Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-05-07

Ralph left him and did think of il. but
not to alter his resolution. lie pitied bis
father, but loved his chosen one too dearly
to desert her
Colonel IIoughton thought, too. lie
did not close his eyes, and as morning
dawned he rose, determined to try and in.
duce Milly in some way, cost what it might,
to release his son.
Milly was aware Of the scene between
the father aud son, and was consequently
in deep distress. A good, worthy girl,
she was, possessed Of fnc character and
disposition, cOmely in personal appearance,
and IN no way inferior to any Of the shin
ing lights in society, save her position,
which poverty forced her to. In this very
position she displayed her worth, for rather
than be dependent upon her poor parents,
she had chosen to work. 1t had been
long time before she accepted Ralph's love,
though herself loving him dearly, for she
felt the difference in station, and foresaw
the unhappy consequences he would prob
ably bring upon himself; but all her argu.
ments were overruled.
She was up early this morning, attending
to her duties, when to her intense surprise
she saw Colonel IIoughton approaching her.
When be came up to her he iaid, ab-
rupty.
What folly is this that have found
out about my sou aud your You are in
love, are you2 Pray What docs that mean?
Can you inform me ?"
The spirit Of the girl was aroused.
When she saw the Colonel first approach.
ing the tmid girl trembled but when
he Knocked her 10 this insulting man.
ner, every womanly feeling rose within
her, and drawing herself up with a quiet
dignity which her adversary could not but
admire, she replied
at is not to be wondered at that one
who has never experienced the sensation of
love should ask what it means. 1t is some
thing | cannot well explain; but | wish
could, for | pity you. A man who has
lived to your time Of life, and has never
felt the jIys of love, with no prospect Of
ever feeling them, has lived partly in vain,
for he has never tasted one of the greatest
blessings ever given to mortals on this
earth"
"Whew That takes my breath away"
exclaimed Colonel Houghton. as he survey
ed the proud girl, whom he had considered
so weak, in astonishment. "We'll let that
pass. Answer me frankly. Do you really
love my son, Ralph ?"
81 do" replied the girl, now trembling
in anxiety.
"With all your heart and soul ?"
IL do"
ewould you do anything you thought
would make him happy2"
81 would"
"Do you love him well enough to share
whatever his future may be- whether good
or bad ?"
al do
"Do you love him well enough to give
him up ?"
"Ob, oh, sir | cannot, cannot give him
up! You will not ask this. | love him
too dearly, aud be loves me the same.
will do anything but this. Oh, have mer-
cy on us both"
And the poor girl sank down, aud wept
tears that must have softened a heart,
though it were hard as adamant.
"My dear child" said the Colonel, ten.
derly, STOPPING to raise her up, II do not
ask you to give him up. | wanted to see
how much you both loved each other. |
have seen aud am satisfied. | not only
will not stand in your way, but from this
time recognize your engagement. You are
no longer in my employ, but are member
of my family until your arrangements are
made to be married, after which | shall re-
ceve you gladly, willingly as my daughter.
But here comes Ralph, aud looking very
savage, too. Halo my boy, you are just
in time to dry these tears, but they are
tears of JOY, and it's easily done"
Instead Of drying tears, Ralph only add
what his father had been doing, and if no
other day in the lives of these three was a
happy one, this most certainly was.
The Colonel would not consent to any of
his guests departing until after the marriage
ceremony had taken place. Great was the
surprise among them when all was revealed.
Some carried their heads very high, de-
clariug they would not remain for such
disgraceful proceeding, while the majority
took more common-sense view of it, aud
entered heartily into the preparations.
When the wedding-day arrived, not only
had every one remained, but many more
came aud all who saw the bridal pair had
reason to remember it long afterwards.
No bride ever was lovelier than the
beautiful Milly, and not ope among the many
fair fashionable guests but what might have
been pardoned for being just a little envious.
Yet she appeared in her own simple, art.
less manner, as fresh, and pure and innocent
as lovely flower.
How proud Colonel Houghton was! He
declared he had learned lesson worth
living for, and that too, taught him by one
whom he little dreamed capable Of doing
it. lie was seen so many times going to
kiss the bride, that the bridegroom profess
ed he was getting jealous, and should take
her away where he could have her all to
himself This recalled the Colonel to his
senses, and on the spot be declared the
whole estate their own, only asking that he
might be allowed a small corner to live in,
where he might see their happiness, and
spend the remainder of his days in peace
aud quiet.
Aud so the sober towns. people, when they
finally awoke to the truth Of the matter,
still said that Colonel Houghton was no
ordinary man-but they were beginning to
fnd out that in some things he was extTaor-
dinary.
TO think" said they, "that he should
have that kind heart buried under such
rough voice and manner"
II certainly was an odd thing TO do but
he didn't do it at so very odd time after