Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-08-27

scarlet lips that were equally pretty whether
scornful, tender or grieved in their ex-
preston and the whole surrounded by a
cloud of loose golden hair.
No, no." said Miss Hammond, shaking
her little fist at the beauty in the glass,
he'd better not have tempted me, for
shall make him sorry il he comes. really
cannot help it," and then she sat down to
her desk, and wrote these lines on a sheet
Of tinted paper;
Come Thursday evening You have
the address, Eva" and folding them address,
ed the envelope to the Rev. Herbert Staf-
ford, II West - street, - city. This
done she took another survey of herself in
the glass, and curled up again on the rug to
dream.
Eighteen months before this evening,
| Herbert Stafford and Eva Hammond had
met at the house Of mutual friend, and
for several weeks were constant companions.
She was just from school, and he fresh from
his studies at the University both were
prepared TO throw themselves with ardor
into the pleasant recreations of that golden
summer time. Eva's exceeding beauty ap-
pealed, through his artists eye to his
aesthetic nature, while her innocent way Of
confding to him her longings after higher
life appealed to his spiritual nature. I'm
consciously y to him, she was constantly draw
ing him out of bis natural reserve and lead
ing him to think for her benefit. He be-
lieved he discovered in her, beneath many
faults of education and association, the
germs Of a noble womanhood while she was
discovering that she did reverence to this
mans character and wished she could be
something like him. Thus they both
dreamed on, until Eva with a woman's
quick perceptions, awakened to the fact
that she held in complete thraldom Her
bert's heart and affections. Somehow il
was pleasant awakening, and she took no
pains to mar the dream; and when he too
made the discovery, and asked her to be a
country parsons wife, she said "Yes,
because the summer days were not over
aud she found them too sweet and peasan
to wish a change.
The time came when they had to sepa
rate, and for while Eva believed sb
really meant all she let Herbert dream Of
but in the gay whirl Of city life, Miss Ham
mond commenced to view the matter i
another light. She thought she could fin
greater happiness in tho exoitemost as'
adulation that surrounded her in the city
than in q love 10 cottage with the younl
minister. When Eva told him this thu
blow to Herbert was terrible. In vain h,
pleaded with her /; Miss Hammond grew
very scornful and refused to see him
the pain had entirely gone, he met Eva ac-
cidentally in the street. He knew that he
had not schooled himself to meet her quite
calmly, and so avoided her look Of recog-
milton. The white face sent a thrill OF
pain through Ega's heart, and to pay for
being so silly, she became very angry at
him for stunning the recognition. Since
then they never had met, aud both believ-
ed the other had forgotten. 1t is not Sc
easy to forget All, if it only was!
The morning after Miss Hammond re-
ceived Herbert Stlafford's note she mailed
her reply, and awaited aDxiously the com
ing Of the evening. But the evening
brought no Herbert, and Eva went to he
room with a strange, sickening feeling o.
disappointment. "What can all me p
she asked inpatiently of the face 10 tn,
glass, as she noticed how flushed he
cheeks were, and that two large dropi
were gathering in the velvet eyes. "Well
} if he does come, he shall suffer all th'
more for disappointing me- and Miss liam
mond dashed the tears away proudly, an'
afterwards went to bed and cried herself t
sleep.
Friday morning Eva went down town Il
procure some new music, and was Just leav
ing the store, when one Of the package
slipped to the floor. A gentleman who ha'
been playing on a piano near, sprang from
his seat and replaced the roll in her arms
saying
, "Allow me, Miss Hammond"
The color rushed to Eva's face, and sh
forgot to be careless and naughty, or be
=. witchingly pleasant; but only murmured con
: fusedy, Thank you
May | walk with you" asked Nj
Stafford, holding the door open for her t
pass through.
: Eva said be might and they went out to
gether.
0 q" How is it," asked Eva, regaining he
r composure, 4" hat | find you in Nh"
He smiled rather sadly as he answered
g &" I'm very fond of music, you know, an
g am selecting an instrument for my ne'
home. Perhaps you've not heard Of m
D appointment to Ferndale ?"
!, mo" replied Miss Hammond, trying t
' be very calm, and determined to kno'
the worst at once; " | suppose you az
d married. as you speak of keeping house -
;, "Not yet," and il Miss Eva had bee
a watching his face she would have seen tha
G he WINGED little under her questioning.
b Miss Hammond could DO charmingl
{ talkative generally, but somehow she faile
a signally this morning, and for mere want {
something else to say, she demanded pre-
- entity
n "Why did you not come last night
y expected you"
I, :" Expected me % said Mr. Stafford, i
unassumed astonishment; "how did yo
4 know was in the city 2"
4 "Why, your note. Of course" explaine
Q Eva, equally amazed.
" But I've never sent you any note,' re
0 piled Herbert, quietly.
I Miss Hammond's glance met his for
!. moment, then dropped and her face grey
4 scarlet with modification as she answere
3 hastily,
' 81 don't understand it at all; | hav
I made a great mistake"
o In that momentary meeting Of the eye
\ Herbert had discovered something beside
8 anger something that spoke of dsappoini
ment and regret, and on the impulse of tn
Q moment he spoke
o 81 am glad you expected me. Wi
a you expect me tonight? May come ?
a Miss Hammond said "yes."
a That day at dinner Mr.. Hammond turn
cd to his daughter, saying
al EVA, l met your old school friend Ilai