Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-08-22

father, watching his idol Janet closely,
was satisfied, because he saw that she
was happy. But sometimes, when my
domineering temper overlopped even
its ordinary exacting demands on Ja-
nets sweet humility, he would shake
his head and mutter foreboding of the
"wild nature" which 1 had inherited
from my ancestors.
I passed my first vacations abroad.
One excuse after another 1 made, until
two years were gone before came home
again. The welcome then was warm.
My grandfather, whose hair had
whitened wonderfully, leaned heavily
on my arm as he walked up and down
the room. - --,+- r. a---.--
"You see I am changed, Ted; changed
for the worse, in these two years.. But,
Janet-you think Janets changed for
the better don't you, eh?" He looked
anxiously in my face. ,-yv -z7.
My only reply was to bend and kiss
the exquisite dimples that lay like
crumpled rose-leaves in her rounded
cheek and chin. She flushed up splen-
didly, and drew slightly away. 1t was
the first time I had known Janet shy,
and it added keener relish to my ap-
probation, somewhat supercilious, of
her frank and generous country beauty.
Grandfather smiled proudly.
"There's no girl like our Janet !! he
said to me. "She was brought up by
men-women don't train such girls
and she's got a mans courage, mans
will, and mans sense of honor, added
RI xunpaa1,ta ta111 Won n
happy man, Ted, to possess her."
[ acquiesced, with inward supercili-
BUSINESS, thinking my grandfather was
getting childish in his old age. But I
remembered it all afterward, and recog-
nized his wisdom.
One day, late in the afternoon, I got
my horse out, and, promising Janet
that l would be gone but an hour, rode
briskly away over the white, hard, win
ter ground. The cold air set my pulses
bounding; the blood mounted to my
head, and, singing furiously, I rode on
and on. In the outskirts of the town I
CHANGED to meet some acquaintances !;
among them Bert Harrison, college
chum, with his sister. They urged me
to join them, and we rode into town.
We had supper, and music, while Rosa
lind Harrison's beautiful eyes smilingly
invited love into mine. 1 forgot my
promise to Janet. The first red streaks
of early dawn were visible over the
eastern hills when L rode homeward.
The touch of the cold, pine-scented air
on my forehead was grateful.
The first sight that greeted my eyes
| tho notn Topat HuiY,r
towards me. Evidently she had not
slept. Her face was pale, her yester-
days evening dress was not laid off,
and dark shadows underlined her heavy
eyes.
"What up SO ?" 1 cried, with
affected gayety, as I flung myself to
the ground" and waiting for a ride !?
Jump up now, and you shall have one
canter before l put Bess in the stables.
She's dead tired out with her nights
work"
But Janet's only answer was to throw
her arms about my neck with burst of
tears.
go, Ted what a fright you have
given us ; what night I have spent. I
feared an accident. We have had men
securing the hills, but they could find
no trace Of you. Thank God you are
safe home"
led her into the house, soothing her
as well as 1 could. After o few mo-
ments of convulsive weeping, she grew
calmer, and wiped her eyes with peni-
tent kisses. She left me, smiling, and
L was congratulating myself on having
escaped so easily, when door opened,
and my grandfather stood before me
on the landing. One glance at his
shaking white head and stern face as
sured me that the worst was yet to
come. L suppose must have looked
like a guilty culprit, with my wine
flushed face, my w;nd-tossed hair, and
disordered clothes.
Well, sir p He spoke briefly, and
then stood silent, waiting an explana-
tion. @ ~r-r ,,t-.-
81 am sorry to have caused you any
uneasiness," I began, trying at the
same time to be respectful, and to curb
the irritated temper which was born of
my exhausted nerves. ST met some
village friends, and joined them at a
supper in town. quite forgot the
fight of time. This anxiety regarding
me, which you and Janet display, seems
to be wholly uncalled for" N3a.-35
We will leave Janet's name out of
this discussion, If you please" The
old man spoke with quiet dignity ; but
my temper flashed like lightning.
"We will leave it out now and for
ever after, if you like - I flung back,
my prudence all cast to the four winds.
The words must have struck him
hard and heavy, but he made no sign
not then.
His questioning continued, and he
found that had been with the Harri-
sons, and had met Miss Harrison. Very
foolishly I praised her to my grand
father.
"Janetl Janet !" My grandfather
suddenly raised his voice, calling loud.
ly. I stood stupefed with astonish.
ment. In another moment Janet was
by my side, futtering with anxious
solicitude. He took her hands in his,
and, turning her to the cruel light,
studied intently the fair young face
which not even nights sleepless
watching could make less than freshly
lovely. "Janet, my Janet, do you love
this man? Is your true heart bound
up in him, my girl? Alas, alas," he
added, as, blushing and sobbing go,
grandpapa |" she hid her pure young
face in his bosom. He held it there,
and kissed the bright brown curls in Q
passion of fierce tenderness. Then he
turned to me:
"I forgive you this once, for the sake
of my girl, who, God pity her loves
you. But, mind you, only this once