Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-04-21
Written for the Monitor.
why Cousin Randolph
Never Married.
BY A. G. DENNISON.

reclaimed Elizabeth in tragic tones.-
Dora colored painfully and glanced at
ack who was merrily replying to Eliza
,eth's witticisms. Suddenly, as before,
hat fear of losing Dora's love flashed
through my brain but as before stur-
lily rejected it.
Early in the summer, important busi-
less called me to Paris. was vexed
With the business, vexed with myself,
md vexed with an unyielding Fate, that
;ook me from Dora AS | kissed her
good BY she made pretence Of she'd
ding few tears, but she was not half
as sorry at my departure as my exacting
heart would have her. laughingly
babe Jack take care of Dora, as |
pressed his hand at parting. He gra-
ciously nodded assent, an odd smile
crossing his face as he did SO.
Ny business unavoidably detained me
far beyond my expectations, and, be-
sides, harrassed and perplexed me be-
yond measure. received occasional
letters from Dora, and, although dainty
little affairs, they were pitifully short.
She wrote that she detested letter writ
ing and [ must excuse their brevity.
Now and then an epistle reached me
from Jack, full of grand fourishes, curves
and the like. The first of these had for
its theme, Dora ; and my head was as
full of my Dora, as was David Copper
fields with his little charmer.
Dora wrote Jack was such charming
companion. He was delightfully."- un-
ceremonious-ran in at all hours they
rode, walked, and sang together, and she
was positive she should die of ennui du,
ring my absence, were it not for Jack
But after time her letters grew very
brief, and were entirely silent regarding
Jack.
cat last she is tired of him and longs
for my return" | thought triumphantly,
although she did not hint at being wea-
ry of my absence.
Two months passed away. At length
my business was accomplished, and ]
was en- route for England. Resolved te
give them all surprise. l had not hint
ed at my return in my letters for sever
al weeks, and thought with thrill O.
joy, of the surprise and pleasure Dor;
would feel at seeing me so unexpectedly y
When | arrived at the station in D.,
ordered my luggage sent down to Hiltol
Hall, while I walked directly to Mr.
Kent's despite my travel-soiled appear
ance.
1t was evening when [ entered tn
beautiful grounds of the fine old demesu
whose walks [ had often trod by Dora
side; already the full orbed moon thre1
her silvery rays on my pathway ever
breeze came laden with the aroma Q
choice flowers, and luxuriant shrubs
and the soft, musical plash of the foun
tain reached my ear.
| had nearly reached the house whe
the sound of familiar voices caused m
to pause. Itwas Dora who was approach
ing unconscious of my presence. l coul
distinguish her silvery accents, and he
companion was-Jack. AS they DIRE,
nearer. [ distinctly heard Dora say, n
will soon return, and then this life mus
end dear Jack"
"Never, Dora he broke in passion
ately. "You do not love him, you sa
you do not you will ruin your happ
ness and mine by a marriage that woul
be but mockery !''
''But l am bound by a promise, an
no Kent ever broke promise;' 81
said proudly.
"By Heaven p he cried inpatient
You will give your promised hand
your husband instead of your heart, an
perhaps my phlegmatic brother will a.
cept the gift which you will lay upe
the marriage altar with thankful heart
| clutched at the bushes as the
words came to me, but stood still in Il
} path they had almost reached me no,
) "Ah Randolph" she said softly,
f dreamed | loved him and was happy
5 my dreams.
"And | disturbed those fancies, n
$ fair lady! How sad it should be thus
1 he said sarcastically.
e 80. Jack p she exclaimed. .swhy W
a you torture me !! You know you ha
e made me love you, when | was pledg
i to another. Have you no pity for n
faithless, untrue, as | have been for yo
+ sake %
I 'sIt were better We had never met
J said Jack, eoldly. ''You have been fal
t once, and how do | know you viii I
e be again ?''
h She was abont to reply, when ST
h den turn brought them face to face wi
# me "a low cry from Dora, and m,
h tered exclamation from Jack was
d only greeting She was very pale. a
. her eyes had lost their sparkling beau
and had a wild, excited look; and
,s small mouth was compressed as thou
in secret agony.
| looked at her steadily for nome