Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-04-14

ty locks lightly brushed her sllken curls, |
I started in half-admiration at the con-
trastin the two faces, each rendered more
beautiful by contrast. His eyes intense
ly black, with subtle fascination in
their depths, low, broad, white fore
head, shaded by his hair, black as ra-
ven's wing and proud mouth, whose
curves were not wholly hidden by the
ample mustache and Dora, all wom-
anly beauty, her delicate cheeks flushed
by the faintest pink like the heart of a
shell, lher blue eyes shining like stars,
what lovers lips could do her justice
When Dora rose from the piano and
invited Jack to play, he gracefully seat
ed himself at the instrument, saying as
he did SO, she could scarcely expect an
artistic performance from one whose fin
gering had probably not been improved
by his camp life on the fields of India.
At first he struck few rambling
chords by way Of prelude, then running
his fingers lightly over the keys he play
ed a beautiful little melody, bringing
before the minds eye some little noun
tain stream, ripping and gurgling over
rocks and stones, tumbling down some
rocky ravine and singing its way to the
sea ; then came the music of birds [
could almost see the green trees sway
ing with the gentle summer breeze, and
on their branches beautiful birds, carol
ing as though for very joy then. soft
green fields stretched out before my de-
lighted gaze We were perceptibly leav-
ing the fairy place to which he had first
introduced US, and over the plains we
were quietly moving, though l still
plainly heard the distant murmur of the
mountain stream; | could hear the
tinkling bells of the homeward moving
herd, and the merry whistle of their
driver then, at length, softly to my
ears came silvery clear, the notes of the
shepherd boys flute as he executed de-
licious little refrain far away among the
mountains; the sun was going down.
all nature was in state of tranquil
beauty.
| am not imaginative, as | told you,
but so wildly had Jack portrayed the
scene | had not failed to see it all-and
Dora, keenly appreciating the music, was
in tears. Without seeming to notice her
!. emotion, Jack paused moment and then
sang with voice full of sweetness, a
beautiful old love song, fitting finale to
the pastoral scene he had shown u.s.
/ As the music ceased, Jack rose and Dora,
with the tears still glistening in her
eyes, extended her hand and expressed
her delight in his performance in nc
: measured terms He flushed with pleas.
: ure, and murmured some complimentary
| reply at this unexpected demonstration
t on her part.
e Soon after, we babe our fair hostess
good night, and Jack praised my fu
;, ture bride without stint, which of cours,
9 both pleased and fattered me.
Don't lose your heart old fellow"
. said jocosely, as we were about retiring
r for the night, and he was still praisins
n Dora, ..it would hardly do for two broth
n ers to worship at the same shrine
d "Never fear, | shall not enter the lis
: yet" he answered, stroking his silk,
I mustache. Egad Though 1 believe
: did strike chord in her nature yo
n never have touched. | didn't suppos
e the little creature was so easily affected.
d ''You mean your playing, | suppose,
e answered coldly. 81 never credite
% you as Appolo,s most favored follower
'e but it seems the gods have made yo
l. thus you deserve the laurel crown g
II fair Dora's hand s.
d He turned sharply and looked at m
1t a moment-fre in his dark eyes-the
10 turned away as abruptly, smile ON h
lips, and quietly bade me good night
| | heard his clear voice singing as /
ID went through the hall, ''True as tt
If stars shall my love be to thee" A vii
m and sudden fear crept into my heart fl
= a moment ''had he indeed touched
h. chord that |, in my great love had ne
L er been able to reach % | resolutel
W silenced the voice in my heart. | trus
r, ed Dora my betrothed, with the trust
to perfect love.
u Jack occasionally called with me
Mr.. Kent's, but Dora seemed strange
. shy in his presence, usually leaving hi
% for her sisters to entertain, and man
7d Testing most unaccountable reser,
he when he was near. Cne evening. hoy
III ever, Elizabeth deeply engaged me
as some discussion (for which the lady W
er famous) and Jack and Dora were lie
De to themselves. Dora declared her in
ye bility to comprehend the knotty questi'
&c under discussion. and at Jacks sugge
It. tion they wandered into the conservato
e to see beautiful specimen of some ra
plant. A half hour later when Eliz
Is beth and went in search of them,
'ef very pretty tableau greeted our eyes,
lg' Dora in her soft white robes looki
like a nymph among the flowers, h
as head gracefully inclined toward ia
ed who was placing wreath of fragra