Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-14

ion. John had never known any Girl. rto
thein. " was q revelation Of the pleasant
| possibilities OF life b. be in such contact
still, his shyness and old habit Of distrvst
hampered and held him back. aWhat ma,
| ever understood woman 2" he asked him.
self 81 don't pretend to. 'Flossy.i in.
deed did have a real glimpse Of her in
that blessed little book Now II some fairy
would just open a door and let me sec the
inside Of Mariou's heart in the same way.
then | should know where | was"
Marion Yes, the imaginary Flossy was
dethronedi the real Marion reigned In her
stead. John, however, was still unconscious
OF his subiugatiom and how long the affair
might bave halted no one can tell, had not
Fate, as she often does, taken the matter
into her own hands.
My brother is coming down for Sun.
day. said Alice, one morning.
Have you brother 2"
"Oh, yes. Have We mover told YOU about
him Poor fellow IL is his first vacation
this summer. We have wished for him SO
often, and now al last he has come"
John watched the sisters curiously. as
they made ready for their walk to the depot
that afternoon. but he did not offer to ac-
company them. "Lucky fellowi" he NUT
tered with q sigh, and fell to gnawing his
moustache sure sign Of uneasness and
emotion.
By-and-hy, they came back. each holding
an arm Of broad-shouldered. mcrrv-faced
youth, who walked between with face Of en-
tire conteutment
My brother Mr.. Singleton" said Alice.
IN her gentle voice as John rose to greet
them.
"lIappy to know you" said the new
conner, shaking hands cordially. "The girls
have written about you til feel as il we
were acquainted. | say, what a beach
Can't We have a sail this evening, Flossy ?"
John started as if shot
thought your name was Marion" he
said, staring confusedly, like one in a dream.
i" Yes, So 10 is" she answered carelessly;
." but my middle name Is Florence, and Tom
called me Floss always when we were little.
lie does now sometimes"
" You really must leave it off, said Alice.
"Flossy is absurd for q grown-up person."
I'm rather fond Of r." remarked Marion
" 1t doesn't sound absurd to me AZ ALL"
MS beautiful" ierked out John, still
absorbed in the suddcnness of his surprise.
Marion looked at him astonished. He felt
himself blush under her gaze, but offered no
explanation, and the subject was dropped.
The real and the ideal rarely combine in
life. When they Do, only one conclusion
seems possible. Events flew rapidly after
this ec'aiaiseHicai The course Of true love
has intervals Of smooth running. for all the
poets may say 10 the contrary. The bright
hunters moon Of that year looked down
upon two extremely happy people, and when
Christmas gladness dawned or earth, it
found them happier still.
lt was on the first delicious evening spent
ia their new home that John broke the ST.
lence and told the tale Of his teasure-trove.
They sat together by the sre-side, and Flossy
turned the worn pages Of the diary with
tender touch
Dear, shabby old thingl" she murmurcd.
Yet It brought US together r.
And to think how | searched for you in
all the shops of the city"
Shops2 Oh, | didn't 60 to the shop,
you know. Aunt Marion died the very
week after ! wrote that, and left me two
hundred dollars because | was named for
her felt so rich to be able to take Alice
to the seashore How little we guessed,
when You came, and we grew TO be friends,
that all that time you had my old diary in
your pocket 70
"And how little guessed that the
Flossy | had hunted for and dreamed
about was close at hand You'll make me
Toms pudding some day, won't you, al
though apples are expensive p"
Marion raised the little green book to her
| lips and kissed it. Then she kissed john
| Haper's Bdsdr.