Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-08-04
Papa wouldn't believe in such sud.

HaTK lhey re calling to us
$50 they are" said Elsie; and she
actually kissed me of her own accord,
ere we went back to the parlors, where
our appearance was greeted with much
merriment, and was made the subject of
more sly jokes than good taste seemed
to me to warrant. Elsie took it very
coolly.
Did Mr.. Van Dyck propose to you?"
asked Julia.
8s'Of course he did. You see, Mr.
Van Dyck. | made bet I could get
you to propose !"
Could believe my ears? How had
my idol become clay
The guests shortly after departed,
and when good-nights had been spoken |
we all retired to our rooms.
Elsie pressed my hand when no one
observed US, and whispered:
s.Dream of me, dearest!'
1t was long before l slept that night
for excitement. lay awake, haunted
by the vision of a dazzling creature in
scarlet satin, varied now and then by
another vision-that of fairy-like lit
tie lady in white, with great gentle
eyes.
l was frightened. too, at the thought
of my own precipitancy, and very doubt
full as to what my father would say to
Elsie as my wife. | could not deny,
even to myself that she was forward
and bold.
1t was, as may be imagined. with
very mixed emotions that | descended
to the breakfast-room the next morning.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arundel greeted me cordi-
ally. and soon Miss Arundel appeared,
looking very fresh and sweet in her
white morning dress. with clusters of
scarlet geranium blossoms in her hair
and at her throat.
l was more impressed by her than /
had been the evening before, and won
dered how had failed to appreciate her
extreme beauty and loyeliness.
We were enjoying an animated con-
versation when the door opened, and a
tall youth of fifteen or thereabouts en-
tered the room.
My son Fred. Mr.. Van Dyck." said
The lad advanced and seized my hand
in hearty clasp, and-no !-could it
be? The dark eyes. the saucy smile, the
clustering curls had all belonged to my
Elsie of last evening.
If any doubts remained, they were
S dispelled by burst of laughter, in
which all were fain to join.
1--WE don't, fear, meet as lovers this
!, morning, Mr.. Van Dyck 2" queried the
}, impressible youth. Nevertheless. you
:, need not look daggers at me. Come
!, now, confess that took you in capital
ly. You never dreamed Elsie was Fred %
d Indeed, no. l agreed, joining in
the laugh, although it was at my OWL
r expense. 81 never was so completely
u sold.'
S 81 shall teach Julia how to manage
IS such affairs, continued the elated Fred
# '.She has much to learn yet. No one
! ever proposed to her on an evenings ac
i. quaintance, I'll be bound. Don't lool
). SO chop-fallen, old fellow; | dare say
I'd be as big a fool over as pretty girl
\ Rouge and satin gown add greatly t,
g my beauty"
go you puppy p cried his father, il
lie an interval of choking laughter. 'Hav
=, dore with your nonsense, and take you
seat at the table. Had dreamed yo1
ID would have carried your joke SO far, Il
: not have humored it. Mr.. Van Dycl
r, will think we have broken all the law
l. of hospitality"
..Not at ALL I murmured. 81 en-
IN joy good joke" My polite answe
0, was made despite agonies of morti6ca
!; ton. My smile was intended to dis
at arm the suspicion that might be chew
l. ing the cud of bitter medicine be
meath it my soliloquy was, "What
y precious fool have made of myself |
s. Silently | determined to leave tn
scene where / lad enacted so sorry
ed part at the earliest opportunity.
"I'll take Mr.. Van Dyck IN tow" al
ed nounced Master Fred. He shall benz
fit by my rowing and billiards, after al
r; It will be better for you, Mr.. Van Dycl
than to leave you to Julia's music an
| croquet, which often proves snares
ed the unwary As to her embroider,
that's even worse, for into it she weav,
er hearts,
I Don't be SO silly, Fred suggeste
Hn Julia, blushing deliciously.
Breakfast proceeded pleasantly enoug
IN and every one seemed bent on makir
me feel at home. and in dispelling al
ng disagreeable impressions | might hay
received from late events. They su
or ceeded so we'll that before the meal VI;
all over | felt quite at ease.
Somehow didn't leave in such h
ity haste as in my first moments of chagr
ass | had determined, but fingered on fro
day to day. When at last / did tai
III my departure, it was with the unde
= standing that should return soon al