The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1875-03-04

returned from Europe, improved iu
beslth, aud auxions 10 see hls adopted
daughter. he knew sbs had growo old
sr bot little do We reflect 90 tie changes
that time must bring, 50 that when in.
qgiring FOR Miss Esteila Gray, (this wss
The name the child bad Hsped when
questioped) A. be waited In the parlor Of
the seminary, a lovely girl OF seventeen
opened the door and entered the room
be could scarcely believe bis eyes
( Yet IL was she indeed the child he bad
left grown into womaubood. Esteila
was seventeen aud Harry Bolton-thirty-
Eve, He was young yet IN look and
I thought. There seemed after all, bat
I little difference between them. Both
felt this, aud their manner towards each
other was more reserved 10 consequence.
But barry was charmed as well A. sur
( prised a lovelier creature never met
biz eyes. As he walked homewsrd he
said to himself:
4 what II, amer ali, have been rearing
wife for myself
Then with bali laugh be muttered:
( No, am too old for her--it IL all fol-
/ ly.
/ Foug or rot, the thought remained, ,-
! lie paid Estella such delicate attentions
as suitors do. He anticipated her every
/ wish and did bis best to appear IN an
agreeable light. Whether she understood
! bim or not hc could not Tell she might
regard him as all indulgenl guardian,
and the thought chafed lin sorely. At
times he hoped, at times he feared, until
calling one afternoon Ga holiday unex-
peetedly, he found Estela tete.a-tete with
u Young friend Ernest Clark. il was
good excuse for intimacy, but tbs Anowl-
edge that Estella had another male friend
so much nearer her own age than him
self, annoyed aud augered Harry. And
! when time after time be saw them to-
gether, his suspicion strengthened. They
loved each other She would wed young
Ernest, and he would only be the middle
aged guardian 10 give her away with his
blessing. The thought once in his mind
rooted itself there, aud at last drove him
beside himself.
will 20 back TO Europe, said he,
will forget her. Love aud wedlock are
not for me.
Aud on the impulse OF the moment, he
ordered his baggage to be packed, took
passage in the next steamer for Europe,
and went to the seminary to bid Esteua
goodbye.
She came in smiling, but his moody
looks made her grave at once. She put
her hand in his and he shook it coldly,
aud sat down beside her. For q moment
he was silent, and then he said:
have come to say goodbye, Estella.
| am going to Europe.
Mr.. BoltonI to Europe? Are you i'll
againl
No.
VIII you stay long?
Forever.
The great tears sweled in Estella's
eyes, and she put her hand on her heart
she evidently could not speak.
would advise your remaining here un-
til you are year older-unless, indeed
you marry before that time. Ia that
case you will, OF course receive the
necessary funds, and certain sum !
shall leave in my bankers hands for that
purpose.
shall not marry, sobbed Estella, there
is no need of any such provision.
Harry smiled sarcastcalIy.
The proposition has not come then? he
said.
Estella's head dropped lower.
lancied you were engaged to this
young Ernest.
Estella sobbed again.
| care nothing for Ernest, nor ne TOT
me. We are mere acquaiutances.
Harry caught her hand
Is this girIish evasion, he asked almost
steInly, or the truth!
Harry Bolton looked into Il le tearfush
ed face, aud took the other lit tic hand,
Estella, he said, do you guess why
was leaving America?
She shook her head.
Because | could not see the irl lovet
married to another. Am too 0. d TO love
EHellai
Oh, no,
Too old TO be loved?
You are not old at all.
> Estells, can you love me;
She made no reply, Harry drew he
closer to him aud repeated the questi On
then the answer came in the lowest, fai ut
est whisper;
! love you better than my life; 4 woul,
kill me TO part with you.
Harry Bolton won bis treasure.
a week after he sailed for Europe, but
not alone, 1t was bis wedding trip, aud
Estella, his youag aud lovely bride, was
with him.
sNIFFLEs' SPREE.