Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-08

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would know which was anything to you,
Miss Lint or l. Aud | am tired of it aud
you may 60 if you like. | shant. From
this day, Arthur Heathwood, take your
choice between those Limits and me-
d" Good heavens, Milly" cried Arthur.
| think | must be dreaming
He was so unconscious Of having done
anything to hurt her feelings so sure Of
bis love for her and his utter Indifference
for Miss Lint so shocked and surprised,
that she must have forgiven him, could she
have read his heart but she did not She
looked away from him out over the buck.
wheat field, aud said no more just then.
/ thought you we're enjoying yourself
so much" said he. 81 thought you had
quite taken to Fanny Lint
You were mistaken" said Milly and
I've said what mean
"And you will not 60 with me?"
"No."
Well then said Arthur, ' must 60
alone. The ladies are ready on the hotel
piazza, and | can't disappoint them"
"On no account" said Milly.
So goodbye, Milly," said Arthur.
Mily said nothing in reply; but when
be had walked slowly away some little dis
tancc, she called him back.
"Mr. lleathwood :"
He ran back
8" might as well tell you" said Milly,
"that prefer you should not call again.
You'll have more time for Miss Lint"
"Mily ~
Well, sir"
81 thought you loved me-
Perhaps l did once. | don't now"
"Mlly, you can't mean that"
do, sir. absolutely hate you"
He gave her one look, and went without
another word. And she walked back into
the house, and up into her own room,
where she almost cried her eyes out, but
where she packed up his ring, lock of his
hair, one or two little presents, and put
them in an envelope addressed to Mr..
Arthur Heathwood."
When he should have returned from
boating with Miss Lint, these should be
handed him. lie should see that she could
resent slight properly,
She waited until the lunch hour at the
hotel had come. Then, knowing that the
Limits would never miss that meal, she call.
ed little boy, and confded the package to
his care, instructing him to deliver it into
Mr. Heathwood's own hands
Then, very, very miserable, she sat upon
the porch watching for his return; wonder.
ing whether Arthur would say or write
anything.
After long delay, she saw the little
dusky figure on the road 1t came on
rapidly, strange thing for black Tom
1t had something white in its hand. An
answer. Her hair, and little pin-oushion,
and watch-guard, in another packet, per.
haps. Then it was all over indeed.
Tom came up and stood before her, his
eyes rolling in his head He stretched the
package toward her. 1t was the one she
had sent. Couldn't give it to dat genie.
man, no how" said he.
"Why not2"
Tom looked at her askance.
"Nobody couldn't give him muffin
" Eh what do you mean 2"
"Dat dar little blue boat, Miss Milly
what you all sails in sometimes"
"Yes. Go on"
"Wel, dem ladies was goin' out in it
long of him. But day didn't; staid tC
hum and he went alone. Aud he's drown
ed dead, and dey's fotchcd him up out OIL
the ribber. Aud de boats upside down
and hole in de bottom, Aud-Oh, Lor
Old Missy, hurry"
And Aunt jenkins hurried out Just il
time to catch Mily's iainting form in hel
arms.
A messenger Of more responsibility thar
Tom was sent to the hotel at once. There
was no doubt about the matter. The little
blue boat had been found among the rapid,
and little while after, the body also had
been found. Miss Lint was in Mysteries
and Mrs. Lint almost distracted And tn,
awful thing that had been brought dripping
into the house, lay in an empty room, un-
der white sheet
And this, Milly said to herself, was the
end of her cruel jealously. He had never
been anything but kind and tender. Sh,
had done all the wrong. Oh, if she could
but die
All the long, bitter, maddening Afternoon
she lay with her head on her aunt's lap
She even told the old lady of her remorse
aud the good soul tried to soothe her by
telling her that " "courting people Away,
titled little But nothing could or ever
would give her any peace, Milly thought
And she sobbed until, utterly exhausted
she dropped asleep. Then she began
to dream-dreadful dreams about little
blue boats, in which they sailed together
Arthur and herself And she grew angry
at him, and pushed him into the river OF
he fell in and she could not save him.
"Oh, my God, have mercy on me y
cried Milly, starting out Of her sleep at
last. =" 1t is too horrible I've murdered
him"
"Mlly, said voice, "Millyw And
some one who was weeping softly knelt
down by her couch,
"Milly, you DO love me little then p
She looked up, and gave scream. Her
first thought was, this is a spirit; but stout
flesh aud blood arms encircled her, and two
living lips pressed her forehead her cheek
her chin, her quivering mouth,
"My darling !" said Arthur, :" am safe
aud we'll. never went out 10 the boat.
The ladies declined to 60. Mrs. Lint fell
suddenly i'll, and her dughter would not
leave her; and poor Collins was there on
the shore, and loaned the boat to him and
went of into the woods by myself, At the
hotel they thought the body found was mine.
1t is awfully beaten and bruised. And
the poor fellow was just my hight, and
they tookSme for ghost when | came
back, unconscious of all that had happened.
Oh, Milly, my darling almost wished
myself in that poor fellows place until
your good aunt met me at the door, and