Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-03-01

not merely sentimental boy, though he
might have been sentimental. What
youth is not until he is spoiled by the
world His sermons had real depth,
and it was evident, by the way he work
ed among the poor. that he was earnest
and good.
The days slipped by and winter came,
making Saltwater still indeed. by freez-
ing the river and stopping the mills, and
sending portion of people to town. The
Rev. Arthur Atherton was growing in
popularity every day. Strangers came
from the towns around to hear him
preach, and good many new members
were added to the church. Kate and he
grew to be amazingly good friends. They
tJsk long walks together at twilight. he
spent at least three evenings of every
week in our parlor, he brought her bou-
quets and books, and always managed
to accompany her home from every eve-
ming entertainment. Lena Stevens was
scOrnful and went to town. was de-
lighted, but scarcely dared to breathe
the gentleman's name for fear a change
would come over the spirit of my sis
ter's dream" Village people were be-
ginning to smell the fragrance of orange
blossoms, of course, and were anxious
about the carpets in the parsonage. But
if Kate knew anything of this she did
mot heed it. She was quite changed
person, SO gentle and quiet that mother
was afraid she was i'll. Will Somers
had gone back to college in very
gloomy state of mind. She had given
up her correspondence with Harry Lin
coin, and seemed to have no zeal for
flirting with the new schoolmaster,
though he was highly accomplished in
that art.
But st. Valentines Day came near
stopping the course of true love forever.
1t came on Saturday, was as bright a
morning as ever dawned, glittering with
snow and jlngling with sleigh-bell Af-
ter whole week of storms it seemed
hard to remain in the house, and Kate
declared that she must have sleigh
ride. Just as she was making up her
mind for that, who should appear like
some evil fairy but Tom White Whose
supposed absence in Europe had been
such source of delight to me, even Oh
that very morning.
''Came to take you sleighing, Kate, >
he announced, entering the house in his
cool, matter-of-cOurse way, as if be hac
only parted from her the night before.
''Well, Tom, [ shall be delighted t.
90, if you will wait just few moments,
said she heartily. ''In the first place
must write mammals S notices so that Mr.
Atherton will be sure 10 get them il
time she has lame arm this winter
you know, and mustn't forget John
MES Valentine. His heart is broken i
he doesn't receive. at least, FIVE" (John
ME is small brother of ours.) "Her
, it is, Tom, wish you would write some
appropriate verse in it, while am writ
ing the notices. One supposed to com
:, from the heart of some small sweetheart
! You have an original mind, especiall,
o On things relating TO such matters. lie
me see: Ladies belonging to the Still
water West Parish Charitable Associa
ton are requested to meet at the resi-
a dence of Mrs. Frederic Newhall on Tues
day afternoon next at three clock Gen
! tlemen invited at six "
n Mamma was secretary of nearly ever
society in the parish, and Mr.. Athertol
read these notices every Sunday fror
the pulpit.
4 "With pleasure" said the ever oblig
ing Mr.. White. [ wished him in Chin
f and frOwned upon him accordingly. "At
what an artistic affair of affection r. re
. garding with mock admiration the twer
!. ty-6ve cent valentine which Kate put i
his hands .'But isn't it too small t
. hold the whole of ones heart 2" 1t wa
as large as sheet of foolscap, an arti;
4 tic affair, truly. A great red heart pierC
q ed by a cruel looking arrow ornamente
the center. Al boye this was flower
= scroll touchingly bordered with forge
4 me-nots, intended for the offering Of tn
i amatory pen; underneath a puffy face
N Cupid. whose neck was decidedly SUI
gestlve Of apoplexy, holding the bo
q from which sped the fatal arrow.
# Hurry" said Kate, "I'm almo
te through and am in haste to try the spec
10 of your gallant steed.
+ Tom seized his pen and without
" thought wrote two lines from love sor
that happened to enter his mind:
Thy llsping voice stf haunts me.
ot Ringing above the lilies"
q 1t was thrilling according to the tex
IN but probably be thought lisping woul
d be more appropriate as coming from
te sweetheart of Johnnie's, for the chi
lr himself did lisp amazingly.
Ii will that do ?" be said to Kate, di
it playing his effort.
to Yes. anything Will do" she sal
bit just glancing at it, and hurriedly sli