Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-12-31


going but went ut once for the nearest fence
Il was high stone wall. and II she were
once on the other side she felt she was safe.
but to reach It was the question.
Fear lent wings to her feet. and she leaped
upon the wall, and fell headlong on the 9th
or side just ms the vicious brute came up to
her.
OF course her berries were spilled, and OF
course she bruised her arm and tore her
dress.
She gathered herself up, and stood looking
ruefully ut the spoiled berries, while the en-
ragged animal beloved on the other side Of
tho wall.
What's to payP" said deep toned voice,
MS Its owner emerged from wood hard by
carrying fishing rod and string OF trout;
81 thought all the fiends of Ercbus were let
loose by tho sound"
mo, only one Of them" said Maude
laughing, though still pale from fright and
pain.
As the gentleman came nearer, she recog-
nized the face that had haunted her dreams
ever since her haying adventure.
She blushed crimson when she remem-
bcred that she was again caught en- dishd-
bile.
In her flight, the old hat had blown of,
and hung by the strings her not had follow
ed suit and her curs were flying in a tangled
mass. and she could not forget that her
dress was torn and her arm soled with
blood aud dirt.
The recognition was mutual, and Judge
Stanley held out his hand cordially. "Wo
have met before think, though am ignor-
ant OF your name, rs doubtless you are of
mine. Pray let us introduce ourselves since
fate secps bound that we shall become bet
ter acquainted. My name is Stanley of
Pennington, now yours if you please"
:" | am Maude Muller" said Maude sim
ply.
DO you know that when first saw you
by the well, with your dripping curls.
named you water nymph. but now l am
half inclined to change it to wood nymph--
but how is thisP | thought you were only
frightened. not hurt" he said rs he eau ght
sight of the torn sleeve and bruised arm
from which the blood was trickling.
1T is nothing sir. ut least not much. fell
on stone rs climbed the wall in my haste.
and like the blackberry girl in the story.
al scratched my arm and tore my clothes,
Yet still did not complain;
And had my hlac cherries been safe.
Should not have cared gTain,'"
said Maude, trying to laugh in spite of the
pain, but her cheek grew white in spite OF
her forttude.
"You really are hurt. Miss Muller; let me
do something Tor you" said Judge Stanley
as he noted her paleness.
l--believe--I AM u little-faint," whis-
percd Maude, staggering 10 seat on the
NOISY knoll.
He seized tho tin cup Maude had with her,
and ran to the brook and brought water to
battle her head until her strength came
back; then he carefully washed the blood and
the dirt from the wounded arm, and bound
it up with his own soft cambria handker-
chief. Maud was shy as frightened bird,
but she could not refuse the attention so del
icatcly offered.
But rs soon rs she had recovered from her
fright and weakness, she persisted in return
ing home.
You aust not refuse my escort. at least
until you are out of sight and hearing of that
belligerent beast, and your scarlet sack,
which might have been the cause of your
first chase, may also attract the notice of
some other vicious brute--that II is very ut.
tractive will affirm" he said galIantly.
She blushingly accepted tho offer, and
during the long walk home. he found his
water nymph had charms OF mind rs well rs
person, aud the proud Judge Stanley be-
came humble enough to sue ms earnestly for
the love Of simple Miudo Muller rs II she
were the proudest lady in the land. lie
forgot his proud sisters and lady moth
or; he remembered only his empty
home. and how he had longed for n true
heart to make 1t a happy one. lie
had found it and determined TO win il. OF
course Maude was frightened, and could not
believe that he was in earnest, but he soon
convinced her OF that fact.
She had heard OftHn enough of Judge
Stanley Of Pennington and knew that his
reputation was of the best. his eyes had
haunted her dreams for weeks, and when he
told her he had loved her at first sight. OF
course she blushed and made a similar con-
fession.
When Judge Stanley broke the news to
his mother and sisters of the young bride
who was soon TO grace his grand home, they
were almost frantic with chagrin. ITO
think that you, Maurice Stanley, who might
have made the best match in town, should
disgrace us all by marrying an obscure
country girl is too much to endure" they
said.
"Maude Muller is no disgrace to the
proudest family in the land" said Maurice
Stanley. "She IS not finished city lady. II
sho was | should not marry her; can bu y
all the parlor ornaments wish. but for n
wife | prefer woman with n heart. which
your city lady, finished a iG mode, is not
troubled with marry to suit myself, not
the public; as my wife, expect her 10 be
treated with respect, in my own family nj
least" he said in n way that they knew that
his decision was final, and there was no mp.
peal.
"Maurice always was peculiar" said his
mother, :" and when his mind is made up
there is no changing it; you had better yield
gracefully, girls"
When Maurice Stanley brought his young
wife home, sho had no cause to suspect that
she was unwelcome to his family who greet.
ed her so cordially.
Years after, when Judge Stanley saw the
rich and worldly Mrs Godfnch ride by in
her giIded carriage, and remembered that she
might have been the mistress of his home
for the asking, he inwardly thanked Heaven
for his escape from her meshes.
And when Maude sometimes on her visit,
home, saw so shuflling by the bloated