Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-04-21

so sorry you can not go, dear, ana ''lt
is too bad, Bertha" and many similar
speeches from the girls, and a gracefully
wordcd expression of re gret from Mr..
Hunt, [ listened to the carriages roll
down the avenue, which bore the mer-
ry party away, then threw myself upon
the lounge in the darkened library, and
to WOO "tired Natures sweet
restorer, balmy sleep" But the obsti-
nate goddess was not in wooing mood,
and for more than an hour she refused
to visit me but at last from sheer wea-
riness, l fell asleep. How long [ slept
[ know not. When awoke, Cousin Ran
dolph sat by my side, brushing away a
few saucy flies with bunch of lilies,
which he held in his hand, and whose
delightful fragrance filled the whole
room.
''Are you my guardian angel p ask
ed, laughing, 80, where did you get
those beautiful lilies %
''One question at time, if you please
Miss" he replied. "Angels are seldom
represented without wings, believe, yet
l may be one you entertain unawares
AS for the flowers, l got them at Mrs.
Fanshaw's, as Percy and Maud had just
returned from the pond where they had
been gathering lilies | was surprised
to find you at home. When | heard of
the picnic, | supposed of course you were
one of the party, so 1 sauntered into the
library to solace myself with book un-
til your return,-when 10 found you
sleeping as soundly as the fairy that
went to sleep and slept hundred years. !"
"And you are the prince destined to
break the enchantment; 1 said. '.How-
ever, I had no notion of taking so long
a nap as that | should have been one
of the picnicers but for my abominable
headache, which, thanks to my long rest,
has entirely deserted me l believe
"You are better then p
"Yes, and in just the mood for sto-
ry, as usual, Randolph; so please tell
me the love story you promised me last
week. | have puzzled my brain in vain
about the 'fairest of women, you spoke
about; but | am sure | can't possibly
conceive who it can be, since you tolo
me it was not Miss Snyder" | said.
There is one fairer than Miss Sny
der in my eyes, Bertha" he said, gently
taking my hand in his. "For many
years 1 have loved this one-I have seer
her change from a beautiful child, int
fairer girl, and, at last, mature int
that best gift of God, noble woman
| have watched her mind gradually de
veloping its beauties, like some rar
flower, slowly unfolding its petals, unit
at last we behold it with admiring eyes
, perfect, full, complete
''And you have loved her so long an,
never told me, I said reproachfully.-
"How does she look ?"
81 cannot describe her Bertha, you
[ who have oftenest seen her face, can bes
| tell how she looks said he, fixing hi
5 dark eyes earnestly on my face.
81 2"
S '.Yes, she is very dear friend 9
9 yours Bertha, and | am full of misgi,
' ings, of doubts and fears, lest she wi
; have no answering love to give me, whe
/ l, so many years older than she, offt
l my heart, matured by the fiery ordeal
of suffering and trial, but wholly hers,
!, he answered gravely.
at must be Oracle Norcross, sal
family, ''she is my dearest friend ; b.
) guess she wouldn't refuse you, Cousi
Randolph
n 81 do not think [ shall ask her Be
u tha, for yom, and you only, are the OIL
o want for my wife J; and so much ha,
o I wanted you, | never dared ask you u
e til to-day
30. Randolph T. | cried, and quick
re drawing away my hand, | covered n
[ burning cheeks, over which the tea
N were flowing fast.
"You are angry with me, Bertha dea
< and no wonder It was presumption t
me to expect you to link your brigl
0, young life with mine-and yet, [ low
Il you sol Can you not forgive me a
IN let me be your friend, your helper on
I'd more %
ID 81 am not angry Randolph" I sa
earnestly, 4only your words SO surpris
ID me f; l never thought you cared for !
w as you say you d., and
I'd Bertha, " he interrupted eagerly, SO
a you raising hopes only to dash them
er the ground, or do you, can you love !
y. in return? Tell me darling =
G, His words thrilled my heart. For
#, moment there flashed across my mi
IL the picture of my future life withc
Id Randolph's guiding hand and then ;
on other vision rose before me, the hap
;" years gliding swiftly by, blessed by
m tender love of the noble man by my si
ed and | said quietly
Il am raising no false hopes RI
IT. dolph. | love you better than any {
le. else in the world, and