Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-02-12

seminary, loVely girl OF seventeen opened
the door and entered the room, he could
scarcely believe his eyes.
Yet IL was she indeed--the child he had
left, grown into womanhood. Estella was
seventeen and Harry Bolton--thirty- FIVE. He
was young yet in look and thought. There
seemed after ALL but little difference between
them. Both felt this, and their manner to-
wards each other was more reserved in con-
sequence. But Harry was charmed as well
as surprised A lovcier creature never met
his eyes. As he walked homeward he said
to himself
"What if, after all, | have been rearing a
wife for myself2'
Then with a half laugh he muttered
mo, am too old for her-it is all fol-
ly." lf.
Folly or not, the thought remained. He
paid Estella such delicate attentions as suit
ors do. He anticipated her every wish and
did his best to appear in an agreeable light.
Whether she understood him or not he could
not tell. She might regard him as an indul-
gent guardian, and the thought chafed him
sorely. AT times he hoped, at times he fear
ed, until calling one afternoon "a holiday
unexpectedly, he found Estella tete.d-tete
with young friend Ernest Clark. II was
good excuse for intimacy, but the knowl-
edge that Estela had another male friend so
much nearer her own age than himself, an
noyed aud angered Harry. And when time
after time he saw them together, his suspic-
ion strengthened. They loved each other.
She would wed young Ernest, and he would
only be the middle aged guardian to give
her away with his blessing The thought
once in his mind rooted itself there, and at
last drove him beside HIMSELF
81 will go back to Europe" said he, :"
will forget her. Love and wedlock are moi
for me-"
And on the impulse Of the moment, he or.
dered his baggage to be packed, took passage
in the next steamer for Europe, and went to
the seminary to bid Estella good by.
She came in smiling, but his moody looks
made her grave at once. She put her baud
in his and he shook it codly, and sat down
beside her. For moment he was SILENT and
then he said:
81 am come to say goOd.by, Estella. l am
going to Europe"
"Mr. Bolton to Europe? Are you i'll
again ?"
g" No."
"Will you stay long?"
Forever"
The great tears sweled in Estella's eyes,
and she put her hand on her heart-she evil
IDENTIFY could not speak.
81 would advise you remaining here until
you are year older-unless, indeed, you
marry before that time. In that case you
will, of course, receive the necessary funds
and certain sum shall leave in my bauk
er's hands for that purpose"
II shall not marry" sobbed Estella
"there is no need Of any such provision"
Harry smiled sarcasLically.
The proposition has not come then ?" he
said.
Estella's head dropped lower.
81 fancied you were engaged to this yOun!
Ernest" US
Estella sobbed again.
81 care nothing for Ernest, nor he for me
We are mere acquaintance"
Harry caught her hand.
SIS this girish evasion" he asked almos
sternly, "or the truth ?"
Harry Boltan looked into the tearfushe'
face, and took the other little hand.
"Estella," he said, "do you guess why
was leaving America ?"
She shook her head.
because l could not see the girl Loves
married to another. Am l too old to love
Estella ?"
"Oh, no."
100 old to be loved?"
"You are not old at ALL"
"Estella, can you love me?"
She made no reply. Harry drew her clos
er to him and repeated the question: the
the answer came in the lowest, iaintest whis
per:
81 love you better than my life; it woul
: kill me to part with you"
Harry Bolton won his treasure.
A week after he sailed for Europe, bu
not alone. 1t was his wedding trip, an
Estella, his young and lovely bride, was wit
him.