Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-02-06

riam, Charley. Here this affair has been
going on six months since promised TO keep
your secret, and you have not told me a
word about IL. But to-day Rosa came here
and tried to talk with me about you. But
as had promised you not to talk on the
subject, | was obliged to evado it. Poor
girl, she looked so surprised and distressed
that almost cried on the spot, and after she
went out did cry. don't think you know
how much she loves you nor how badly she
feels about it, "
Here drew the note of invitation out and
handed it to Rachel After she had read II
through, | said
shall accept this invitation, Rachel.
You have been good sister and kept my
secret splendidly. Now want you to trust
me and keep it little longer still. | know
that Rosa suffers much, but she is not alone
in suffering. cannot tell you anything
more now, but you know it is always darkest
just before day." So Rachel was satisfied,
and felt some relief.
found myself at Col Merriam's at the
appointed hour The Colonel met me with
less constraint than he had ever done before
Rosa had grown still paler than ever, and
when she took my hand on my entrance,
felt hers tremble in my own, although she
made great effort to conceal her feelings and
agitation. But read her face and every
emotion, and understood all, aud was
strongly tempted to break away from my
steadfast purpose. But my good resolution
did not fail me. And so we went to dinner.
Her agitation was so evident during the
whole Of the time that could not help but
suffer almost as much. AT length, when the
meal was over, and we drew back from the
table, COL Merriam said
Come into the library, Mr.. Wallace. l
have something to show you. p"
So l accompanied him into the library and
he closed the door after us.
"Take seat, said he handing me a
chair. Then drawing another chair close
alongside and facing me, he sat down in it,
and placing one hand Familiarity on my arm
he said
"Do you think you are taking a manly
course in regard to my daughter Mr.. Wal
lace2"
"Why, Col Merriam " exclaimed in
the greatest surprise.
"Do you think l have taken any un.
warrantable liberties or done anything
uncivil or uugentlemauly2 Does your
daughter think so, Col. Merriam?"
No, no, not that, Mr.. Wallace. But have
you not seen that she is growing poor and
pale? There is no use in attempting to dis
guise it any longer. My daughter has be-
come strongly attached to you and this sus-
pense which you have kept her in is terrible
to her.
els it possible, Col. Merriam, that your
daughter feels like this towards ms9"
exclaimed in still greater astonishment.
81 can only answer your question by ask
ing another, Mr.. Wallace. Is II possible
that you have failed to discover that this is
her state of mind?"
"Col Merriam. do you wish me to be can.
did with you? ?" | replied, my manner chang
ing instantly.
!" Most assuredly do, Mr.. Wallace. Ny
daughters happiness, perhaps even her life
hangs on it.
"Well, then Colonel, will be candid. You
could not trust to my honor not to take ad
vantage Of my relation to your daughter
So you came in between US as spy. Their
, relinquished my purpose towards her, and
resolved to pay my attentions to you, as you
see have done. As you are so many year,
older than l, thought it would be most re-
special for me to wait and let you propos,
to me, and you have kept me in as great sus.
pense as have your daughter. +"
As | said this, Col. Merriam gave me such
keen, searching look, that / knew he nov
understood me for the first time. Giving me
familiar slap on the shoulder, he ex
claimed
"You are strange man, Mr.. Wallace
but noble one. | understand the meaning
Of all your conduct now, and honor yor
for your manliness "
"Col. Merriam, my honor is everything L
me, and when you doubted that in the way
you did, resolved to make no more advan'
ces towards Rosa, until you had opportunit,
to SEQ your error. And resolved not to d,
it even then until you gave your voluntary
approval That was all was waiting for
Much as admired and loved Rosa, shoul,
always have despised myselfif | had take
any less honorable means to secure her affec
tions and l should have forfeited your re
spect also; for your life would always hav
been embittered with the feeling that ha,
taken dishonorable advantage Of your daugh
0 ter and yourself.
$ You are truly marvel of honor, Mr
Wallace Much as love money and woul'
have been pleased to see Rosa marry
5 wealthy man, love such nobleness Of sou
better, and shall be proud Of you as a son
c iu-law. have not had any talk with Ross
a aboutthese things, but had long talk wit
| L.. To- -, al
: to you, and the matter is all arranged. Ye'
o will 90 into partnership with me Tomorrow
Q and accept little gift Of twenty-five thou,
q and dollars capital to start with: Rosa wi
: have as much more. So if you must persit
!. in your original purpose to propose to he
| why 60 and do it now, and God bless you
/ my dear fellow.
| 1t is very singular what's great differenC
o a slight change Of circumstances will max
;, in one persons feelings towards another.
a sprang up from my chair and grasped til
Q Colonel's hand, and L can truly say that
1 never had enjoyed the Colonels society ha
t as much as did at that moment. l coul
v have put my arms around him and hugge
J. him, II 1t had not been robbing Rosa. II
IS Colonel appreciated my feelings and took hi
3. hat and went out saying:
GOOD by, Charley | am going to II
II opera. "
10 And what do you think l did then Frank
1t Why, | went into the parlor and sat dow
IF in the great stuffed rocking chair. Then
d drew Rosa into my lap aud kissed her as an
l. man has right to do by his lawful wife
!. the state OF Massachusetts She laid he
i. head on my shoulder, and wspt for whOl
F." hour from sheer happiness. That was a
to the popping Of the question necessary. Al
ID this was the way we were married by de
y tiny.
le As Charley Wallace ended bis story
:. kk,orr ooan thu lihrorv door anil call,