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

y
quette, who could meet your stratagems
with corresponding wiles-rnther than this
unsuspecting and confdng grlP'
Ny sarcasm took. Unions pride revolted
from this view Of the subject, although in his
countenance [ could read no drawings of
generous emotion. Ills manliness was ques-
toned by my remark, and his hasty reply re-
ferred to no other consideration.
" You mistake, Trovors," he said, "you |
mistake. My attentions TO Helen Richm ond |
may have been noticed, yet have they gone
beyond the limits of sheer politenessP"
81 think they have been too lnvidous, by
far. The politeness of n gentleman would
Justify such manner toward the sex, but
not towards u single individual. The dis
tinction Immediately established is apparent
and wrong, unless you are prosecuting u
matrimonial suit You have stationed your
self near Helen Richmond in public rooms
your eye has amldcr expression for her, and
your voice more imprisoned tone, and |
am not alone in the opinion that u first love
is the requital."
"Well, well" replied Linton, in n tone OF
Impotence, rs If the subject and my direct
treatment Of 1t were irksome, "this would
make fine peroration for some future
speech, in a suit of breach for promise. As
for Helen Richmond, love her not, and |
regard my late intercourse with her only rs
a moment,ry Irritation. But hush' we are
passing her housem
The caution came too late, for ut that m o.
ment u low exclamation, unnoticed by Lin
ton, reached my ear. As mine was the in
terror of the walk, l turned my head in
its direction, and my eye met the ngonized
glance of Helen Richmond. She was leaning
against an elm. evidently for support, and
the anguish stamped upon every feature OF
her pale countcnance assured me that the
heartless remark of Linton had been over
heard by its subject. As caught her eye,
she hastily recovered herself and with ges-
ture of silence disappeared.
"How, Trevors?" exclaimed Linton, who
was totally unconscious of this thrilling
"aside to our conversation. "Peering so
anxiously through old Richmond's alleys
Your stare is really quite dramatic! What is
the matter. man?n
replied ovasively, and the little incident
ABOVE HenllOutu lHulspOocu hiO io'
farther conversation, we soon parted.
must here pause to recall some tagging
portions of my narrative. Helen Richmond
thus abruptly introduced to the reader, wal
very young--just lingering upon the threshold
of fearful and passionate womanhood, ant
far from beautiful; for from her earliest in
fancy, hers had been the weary lot of IN in
valid. Yet though disease had stolen tn
bloom from her cheek, and the elasticit
from her step, still there fingered in her del
icate and symmetrical feature, traces o
noble aud intellectual beauty. A brunett
in complexion, her eye was an anomaly ii
female loveliness-dark rs night, yet tender
rs sorrow. Her voice was low and musical
and there was always hush Of my pulse q
| listened to its sad cadence. My usual rem
iniscences of this period are indstinct, yC
how well do remember the artless nHiUet
of her manner. her keen apprehension of I'll
beautiful in nature and intellect the mag
of her conversation, and the inscnsible draf
upon your sympathy, rs you listened to HI
painful breathing and marked the pallor @
her cheek.
She was an object of interest and sympi
thy, and dreaded the influence of the aboN
incident upon her feelings mOrbidly sens
tive as they had been rendered by Ion
course of illness. That the blow was 5
we're and cruel one, | could not doubt. III
question often occurred to me, would 81
~ fling over its wound the Ggis of \ woman
IL pride and secure future peace of mind by
g. conquest of herself? Sincerely and frequer
d. " did wish her this best and most eflectu
u" solace.
To In few days Helen Richmond depart
ed from the little village which is the scene
TN my sketch, for residence in the extren
ed SOUTH She went in the pursuit of healt
ell 1t was the last resort of an anxious circle
lly relatives, and as n numerous troop Of frien
* cordially united in the desire that the ISIS
ne would realize their hopes, thought of III
Tx, twilight scene beneath her fathers elms, n
ng included forgetfulness of Charlie Linton n
so his repulsive selfishness among my Ego
oi wishes for Helen Richmond.
nS We were enjoying the dignlfied leisure o
ws senior vacation. Layers of dust were gal
Eht cred upon our shelves of textbooks, and h
ing in person. they might have complained me
ire bitterly of our neglect. We had all surviv
wv, the fiery ordeal ola final examination, G
es, respective parts for commencement were {
'nt iy assigned, and most of the class had tax
ire. advantage of their release from the pare
ich al discipline - of our worthy faculty, to d
viii perse to their homes. A few of us still
ell gered behind. in delightful state Of alter
md ton between our collegiate rooms and
lch parlors ofthe village. Indeed we were lo
be ly reminded of our privileged ease and Fl
dom, rs our compecrs in the lower clas
ital whom we complacently dubbed "unC
on. graduates" in anticipation OF the coming C
and emonies of commencement, toiled patien
ers to and from their allotted tasks.
on, Charles Linton occupied my cushion
ant arm -chnir-always the post of honor i
cast students room-and VIC were devotinG
d n cool hours of II summer morning to randi
lost speculations upon books and authors, an
rles casional "reminiscences of collegiate IL
our dents, and the disposal of certain pr
the cigars. / was laughing most heartily
, of some trliiing affair which Linton was re
our ing with all the tact of All admirable min
It ! when we were interrupted by the entra
that of a servant. who, leaving in my han'
ded couple of delicately folded billets, bust
ield away on the same errand to the inmate
$ oil an adjoining room.
so. "Ah! Linton" l exclaimed. "ihis
of prise is worth even the remnant Of ,
ign. story. Here are notes of invitation TO
less, Richmond's."
may "IIow! old Richmond'sP" was the rel
On's THAT carries us back to freshman da
adj For the last three years, that parlor has
col u sealed book to company, rs much so G.
med ms those of the old Dutch housewives
.ess- the memorabilia Diedrich KnickerhOcker