Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-09-17
Bought With a Price.


them and, pushed into corner, a shabby
little bunch Of monthly roses A pretty,
bright, womanly room books were scatter.
ed about and bits Of needlc-work A piano
stood open opposite the window, with a can
terbury Overlooking with music by the
side. a tiny black dog, all ears and hair,
lay on the rug, and over all the freight
flashed warmly.
Miss Hugo is not in, sir It's past her
time though would you like 10 wait, sir2'
asked the servant.
Yes | am leaving Waltham. Thank
YOU Mr. Briton answered, as the woman
showed him into the fire lit parlor.
She hustled away to get candles. The
visitor, hardly answering Rollo's joyous
greeting, leant against the chimney.piece
pushing back his thick brown hair with one
hand The fire bazcd and crackled, shin
ing over the straight dark figure, the grave,
manly face, the steadIast eyes. Tick,
tick, tick, - went the clock, steadily, slowly,
like the pulse Of fate. The candles were
brought and put on the table, on each side
Of the big round bow Of flowers
Chime, chime, rang the quarter from
the church tower across the road. Mr..
Briton sturted and went TO the window,
pushing back the thick crimson curtains
Very still and quiet was it out of doors
The rowans over the garden gate hardly
moved one graceful branch in the night
air, the old church opposite with It's grave
yard round it, rose gray and beautiful in
the young moonlight.
Over the moor beyond the white road
wound away to Waltham Slowly along
this road came two dark figures lettering
in the autumn night Mr.. Briton dropped
the curtain and came back to the fire.
side.
Tick, tick, went the clock it seemed
to whisper to him, False, false. false" as
the garden gate swung back under the dark
boughs
"Well, goodbye; l shall see you to-
morrow. How long it will seem m
Nonsense ~ answered Miss Hugo's gay
full voice Don't talk to me like that (!
She waved her hand playfully and went
swiftly up the little path. Her old servant
met her at the door
Mr.. Briton is in there, Miss Mildred. "
The young lady raised her straight, dark
brows in calm surprise. She threw her
shawl and hat off hastily, smoothing back
her curly hair with both hands, and went
softly into the little parlor.
hope Rollo has entertained you" she
said, with a bewitching smile this is an
unexpected pleasure, Mr. Briton."
am come to say good-by,' Miss
Hugo" he answered, gravely.
What a disagreeable word. You real.
ly won't return after the holidays, then p"
"That depends upon circumstances.
have had an offer from Mrs. Harold She
wishes me to travel with her son during the
next twelve months"
" And then ~ she said, looking up at
him.
81 haven't decided. | have my fellow
ship and | think | shall take orders"
Poor fellow !"
don't know why you should pity me.
As a fellow of my college, shall get liv-
ing some time, don't know a happier life
if one ought to take that as a test"
l hope you will be bishop, Mr.. Bri.
ton"
"Oh don't | wouldn't be for the
world" said the young man, hastily; ~ am
not at all ambitious"
How we should quarrel ' she an
swered, smiling. would make you am
bilious, whether you like it or not"
Will you try ~ he returned coming
step nearer across the rug.
am tired of teaching" was her an
swer. won't have you for pupil"
" | would be very good he said, in a
low voice
" No, you wouldn't you know you
wouldn't You arc too fond Of teaching
to learn
" Listen to me, please he urged.
" | won't listen. know what you are
going to say, and it is better left unsaid.-
VIII you have cup of tea | will call
auntie down to propitiate the proprieties."
" | don't want any tea. | am not going
to be treated politely by you, Mildred"
" | am not going to treat. you politely -
she said, as she came back to the rug, laugh
ing" don't be frightened" She stood op-
posite, still laughing, her beautiful face
dimpling and sparkling.
" Mildred" said Mr.. Briton, " | will
speak"
'' No, you won't Gowith Fred Harold
on to the Continent for twelve months, and
III stay here, trying to make my pupils
understand what music means. When you
come back | will listen TO you and shall be
able to answer"
4" Now, Mildred"
No. And you mustn't call me Mild
red, sir. Do as tell you, as an earnest OF
good behavior in future"
| may never come back-I may die
abroad"
Requiescat in pace. You can't make
me serious, Mr.. Briton. You will come
back welded to some alarming Italian wo.
man"
"Very likely" he said, bitterly.
Certainly it is; or | may marry some
red-haired German professor. won't an
swer for myself"
Z" Or perhaps" Mr.. Briton did mol
finish his sentence Hebent down to pull
Rollos cars, and did not see the dull flush
that covered Mildred's face.
Don't you think we have talked
enough ?" she said. A" want my tea, and
am tired"
"Well, / will go; shan't see you again
Mildred. Harold will join me in London
if 90 with him."
"Good.by, then; shall miss your voice
in the choir, Mr.. Brton--I hope your sue
cessor in the school will have a good tenor
He held her hand as she spoke.
"Twelve months is long time" he said
" Give me something that will be link
with these happy days"
"To keep my memory grcenP Have ont
Of these flowers. Take your choice
Mo- give me one"
She drew the bowl towards her.
"These geraniums are too bright for your
present state Of mind, am afraid. Yor
don't like heliotropes ? What bad taste
viii you have one Of these roses ?--they
are half dead, though"
Never mind--I like them best. They
have grown in the air and the sunshine"
There, then; and now you really mus
CO." She went to the door with him, bid
ding him good-by with gay smile.