Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-11-20
intended should be sarastie.

take and enjoy 1t aeeOrdingly-1s for
that matter. I can't complain. | think I
improved my ehapce-I rather think
did No. l can't complain. BY any
means.
Then Why didn't you stay longer ?
You weren't gone but short tine F.: you
should have stayed year or two; mOre.
aud made tOurself independent
Perhaps I'm Independent already l
say perhaps OF course. 1 can't tell you
the exact amount n2de-shAt, | think.
Is quite Unnecessary"
'-Oh, quite"
And. perhaps. too. there were attrae-
tiOus IN this part Of the world as allur-
ing as gold"
He looked knowingly at Melinda as
be spoke. and gave her another wink.
which that young lady seenedEtO relish.
though she bluShed and seemed wonder
fully embarrassed for . moment. Joe
noticed what had occurred. and didn't
fancy the course affairs seemed to be
taking. He knew that he should feel
and appear peculiarly savage if he re-
R2ined much longer, aud he hinted it
was about tine for him to be going
and what seemed TO enrage him more
than all else, Melinda appeared to be Of
the sane mind. for she offered no Objec-
ton So he took his hat and departed.
with 6rmness in his step and bitterness
in his heart
Il don't like the looks Of things st
all. be nuttered TO himself. as be walk
ed On through the dark: she Is alto
gether TOO tender 70 that chap to be
agreeable 70 Ne If he has not turned
her head then there Is = mistake some
where l dent believe he has brought
enough money from California to buy q
rope 70 hang himself. He Is after the
wIdder's farm now, to make 1t Up, I'll
bes ny hat Yes. sir. he means 70 catch
Melinda and I've been fool enough to
wait until this time 70 come TO 3 final
point But perhaps 1t amt too late yet
maybe she viii consent 70 have NE vet.
If lose No tine in askiRg her. III Try
It. I vow will I'll 20 over again TO
mOrrow and have the thing settled"
And having cone to this conclusion.
he hurried forward. and soon after was
dreaming Of Melinda Martin. the widow,
himself, and an Infinite number Of Reu-
ben Spzrkses. VINO were chasing him III
: steep hill, and endeavCring 20 beat his
brains out With bars Of California gold.
Mrs Chiekweed vas NEST anxious
next morning TO learn from her son the
result Of his mission to the widows. but
joe was silent and Pensive. avoiding his
mothers eyes and keeping away from
the house zs much as possible Late IL
the evsning he carefully dressed himself
in his best suit. and. With look of de
termination stamped On his features. b
once more determined 70 visit the 6ekI.
Melinda
He found her II home and alone
Hope y0a spent an agreeable evenin:
yesterday" remarked Joe. after he Ia,
passed the usual compliments. and seat
ed himself near the lady.
oh. yes. 1 did. / assure you" va
the reply.
Mr. Sparks. l shsuld say. was a yer,
entertaining young nan"
Joe didn't think anything Of the kind
but quite the contrary
He Is. indeed. very interesting, re
Piled Melinda
I Joe looked anything but pleased :
this sneouium On MS rival. and sat f.
soue moments in utter silence
At length he turned to the young 4
d. and said
Il cane here last eEening With Il
intention Of speaking 70 yOa On = pa
ticaI2r subjeet. but | found you % er
gzged that determined 70 call zgzi
tonight and 800"
Here you are" said Melinda sui
ing zt his embarrassment
YES. here I an. And noE that ! a
here. III tell y0u At SDce what l can
for. You knoE 1 love you I've t0l
you a. u1cb nore'r onee. AMI I've "a
tered myself that 1 weren't indiEsrer
70 yOu But nov I wish you 70 tell L
If y0u really lore ne in return. and II
nay h0pe 70 make yOa NJ wife vi
y0u marry ue
Joe. having arrived at this inPortar
question. looked tenderiy and appez
insly into her face. and oEezthlessl
v4ited her reply-he eolOred slight
and be1t her eyes to the fOor.
~Ys9 are quite right in sGPpssiE
that y0u are net indiSsrent 70 ne. for
regard yoa very highly" sbe said
Then all ny fears hare been groun
less - uttered joe exultingiy-
-Bz. then" continued the l@dy.
ezuBet very veil grant jour wishes :
gzrding-
What cred joe. his eoantenao
, s15denly changing =
Il can't Eery vel nzrrJ yea
-And shy can't EOuz I'd like
8 rrow xEzr i q hinder vOur nzrrvI