Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-04-10
a Lost Letter.


sat together on one side Of the organist,
Mabel Strickland and Herbert Stacy. So
pranO and basso. on the other
OF these four persons. Alice Lahnman
aud Herbert Stacy gave the usual amount
Of attention to their duties and nothing
save the small cOquetries and whispered
batteries common to voluntary. and per-
haps to other. choirs. interrupted their
enjoyment of their own and their mental
criticism Of the others performance.
7 With Miss Strickland and Mr.. Gil
bert all was different.
Miss Strickland probably could not
have looked plain if she had tried. but
she approached it as nearly to-day as
Heaven had made it possible. In Arthur
Gilbert change had taken place since
his entrance into the church. which
could not have escaped the observation
Of his companions. had they not been
entirely taken up with themselves. His
manner then had been radiant with such
a glad. bright hopefulness that il ought
to have been a pleasure merely to look
at him. On taking bis usual seat beside
p Miss Strickland. he had leaned forward
and spoken to her in a whisper-an ar.
dent whisper, 1t would have seemed-re-
ceIving in return the frigidly spoken and
very distinctly audible monosyllable
"No." A hart and hurried remonstrance
had then been answered by the lady's
crossing over aud taking the seat usual
( ly occupied by Miss Iahnman. Since
then she had not glanced toward him.
Amazenent sat at first alone upon his
brow; but Its place was soon divided
with the Indignation Of feeling cause
lessly outraged. During the whole ser
vice be waged with himself a terrible
warfare. To leave her to long repent
anee-bitter enough be knew it would
be-was the resolution constantly CON-
bated by the better determination to
make at least one attempt to understand
( her conduct.
At last the service approached Its
close. The solemn benediction was pro-
nounced over the bowed heads Of the
congregation. The people slowly dis
persed. Miss Lahnman paused to sr-
range her ribbons, and to permit Mr..
Stacy to join her, if such should be his
pleasure. With dowDcast eyes Miss
Strickland passed quickly down stairs,
evidently desiring solitude for compan-
ion. But after 3 thousand struggles
with pride. Mr.. Gilbert had conquered
himself. He net her at the foot of the
stairs. and would have walked beside
her She paused with decision.
DO you not intend to allow me to
walk with you, Mabel - Mr.. Gilbert
asked, in voice Of suppressed emotion;
but already he was growing angry again.
Il am much obliged, but prefer TO be
alone" SAID Miss Strickland.
is it true then that you were wound
ed 50 deeply ? Is it possible, Mabel,
that you have not yet forgiven me ?"
Il have forgiven you 50 fully, re-
piled Miss Strickland, slowly and cold
ly, that l have forgotten both the Of
fense and the offender. Be kind enough,
if you please. to let ne pass"
He stepped back little, looking a;
; her in wonder; but be spoke once more,
: in voice made intense BY deep feeling.
: Think one moment. Mabel. Do you
realize what you are doing p
Il quite realize that no gentleman de-
: tains lady against her will. When II
Is your pleasure to allow me, | shall be
: glad to 20 on
e And this Is our farewell p
That has already been spoken
hoped it had been final"
: Mr.. Gilbert bowed profoundly and
E stepped aside Her face was an emo.
ti0nless mask but upon his. amazement
pain and anger were plainly painted
2 Before Miss Strickland reaches home
very few words will throw light upon
2 the reason-or unreason-of her conduct
? to her betrothed lover.
A lovers quarrel had begun. a such
! quarrels usually do. about trise. Tn.
happily. in this instance, the imPetuOsi
4 ty Of the gentleman. irritated by th'
cold pride Of the lady. had Eidened tbs
4 breach until II had grown 70 formidable
(; dimensions. each dwelling upon theil
: own particular grievance. ..and each de
|. clining to take that step that hurts-th'
: first one. But three OF four days PasseC
e in this way had plainly demonstrated Z
e each how dear was the bond with Ehiel
tbey we're trifing. Miss Strickland Eait
ef eagerly for some token Of repentance
Mr.. Gilbert looked znxi0usly and Il
Z vain for a sign that repentance would b
J. accepted. But. after all. he knew tia
q the initiative was his part. and. love an
. generosity urging him, be took It'll
I. an unfortunate manner Detained froH
,f church this morning. he sent % Mis-
1f Strickland a note full Of love and mag
Is pzuinous self-blane; a note that EOul
E E have touched very much harder hesi