Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-05-05
Matte said very meekly; "but indeed I'd
fer rather stay at home"

Matte said very meekly; but indeed I'd
fer rather stay at home"
t"You are desired to go you have rose
in your hair" said, satirically---oh, what
poor satire, when it was put there to please
MEL" and they expect you; SO now CO.
and enjoy yourself,"I added, by way of a
sting to my sensible speech.
"I can't enjoy myself, Dick" she said,
gently" unless you come too. Let me
stay? ?"
"I desire you to GO" exclaimed, bang
ing by hand down on the desk.
She looked at me with the great tears
standing in her piteous eyes, and then, COM
ing nearer, she bent over me and kissed my
forehead.
"Ycs---no---perhaps---I don't know" |
said roughly, as l repelled her caresses !;
and then, looking wistfully at me, she went
slowly to the door, glided out and was
gone.
That broke the spell, and | started from
my seat, but more angry than ever. was
wroth with her now for obeying me so meekly
and gently opened the door, to hear her
call her maid and tell her to accompany her
as far as the Wilson's.
Then | heard them go---heard the girl
return, the door close, and l was alone.
Alone? Well, not exactly; for, so to
speak, was having an interview with my
angry self, as felt that was, asking how
could let feeling Of annoyance act upon
my better nature and make me behave as I
had to the sweet little girish being who
during the six months " had been mar
ried, had never looked at me, but with eyes
of love.
"Change your things and go after her."
something seemed to say; but repelled it,
threw my writing aside, kicked off my
boots, snatched my slippers out of the side
board, thrust the easy chair in front of the
cosey fire, threw myself into it, and then,
with my feet on the fender, and my hands
in my pockets, l sat, morose, bitter and un-
comfortable, gazing at the glowing embers.
"She had no business to gow | ex-
claimed. "She knew was up all last
night, writing that abominable book, and
was out of sorts, and ought to have. stayed.'
Then reviewed the past half hour, and
grew calmer as looked back, knowing as
| did, and well, that had forced her to go,
poor child, and how miserable she would be
" Poor little darling" ! said at last;
"Pll wait up till she comes home, and then
tell her how sorry am for my folly and
ask her forgiveness.
But, as a man, can l do that? l said.
"Will it not be weak? ?"
"Never mind," exclaimed, "I'll do it /!
Surely, there can he no braver thing to do |
than to own ones self in the wrong. Lies
too short to blur it with petty qucrrels.
And suppose she were taken i'll tonight
my darling, whom love with all my heart?
Or suppose she went too near the fire and
her dress caught alight? There, how
absurd! Thank goodness she is in silk, and
not one of those fy-away muslins" |"
sat on, musing and musing till sud-
denly there was buzz outside the house,
then rush of feet. fancied heard the
word Fire" repeated again and again,
and, turning to the window, there was a
glow which lighted up the whole place.
l dashed down stairs and out of the door,
to find the road thronged, for house lit
lie lower down was in flames, and, to my
horror, l had not taken dozen steps be-
ore l found that it was at our friends the
There was no engine, but a crowd of ex-
,lted people, talking eagerly; and just then
he fire-escape came trund!ing along the
oad.
1t was quite time, for the house as 1
cached it was blazing furiously, the flames ,