Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-15


ton of the bellies of W.
recognized Helen Richmond only by her
smile and voicc-the one retaining its modu-
lated sweetness, and the other its lovely OK
pression-as she advanced to greet and well
come me. She was ohanged--wonderlully
changed. She had left us wasted invalid,
but now the hue of health glowed upon her
cheek and lip, her bowed form had become
full graceful, and buoyant, and her eye,
which once would have haunted you with
its subdued and pensivo look of sadness,
was now RADIANT with health and beauty.
She replied to my congratulations upon her
return. with an ease and grace which was
eminently southern. Our conversation was
OF "lang syne," yet us l left her side ut the
approach of others, 1 could hardly realize
that the bright and beautiful girl, whose
whole appearance was such dazzling sur
prise to all her acquaintance, was really the
same Helen Richmond had known three
years before.
"Trevors." said u laughing coquette to me
in the course of the evening, "look at Lin
ton; he is fairly caught"
"Lnton" 1 replied, SIS he here? have
not seen him enter"
"Yonder he is, talking with Miss Rich
mond. See, how completely absorbed! We
will all share in her triumph, If she leads
him captive. 1 have long given him over
rs incorriglbe."
81 thought you had him in your tolls, a
month SINCE" ] replied. elias he broken
loose?"
"Ile was never FAST 1t was only one of
his fiirtations-merely playing round The
hook"
81 understand" l replied, "Greek meeting
Greekw
The experienced eye of the beauty had not
deceived her. Linton was evidently struck
with the fascination and lovlnes of his com
panion, seconded AS her personal charms
powerfully were, by n graceful and brilliant
conversational tact. watched her narrow
ly, rs Linton, with his usual animation oil
tone aud gesture, sustained his part in the
tctc-a-tete. Her manner was that of polite
and gracef, attention. She was perfectly
self possessed. Not the least furry of man
ner, not the slightest change of color, nor II
single falterng glance of her eye indicated
any internal agitation. Not tone OF Lin
toms voice seemed 10 touch n heart string
-Was II certain passage in her early inter
course with Linton forgottenP
, The festivities of the evening being over
|, Linton and myself loitered slowly to on
quarters. He talked gaily and freely upo
every subject except the one which woul
3 most naturally occur to us-the return an
appearance of Helen Richmond. My leas
allusion to this was received with reserv
and Indifference of manner, so evidently rs
S sumed, that was not deceived for me
= ment. needed no other proof. that n dee
t impression had been made upon his usual
volatile temperament. | observed hi
G closely thcnceforth, and every day convince
C me that his proud spirit was bowling befor
= the influence of an absorbing passion.
II saw the whole man-his vigorous intellec
( and strong but subducd passions-takin
that direction with convulsive enerG
: characteristic of himself His want of COZ
c fidence continued, yet by ME, who had stu
= led his character for years, the disguise wi
. easily penetrated. and abided the ever
e. with increasing interest.
IN
10 1t was the festival week of a collegiate il
IS stitution-that which ushered our cor
q mcncement The village was crowded wi
t. gay company. Balls. parties and exsurslo
Il of pleasure made every hour n festal one,
fto drown the regrets of the graduati
I'd class, who were so soon to leave the shelte
Of ing shadows of their Alma Mater. Amo
10 the gitldy round, remember well the lev
h. of our venerable president, the evening il
of mediately previous to commencement. w
DIS my readers accompany me thither?
he The gathering was motley, yet br
ut liant one. Far women" radiant with bea
nd ty and smiles, gave life and animation
nd the various groupings of tho assemblage, al
cd even the few Of their number. with who
certain susceptible seniors had been 81
pected of deposting VOWS of rather tend
"A character, appeared regardless of the m'
h. rows pangs of separation. The professC
.d were moving among their former pupi
nr recognizing by their bland and affable cot
st tesy, their new character rs "citizens OF
I'd world" Aud "the class now scatter
ur the wide world over, seemed resolved
u- fling care to the winds, in the enjoyment
en- the passing festivities. Was not theirs
Mt. true philosophy?
is II was lovely summer evening, and 81
in ping from gay group gathered upon
IN piazza, strolled leisnrely and alone, throu
he the tangled walks of the presidents gard
IT. The AIR was cool and fragrant, the sill
ee- curve of crescent was dropping over
les, hills, and ms its soft and lingering light !
er- revealed the landscape, methought t
err moonlt scene was not unlike the future
lly our hopes and schemes, dim, uncertain, {
indefinite. Tho cheerful sounds of me
led ment came swelling from the lighted APP
/ n ments, and thoughts of n saddencd nat
the were stealing over me, when was start
ing by the sounds of approaching footsteps.
oc- moment, and Charles Linton and lie
ol- Richmond were within such short
me lance from the arbor, whose clustering vi
ut concealed me, that every word of thor c
lat versaton was distinctly audible.
tic, Linton was repeating with an earnest I
nee passionate emphasis, ~ tale Of love" TT
Is steps grew slower and slower, until III
led was an abrupt and mutual pause. The co
, of tenance of Lynton was pale and agita
with emotion, and n single glance salts
sur me that the present moment was n crisi
our his existence of thrilling interest. He pi
MIR. ed, and with feverish anxiety / ava
the reply.
,ly. 1t came, after momentary pause, !
vs.. measured, yet musical tone-ah how un
cen the trembling articulation of Linton
,en, came, like tho knell of hope to his shrink
hat ear, n calm disavowal of the least rccipr
de- feeling, and II courteous rejection of ms
dresses.
ond For heavens sake! Miss Richmc
I of Helen, dearest lIelenm exclaimed Lin
recall what you have said! Is there no
ccurageMent-no hopeP"