Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-12-03

OnOihih'teo uO"uey WIN VIII OIhyfOnS STA
feet of altitude, frank. gray eyes and clear
cut features; there was strength, resolution,
brave TO do and to daro stamped upon every
liDeam ent of his handsome face. He was
one TO look up 10, TO trust always and felt
proud andlhappy In his love.
Fordyoe paid me marked attention from
the first, he liked my gypsy face and
lively manners, and 1 was not dis
pleased. He had travelled great deal
and could make himself very entertain-
ing when no chose. Besides there was
bevy OF blonde beauties that were evidently
piquod that he should pass by their charms
unnoticed for dark face like mine, and
what woman does not love to be admired
Doctor Grayson smiled at first upon what
he termed his infatuation. but saw he did
not like it. and avoided Fordyce as much as
possible.
One afternoon 1 had listened 10 his soft
compliments for half an hour, and was about
to repair to my room to get AWAY from them,
when l CHANGED to look up and saw viii
Grayson, with dark frown upon his face,
pacing up and down the long piazza before
the window where we sat. was vexed.
beyond measure, that he should doubt me,
that distrust should for moment enter his
soul.
So still fingered and laughed. and chatted
gnily; he toyed with curl that fell over my
shoulder and praised its raven hue. l did not
chide him yet a feeling of homesickness
came over me, a weary soul sickness. was
so tired of it all. l would seek Will and
ask him to go home. l met him in the hall ;
how stern he looked.
1--WE will go home in the morning" he
said; "be ready for the FIRST train"
This was just what desired to do, but
my pride rebelled against his dictation.
With perversity l could never account for,
l declared was enjoying myself immensely
and was in no hurry to return; yet il his
lordship commanded. l. his humble servant.
must obey, and with mock courtesy. swept
by him to my room. But how unhappy
was; had grieved the one Of all the world
love the most. 1 did not go down to tea
my head ached, and my eyes were rcd with
weeping. But when the round, full moon
came out in the early twilight. shedding soft
radiance over all, stole out to pay one last
visit to the moss-grown seat, where so often
we had sat, win and /, watching the incom-
Ing tide and the fishermen's boats with Their
white sails looking like huge sea-gulls far
out upon the water. aar pnr
Twas scarcely seated. when heard foot
step, 1t must be Wills. would tell him
now how sorry was that had greived him
so, and how glad would be to go home.
looked up; it was Arthur Fordyce.
Isprang to my feet. annoyed ut his pres.
ence, when n piteous look in his face stayed
me; he had heard of our intended departure
aud had sought me to learn if 1t were true
Icon6rmed it; then grasping my hands il
both his, he poured forth an imprisoned tor
rent of words, and before could compre
bend it all--before could move. Will Gray
son stood before us with white set face. Cam
! ever forget that look. Something glittered
in his hand he cast 1t from him and spurned
it with his foot
"Thus perish my love for you, false one,
he cried, and was gone.
L had seen all as IN dream. Could those
cruel words come from win Grayson's lip;
to mel
HE can never care for you as / do
plead Fordyce; but fed past him, throw.
ing of his OBTAINING hand with such feeling
Of utter loathng; for had he not wrought m L
all this woe! Alas, my own thoughtlessness
had done n great deal; and how upbraided
myself, as tossed restlessly upon my pillow
through the long night.
But he would come with the morning. Ht
surely would repent those hasty words.
Morning camei but he came not. A ser
want brought georgous boquet and rose
tinted note from Fordyce. Both were "de
cllned with thanks"
Oh, that long, long day. that paced M
room. listening in vain for his firm, quicL
tread. At last n letter was brought me, it wa
from him; l knew at glance the bold
dashing hand. With trembling fingers
broke the seal. and my heart sank like leat
in my bosom us read:
LITTLE KATIE:- Forgive those hast,
words. will not upbraid you, you were 81
| young you did not know your own heart
poor child. / sail on the Water Nymph thil
| morning bound for California; / could no
1
news gently to my mother. God bless ant
| keep you both. WILL GRAYsoN.
The letter fell from my nerve less grasp
j was dazed, as 1t were, yet, suddenly,
thought flashed through my mind, all wa
not lost, could write him would tell hin
him all. would humble my pride and ash
his forgiveness, and he would return home
to me. Only a few months separation a
most And with lighter heart went abou
packing my trunks to return home.
had got an hour to spare, so ] wandere,
out to look once more upon the sea. tn
cruel sea, that was bearing my love ava
upon its heaving bosom. | watched it 70
a long time, and us turned TO go stra
sunbeam fell upon something bright ut IN
feet. looked again, II was wedding ring
my beautiful wedding ring he had crushe'
beneath his heel in his passion. 1t was I'm
marrsd and pressed 1t to my lips, vowin
in my inmost soul no other should ever
placed upon my finger.
/ went home and waited through tn
weary days and nights for tidings; the
came at last and all too soon, tho avn,
tidingsl He had been absent nearly tire
months; we were hourly expecting TO hea
from him. One morning while carelessl
CHANGING over u paper my eyes fell upon thes
words: Lost at sea, of Cape Horn; tn
Water Nymph went down and every sol
on board perishedw
The days and nights that followed were
blank to me. When reason resumed he
throne, the first object that met my gag
was the pale. worn face of his mother benz
ing over me; how my heart smote me, u
there was no look Of reproach in the sof
brown eyes. Carefully, tSnderly she In
nursed me back to lite. and, though di
not care to live, felt tor her sake l mus
and the life she had saved should be devote