Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-07-09

the other.
81 told you not to do this" said, turn.
ing on him sharply, as soon as we were out
side.
al will not let you take that long walk
alone, he said, If all the busy tongues in
the church wag at u.s."
So he had heard the gossip too, aud did
not care for it, was secretly too much
pleased that he should, az it were, st all
the church at defiance for my sake, that |
did not give him the scolding intended
"And, after ALL thought, "his coming
out Of church with me was less noticeable
than his staying in would have been" You
sec | had completely lost sight Of the deep
reason had for requesting him not 10 90
with me.
So | only said. There is not the small
est danger" And then | slipped my hand
into his arm, aud he walked OF as usual.
But we hal very uuusua conversation
for Richard told me that he loved me, and
asked me to be his wife was startled,
almost frightened for be was vehement,
aud my brain was in a whirl with the new
thoughts he had put in IT, had some
times wondered if ever would have an offer
Of marriage, aud who would make It., and
perhaps it is strange that never thought
Of the two young men who were most
attentive to me. But their attentions had
always been so brotherly, and | had known
them so long.
did not ask myself now if | loved him,
it seemed such n strange thing that he
should love me. That was all could think
Of Richard kepttalking on. trying to win
word from me- Scripture sentences al.
ways came rcady 10 my mind and ! finally
murmured, more to myself than to him,
" BE not uncqualy yoked with unbelievers.'
But he caught the words: &" was afraid
that would be your feeling, Mary" he
said. Il will not argue the point with
you now, or quote other Bible phrases,
such as the unbeliovng husband being won
by the conversation of the wife; but am
sure that, at some other time, can CON
vince you that my not being professor Of
religion should not stand between us. All
that ! want TO know is If you love me.
Love is the best thing in the world dear
est, aud your words give me hope, for, if
you did not care for me little you would
not have thought Of any barrier there might
be between u.s.
I did love Richard had always low
ed him But the kind Of love be was now
asking for knew nothing about. could
not have told whether loved him in that
way or not, IL my life had depended upon it.
But, turning aside from my spiritual view
Of the matter, and looking at it in the
worldly light in which he wished me to, |
found barrier there al-o. Something did
stand between us even then. II was Ed
mond Bart II seemed almost as If was
looking into his eyes and that they were
telling me that any word Of love might say
to Richard would be sore heart to Ed
moud. And yet, could rot hurt Richard.
So | thought it best to speak out frankly
part OF what was in my heart.
al have always looked upon you, you
know, Richard. as sort of brother, and
cannot think Of you in this way all at once
1t startles me so.'
Ny voice tremblcd | expect, for | was
near crying, aud Richard said, soothingy
Never mind, dear Mary, there is plenty
Of time. Don't worry over what | have
said. Let everything be as it was between
us. wanted to let you know my feelings
towards you; and sometime you will get to
know your own heart better. shall not
trouble you with this subject again for a
long time"
Richard meant well and his words did
sound comforting but one can't coax
trouble out Of sight, you know and this,
my first love affair was trouble to me for
a long time 1t was not the joyful thing
had imagined a love affair to be. had
not taken into account that in everything
there is a conflict between right aud wrong,
They tell me that now it is the doctrine
that in all such matters the feelings are the
safest guides. How can this be true if
the heart is deceitfu above all things,
and desperately wicked ?" And yet, per.
haps God docs lead US sometimes by our
feelings alone don't know how this
may be, but no such doctrine was held
among those with whom | was brought up.
We were never 10 forget that we had our
salvation TO work out with fear and trem-
bling " that our duty to God was the first
consideration in everything and that we
must bring every earthly matter to His
fooistoo and seek His audience. This was
the faith in which tried to walk; aud, If
failed to DO what was right, can't help
thinking that the fault must have lain
somewhere else than in the old faith
That was Tuesday night When Sunday
came, bright aud clear, dressed myself
for church, all in new attire. wore
puco.colored Leyautine for which | had
paid dollar and half yard, but It only
took eight yards to make dress, and
Levantine lasted for years. twas plainly
made, Without trimmings, and with narrow
lace ruflles in the neck and sleeves. | had
plain silk parosol TO match the dress
white silk gloves, and white silk stockings,
and black kid slippors. All this. though
new. was in nv usual style. but in nv bon.
net made a change. / was tired of the
straight, white, untrimmed shirred silk
bonnets had worn every summer for years
and wears and SO, that season. had given
seven dollars for an English Dunstable
double straw. This was a high price. but
| knew | could wear il for several summers
with bleaching and doing up Itwasmade
in the straight Methodist fashion. and nv