Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17

ner. The subject was for some inconceiv-
able reason, evidently distasteful 10 him.
Rich rs he was he acknowledged that he led
simple and solitary life. lie had little
taste for society, and no sympathes in com
mon with the average young men Of his age.
But he had his own harmless pleasures and
occupations, aud past sorrows and suffering
had taught him not 10 expect too much from
life. All this was said modestly, with
winning charm Of look aud voice which in
describably attracted me. His personal ap-
pearance aided the favorable impression
which his manner and conversation produced
lie was Of the middle height, lightly and
firmly built his complexion pale his hands
and feet small, and finely shaped; his brown
hair curling naturally his eyes large and
dark, with an occasional indecision in their
expression, which was far from being an
objection To them 10 my taste. 1t seemed 10
harmonze with an occasional indecision in
his talk proceeding, rs was inclined TO
think, from some passing confusion in his
thoughts, which 1t always cost him little
effort TO discipline aud overcome. Does il
surprise YOU to find how closely observed
man who was only a chance acquaintance, nj
my first interview with him Or do your
suspicious eulghten you and do you say 10
yourself She has fallen ia love with Mr..
Roland Cameron, at first sight may plead
in my own defense that was not quite ro-
mantle enough TO go that length. But |
own ! waited for his next visit with an I'M
patience which was new to me in my expe-
rience Of my sober self And, worse still,
when the day came changed nv dress three
times before my newly developed vanity was
satisfied with the picture which the look.
ing-glass presented 20 me Of myself
In q fortnight more my father and my
brother began to bok on the companionshp
Of our new friend as one Of the settled IN
stitutions Of their lives.
IN a Tonight more, Mr.. Roland Cameron
and Though we neither Of us ventured to
acknowledge it-were as devotedy in love
with each other as two young people could
well be- All, what delightful time it was
md how cruelly soon our happiness came TO
an end.
During the brief interval which have
Just described observed certain pcculiari-
ties IN Roland Cameron's conduct which
perplexed and troubled me. when my mind
was busy with him in my lonely moments.
For instance, he was subject to the
strongest lapses into silence when he and
were talking together. At these times his
eyes assumed a weary, absent look, and his
mind seemed to wander away,--far from the
conversation and far from me. lie was per
tectly unaware Of his own infrmity; he fell
into it unconsciously, and came out Of it un-
consciously. If | noticed that he had not
heen attending to me, or il / asked why he
had been silent he was completely at a loss
10 comprehend what meant 1t puzzled
and distressed him. What he was thinking
Of IN these pauses Of silence, it was impossi-
ble 10 guess His face, at other times singu-
larly mobile and expressive, became almost
perfect blank. Had he suffered some ter
rible shock at some past period Of his life,
and had his mind never recovered itY
longed to ask him the question, aud yet |
shrank from doing it. | was so sadly afraid
of distressing him; or, TO put it in palmer
words, | was so truly and tenderly fond of
him.
Then, again, though he was ordinarily,
sincerely believe, the most gentle and most
lovable of men, there were occasions when
ne would surprise me by violent outbursts of
temper, excited by the merest tri4les dog
barking suddenly at his heels, or a boy
throwing stones in the road. or an importu-
uatc shopkeeper trying 10 make him purchase
something that he did not want, would throw
him into a frenzy of rage which was, with
out exaggeration, really frightful to see. lie
always apologized for these outbreaks, in
terms which showed that he was sincerely
ashamed of his own violence But he could
never succeed in controlling himself The
apses into passion, like the lapses into ST.
lenoc, took him into their own possession,
and did with him, for the time being, Just
as they pleased
One more example Of Roland's peculiari-
ties, and have done. The strangeness of
his conduct, in this case, was noticed by my
father and my brother as well as by me.
When Roland was with MS in the evening,
whether he came to dinner or to tea, he in
yariably left us exactly at nine o'clock. Try
as we might to persuade him TO stay longer,
he always politely but positively refused.
Even ! had no influence over him in the
matter. When pressed him to remain
though it cost him an effort-he still retired
exactly as the clock struck nine. He gave
no reason for this strange proceeding; he
only said that it was a habit OF his, and beg
god US 10 indulge him in it, without asking
for an explanation, My father and my
brother (bcing mem succeeded in controlling
their curiosity. For my part (being wo-
mani every day that passed only made me
more and more eager to penetrate the mys-
terry. ! privately resolved to choose my
time, when Roland was in a particularly &C
cessible humor, and then to appeal to him
for the explanation which he had hitherto
refused, as a special favor to myself,
In two days more found my opportunity.
Some friends of ours, who had Joined us
at Eastbourne proposed a picnic party to
the famous neighboring cliff called Beachy
Head We accepted the invitation. The
day was lovely, and the gypsy dinner was
as usual, infinitely preferable (for once in a
way) to a formal dinner indoors. Towards
evening our little party separated in twos
and threes to explore the neigborhood
Roland and found ourselves together, as
matter Of course. We were happy, and we
were alone. Was it the right or the wrong
time to ask the fatal question am not
able to decide only know that asked it.
"Mr Cameron" | said, "will You make
/ allowance for a weak woman and will
you tesl me something that am dying TO
/ know about 20
lie walked straight into the trap-with
that entire absence of ready wit or small
suspicion q leave you TO choose the right
phrase) which is so much like men, and so
little like woman.
"Of course | will" he answered
Then tell me- | asked, "why you al.
ways insist on leaving at nine o'clock 2"
lie started. and looked at me---so sadly, SO
eproachfully that ! would have given
every thing | possessed 10 recall the rash
words that had just passed my lips
" II consent 10 tell you" he replied after
a momentary struggle with himself" will
you let me put a question TO you first and
will you promise to answer it p
gave him my promise, and waited eagerly
for what was coming next.
"Miss Brading," he said, " tell me hon
estly-do you think am mad "
1t was impossible TO laugh at him; hS
spoke those strange words seriously -stenly
! might almost say.
"No such thought ever entered my head,
answered.
lie looked at me very earnestly.
" lOu say that on your word OF honor z
"On my word of honor"
answered him with perfect sincerity, an,
| evidently satisfied him that | was speaking
the truth lie took my hand and raised !
gratefully TO his lips,
al thank you" he said, simply. :" Yol
encourage me TO tell you very sad story"
Your own story 2" asked.
My own story. Let me begin my telling
you why I persist in leaving your house al
ways at the same hour. Whenever 90 out
am bound by promise TO the person will
whom | am living at Eastbourne, to return
at quarter past nine o'clock"
"I'he person with whom you are living 7
repeated. "You are living at q boarding