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

absolutely as my soul to its Maker"
All me Miss Strickland had some
glaring faults. which you have perceiv-
ed ere this but her sense Of honor was
real, and not worn for show. Unable to
move away. she lifted her fingers and
stopped her ears. And never was sense
of honor more unhappily Obeyed than in
this instance. For see how it was.
During these months Miss Lahnman's
comedy had had a tragic conclusion.
Mr.. Stacy had left for newer charms.
The coquette's heart was not wounded
much, but her vanity was sorely hurt,
aad she was ready for anything that
would help to reinstate her good opinion
of her own destinations.
By an accident she had happened up
on poor Arthur's retreat during the sum.
mer Something she knew of the es-
arrangement which he suffered, and more
she guessed. Arthur was decidedly a
catch. She made use of her beauty.
her Madonna eyes, her aureole of hair.
Arthur, like other sensible, candid men,
was in some respects very near fool.
He believed all her expressions and tim
idities and glances perfectly natural.
Every day she looked prettier than the
day before the logical conclusion was,
of course. that so much beauty indicat-
ed every moral excellence. Then they
had been much together in happier days,
and he could utter the beloved name of
one who knew Its wearer. All this Miss
Lahnman quite approved. having no
doubt heard the wise proverb respecting
confdantes.
This afternoon step had been taken
which. she felt. was leagues long. Sim
pie Arthur had told her the whole story.
And just as they reached the brook,
with a mans egregious egotism he even
repeated the unfortunate note which he
had written, and which Mabel had new
er received.
a. If | have offended yeu. still you
can forgive ne because you know-you
must know-that my heart belongs to
you as absolutely as my soul to its Ma
ker. "
Here, as you know. Miss Strickland
stopped her ears.
Arthur paused minute. Miss Lahn-
man lifted her blue eyes. swimming with
tender pity.
'Even that" he said. did not move
her. l do not blame her-Heaven bless
her but l still must think l had done
all that l could do -
"Ah /, how could she ?" cried Alice
Lahnman. Her white hand rested for
one brief minute in mute sympathy up
on his arm. Then she blushed and look
ed down. 1t is really true that some
women can blush at will And though
Miss Strickland could not hear. she
could see. She somehow did not or
could not turn her eyes away.
"Oh. pardon met murmured Miss
Lahnman. with confusion as natural as
her bushes. but feel so sorry for
you If she ever had loved you, how
could she have treated you SO -
That is just what l say" said poor
Arthur. very disconsOlately--he had
never said it at all. by-the-way. for he
knew that she had loved him well. Il
think. after all. that she may have mis-
taken herself. 1t was possible. was it
not. Alice ?"
Arthur, who had long ago worn out
resentment and anger, merely wished to
hear himself cOntradicted : pleasure he
did not enjoy. He had no weapon to
match the untaught subtlety Of made
moiselle, the born coquette.
/ They did not stop above three minutes
beside the brook. When they were vel
out Of earshot. Miss Strickland released
her hearing from prison.
At this moment she did not look like
a proud woman. She sank back listless
IL against the tree near which she had
placed herself. aid covered her face witt
her hands; few tears trickled through
her fingers. All neryeless, her attitud'
spoke more eloquently than words. Sh'
knew at last that her hope had lot beer
dead, but sleeping. for now its death
throes rent her bosom.
But effort and resolution accomplish
miracles yet The days rolled on, an'
autumn vas past; Christmas drew near
Miss Strickland had long since returnet
home. and 70 herself {; she recognized N
fact that the grace and bloom Of lit
were gone for her: and also she reeog
nized the more important fact that life
uses and duties remained. The feyerisl
gayety that had marked her conduct 70
. while was gone. In its place shOne
steadier light-the cheerful acceptanc
Of things a. she found them She wen
into society a. much as ever: was per
haps more than ever admired there. An
It Is certain that her mother and hersel
were drawn nearer together than eve
before.
10 the performance Of certain rOutin
duties Miss Strickland found herself q