Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-09-12


love you, he said. and have loved yol
ever since our eyes met that afternoon
three weeks ago. Sweetheart, can you
do you love me9
She hesitated second, drew back, ant
looked at him with soul-lit eyes.
Brunei Carmel, she said archly, l con
fess you speak briefly, but eloquently. Ii
what school have you so perfected your
selfp
Then, with deep tenderness, she added
Yes, love you
The sun had set, and the sea was III
aglow with gorgeous tints.
Dearest, am happy, he said; | am be-
ginning TO live. | am three and thirty
with stock of worldly knowledge o
which | was somewhat proud, but | real
ize now, for the first time, what love is
We are engaged, are we notp Serena
hold out your left hand.
With II shy laugh she extended it. Ht
took ring off his own hand and place.
it upon hers with warm kiss. just ther
the wind blew cold and sharp. She start
ed to her feet and cried
Come, it is late. The wind chilled me
declare the stars are already out. Ant
there are no tints in the sky to remind III
of the sunset.
| Boom, boom, sang the ocean; bis
waves broke on the sand ut their feet. Sc
rena sprang back, uttering an exclamation
of dismay, and gathered the graceful
folds of her tleecy blue dress in hel
hands.
We must hurry back to Mrs. Rye's, she
laughed. came near getting wet then
What will she think of my being out u
this hour? 1t is surely long past sever
o'clock. She will give me pretty scold
ing, | have no doubt, for being so impru
dent.
What beautiful afternoon this ha!
been, he calculated, walking along the
beach with her. | should like to live il
over again. Do you know you have no
told me what you have gotten into YOU
dear head All this time have been wait
ing to hear it.
Have you, indeed9 Well, l intend tC
let you wait longer. 1t may do you good
perhaps.
How beautiful you are. In second
we will be in full view of the village, anC
| want kiss. Will you give me oneP
A ringing laugh, u sudden rush, and she
had vanished ahead in the cleaning. He
called out, and followed in quick pursuit
but it was in vain. lie lost sight of the
dark figure. As he walked up the path o
the small garden, Mrs. Rye's pride, ia
milar voice exclaimed
Well, dear boy, at last you have made
your appearance. have been waiting
two hours for you, Where have yor
been?
He ran forward eagerly.
Harold Forimel! he cried, joyfully
you here? When did you arrive? How
are all fellows? How glad l am to set
you.
Serena, brcathless after her run, stooG
at her window that looked out upon tht
garden which faced the ocean. She hat
stationed herself there to watch her lovers
return and to inlale the salty evening
wind.
Harold Florimel here! she murmuret
brokenly, and falling upon her knees by
the window-sill. He here! Oh, wish ht
had not come! Oh, | wish he and Bruno
were perfect strangers.
She did not know what she should Dc
when the bell rang for supper. She rost
from her crouching position, and stool
still for few minutes to think.
must face him, she said aloud, after
awhile. My heart, have courage. Come
what will, he will never forsake theel
She left the ROOM She entered the din
ing-room with great dignity-as was usua
with her-her blue dress caught here ant
there with bows of ribbons of the samt
hue, sweeping behind her most gracefully
A sharp glance at the table informed hel
that neither of the gentlemen she expect
ed to see were present.
Mrs. Asten, our friend is away tonight
said Mrs. Rye, passing her Il cup of lea
IN elegant gentleman came for him at five
o'clock and patiently sat on the porch and
gazed at the sea till he returned. They
have gone to the hotel together, and | an
not going to keep tea for Mr.. Carmel.
Serena heaved a sigh of intense relief
Twas something not TO encounter Mr.
Florimel at present, she thought. That
evening the past came to her and torment.
ed her. How her ears and face burned as
she recalled it. Towards one o'clock Mr.
Carmel came home through the night
shadows. She was on the long piazza, in
low rocking chair, alone with the STARS
and the roar of tie sea, her little white
hands clasped together in her lap. 1t was
her habit to sit up late and watch the moon
rise out of the water, Tonight she sat up
in hopes of seeing him before she retired
lie came to where she sat, and stood by
her without saying single word. Tlit
face appeared white and set in the star
| light, she fancied. He drew chair up to
her presently, seated himself and took her
right hand in his. He did not attempt
any other caress. Immediately her heart
knew that something was amiss,
Serena, he said-oh, how Coldly he ut
tered that old-fashoned name-would you
object to telling me of yourself your life,
everything connected with you? l should
like TO know your by-gone!
She caught her breath and felt giddy
Had he heard anything about her? And,
! if SO, what had he heardP Must she tell
him all that had transpired in her unevent-
full life? Somehow she felt afraid Of him
under the cold glitter of the stars. He
seemed as cold as they. She knew she had
done no great wrong, but how could he
regard her IL, tions and account for them
Could he be severe, cruel to her? Could
she trust him with her story? She did not
know what to say, how much or how little
to tell him. The blank pause that occurred
after his question made him think what he
had heard was true. He felt terribly dis.
appointed.
| should really like to hear anything
you will please tell me, he said with n
sigh. Will you not please me?
Then she knew she must speak. Her
heart sank, and she began TO feel bitter;
why did she not stop to consider?
Oh, yes, am willing to tell you every
thing, she answered in n constrained
voice. am willing to tell you everything
you would care to know. However, there
is not so very much to tell. My life has
not been very evenlful. 1t has rippled on
pacidly. Suppose you ask me questions,
which / shall answer as best can? am
II poor story-teller. 1t will be an agree
able way; and you will always recolect
that what you desired to ask me was fully
answered
She had msgivings as she said that.
She WAS not very sure she could answer
freely everything he might ask. He still
held her hand. She did not think OF
Withdrawing it. She wistfully looked at
the stars, and thought this phase of his
character was not in keeping with, or AS
sweet US that of the afterpoon.
Tell me why you married Mr. Asten.