Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-06-02

tO-uuy. Ou hVW boiiiDly DltteT IL was y
"And have you forgotten your answer 10
that letter 7" she said almost passionately,
her voice quivering, and her breast heaving.
I'll don't remember IL word for word" he
returned quickly; III know il was written
on the impulse Of the moment"
"But l have il by heart" then, very
slowly, "you said, if your love, 10 its heart
and strength, was a little exactinp, mine was
cold and tideless in fact, no love, only q
slow, sluggish affection. You almost thought
| was right, and that we could not be happy.
| am naturally proud" she went on "but a
woman with less pride than have could not
have acted differently. Only one course was
left me--to be SILENT"
"Well, it is all over now" he rejoiued
1--WE shall never, never meet again"
"You won't take my friendship, then ?"
"No, thank you you are very generous,
but do not want this gift"
He threw himself YEARLY into chair,
and, for some time there was a complete
silence. Hope is so subtle, so intangible,
that we are often only aware of its existence
when it has ceased to be. Arthur Seton
looked upon himself as a man quite without
hope. 1t seemed to him that his life could
hardly be more gray and desoate than il
was, yet who shall say what feeling, Of which
he was not directly conscious, may have
sustained him through the last three years
Now everything seemed gone,-there was
nothing but death left. Presently carriage
wheels came down the road carriage lamps
flashed through the dusk, and grew stationary
opposite the window. Mr.. Hunter hustled
in, aud announced, 10 tone Of triumph, that
the carriage had come for the young lady,
aud done the distance wonderfully quick.
Then the door shut, and they we're alone to-
gether again. Very softly aud distinctly
Seton heard her say his name, arthur ;
but he did not move. 1t seemed to him that
he would keep back all his love, clinch fast
his heart till the pain was gone, and then die
swiftly of the pain.
Arthur, am waiting, dear. Won't you
come Are you not going to forgive MOI"
Now he rose and CROPPED his way toward
her like blind man. She stretched out her
hands and drew him to her. Then he bent
down. She raised her face, and the hearts
and the lips, so long dsunited, came together
in prolonged, passionate kiss. lie knelt
down by her, her head sank upon his shout
der, and for several minutes they remained
thus, lost in loves profound peace and mys.
terry. They we're soon disturbed by the
landlords summons, and, as Arthur folded
Alices mantle round her, she said, half shy.
ly: You are coming back with me to see
mamma, are you not 2"
"May r. he answered, great joy evident
in face and voice.
So the bedroom which Mrs. Hunter had
been preparing all the afternoon, and OIL
which she was not little proud, remained
unoccupied; but the payment was lavish
and the days labor was not regretted.
Oh that never-to. be- forgotten ride Il
G through the wild, windy evening
Between it and the last three years lay all
the pains of hell And the rain ceased anC
strange voices were abroad in the wind sing
ing jubilantly over love rcrisen and redeem
ing. Aud the clouds drlted away, and tn,
pure, sweet, windy moonlight Iuvered ovel
wet fields and trees, and seemed loves bene
diction.
| leave you to ina CINE the arrival home
Arthur had always been lavorite with Mrs
Clare6eld, and, in the old days of quarrels
she used always to take his part WheI
dinner had at last been disposed of, Mrs
Clarefield pleaded household duties, and wen
to her bedroom. There she sat down beior,
the bright fire and wcpt profuscly, dear soul
over the happiness Of her children. Aud
downstairs, these two were very quiet. II
them love was solemn thing, aud they wer,
solemn lovers. And the wonderful, price
less moments went silently and swiftly by.
Presently, however, Alice said, looking VI
in Arthur's face, and pressing his hand yer,
, tightly, "You won't continue your walks
this week ?"
And he answered, with a bright smile
But have pledged my word Of honor b
do So"
} "Aud | command you to break it,"
Y es, he did break it; but none Of hi
friends brought it as an accusation agains
, him that, for once in his life. be had broke
his word of honor