Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-07-12

the handSOmcst ! ever could see, There is
only one drawback to my enjoyment Of the
fact What a pity Esther was not there TO
see il. too am never quite sure even of
my own opinions until she has confirmed
them.
think il is that same evening" or the
morning after, that papa breaks the silence
with;
BY the way, mamma, met the brother
of an old college chum yesterday, an Exeter
man himself, who has come dewn here 20
work up notes for book on ecclesiastical
architecture. I've asked him to dinner I'm
sure you'll like him"
"What is his name 2" asks MAMMA
placidly.
"And shall | like him, papa 2" says |. d" Is
he nice Mamma is like Esther and likes
every one, even disagreeabe people but
shall like him That is the important
question ="
"Oh dear, no. lie is not half young or
silly enough for your liking, saucebox, says
my father. Aud his name is Kenneth
Alouctou, Tom Moucton's brother" he adds,
turning 10 the mother " / declare thought
II was Tom, when | first caught sight Of
those black Alonctou eyes under that fellows
blue cap"
blue capl" | hear that but not the
strangers name just then, for those words
bring back 10 me the remembrance OF the
black eyes which had flashed up iuto mine
from the boat on the river yesterday.
Aud Ii was the very same person "
tell Esther next day when she has come to
see me. and we are sitting 10y the lattice
paned asmne-smothered window of my
room-she busy with lapful of cloudy tulle
and pale blue ribbons over the construction
Of my bonnet; the little dark head bent
over her work. the slim, pale fingers nying in
and out with dainty skill while perch on
the window-sil, my head against the frame
work, my idle hands clasped about my knee
A ray Of sunshine is falling from above like
a shaft of glory on her brow Outside, a
thrush is singing in the boughs of huge
cherry-trees the music mingles with my
voice as go on chattering. Esther, anu
so glad for took a liking TO him at once.
| wanted to know him. You have no
idea what beautiful face he has-like Sir
Launcelot-Noi graver than Launcelot ;
more like King Arthur; only Arthur had
beard, had he not 2 This one has none and
besides, Launcelot was not so very young or
lively after all so | suppose he must be- the
| knight"
al hope not" Esther's gray eyes looking
| upwith a sweet little mixture of fun and anx-
iety. 81 shouldn't care for Launcelot
TO come across my little Birdie Our lily
maid is worthy of better fate"
1t is you who are the lily maid Per-
haps Sir Launceiot has come for YOU" | say
merrily; but Esther shakes her head aud the
smile dies out Of her eyes-the smile, not the
sweetness that never dies.
Not for me-" she says, softly "neither
I uupna1,t
head that may try this on, and try and
forget this bewitehing stranger. Perhaps he
may not turn out as nice as he looks; and
even If he does"
If he does--Esther, he is coming to din
ner again tomorrow, and what shall wear
! interrupt Is my pink muslin fresh
enough Let me put It on that you may
see. What do you think Oh Esther, don't
laugh. Papa thought he would be to old
and clever for me to like; but do like him,
and should like him to think looked nice
there's no harm in that, is there ?"
Harm 2 No. But you don't usually care
so much for strangers opinions, Birdie. |
cant understand you to-day"
you could if you had seen him, and
heard him talk. Besides, he is so brave aud
clever, like one of the knights of old-poet
I
mutiny and then he married beautiful
/ girl with large fortune, and ---"
You've not told me his name yet"
Esther interrupts, her eyes and fingers busy
with the bonnet
Dalton" replied " Colonel Dalton.
| At least he took that name when he mar
ried forget his previous one but this was
! his wiie's. She was great heiress but
/ She died, poor thing shortly after they
| were married, and since then he has been
| travelling continually. lie went all through
the Franco-Prussian war as a correspondent
for something, and risked his life hundred
times rather than live idly at home. SO you
see, Esther he is a real hero; aud you'll like
him better than | when you see him. And
oh what can | do 10 this muslin to make
the train stand out 2"
And she laughs and scolds me little,
looking at me with wistiul eyes, rather Won
dering and anxious in their tenderness, as
/ though a vision of something old
memory of pain-had risen up before them,
/ from which she would fain shield me if she
knew how and yet, all the while her busy,
| clever fingers are plating at the skirt of my
muslin dress; disappearing of my anxiety,
yet doing the one little practical thing in her
power TO satisfy it not understanding how
| can care so much about looking nice, and
yet making me look nicer than ! could ever
make myself, because IT pleases me, and be.
cause the certainty of my present pleasure
is more tangible TO her than the chance OF
my future pain. Only when am quite sat.
isfied with my dress, and she is LAYING it on
the bed beside the nearly completed bonnet
| suddenly make clntch at her and spring
to the window.
" Esther, come here" | whisper "Thert
is Colonel Dalton talking to papa on tn,
croquet-lawn Look at him, do look at him
lie is turning his face this way There
Why, Esther Oh Esther, what is it :"
The hands that have been resting on IN,
shoulder slip down. There is a quick rustic
thud upon the carpet and turning
swiftly see the little gray figure all crum
pied in a heap on the floor, with the pale
rigid hands clenched together and the whit,
face hidden among the loosened hair.
Without word or warning she has fainte,
away.
Esther and her mother went away from
us next morning to stay with an aunt Of tn
latter II was quite sudden arrangement
though Mrs. Hume had never before in IN,
recollection left her quaint rooms in the pal
ace for more than quiet stroll on sum,
mornings with her daughter, or a quie
tea-drinking on summer evenings with MS
She could not be induced to listen to m
entrcaties that they would at least della,
their departure till next day, so that the,
might dine with MS to meet Colonel Dalton
Esther was looking very ILL., She was al
ways pale, as | have said but to-day he
face was white with the whteness of moon
light upon snow; and there were dark ring
drawn heavily round the sweet patience 0
her eyes. 1t made me unhappy even to lool
at her, unhappy and penitent, too for thougl
she assured me again and again that he
faint was nothing that she was over.tire'
and feeling the heat ETC., could not but II
member that IL was who tired her, and tina
my idle chatter on the previous day might
perchance, have touched on that old woun'
in my darling's heart, and set it bleeding
again.
Long ago-nearly ten years ago, think
and ten years seem very long to u girl O
nineteen-Esther had been engaged 10
young man who was reading with her father
had been deserted by him, and had neve
, got over il; for the simple reason that tn
honest contempt that most good women mus
ere long learn TO feel forsuch dishonest treacl
cry never came 10 her. When, at the en-,
of his residence with Mr. Hume, this youn,
man went up to Oxford 10 take his degree
, he exacted from Esthera vow of unsweryin
! trust in his love and faith trust whc
was TO remain firm even IL their engagement
lasted for years, II his affection seemed 3
I A.,