Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-12-22

little hint Of Alice's summer Irritation,
abe thought love was the reason that
neither position nor wealth gained the
day.
That Christmas morning two pretty
gifts had been sent Alice from her lovers.
One. o basket Of rare winter blossoms.
with note from DR.. Ellis Fame. asking
her to wear rose for him that night as
a token Of consent. The other, q costly
jewelled chatelaine with all its pretty
accompaniments, from Frank Merrill,
and warm letter of affection, begging
her TO "wear his. chains now and for
ever"
There was TO be an informal gather.
ing OF friends in Mrs. CanAeld's parlor
that evening, and as Alice stood before
tie mirror arranging herself for the oc.
casion, she played a little game with
Fate. First. she fastened q "red, red
rose" in her glossy brown puffs and
curls, then she hooked the silver chain
Of the beautiful chatelaine, with its fan
and tablet, and vinaigrette, around her
slender waist, then she smiled and
nodded her head, and whispered TO her
pretty image in the glass:
"Either becomes you, my dear If
Frank Merrill walks in under the oracle
toward me first, down comes the flower
il Ellis Fame be the conquering hero, I
cast my chain and wear roses. I have
decided, my wishbone shall tell me
whom am to marry T.
Notwithstanding she iested in this
light, heartless manner with her future,
there was nervous tremor around her
heart after she came down stairs and
entered the rooms. Her aunt and cousin
were entertaining some guests at the ex-
treme end of the salon, when Alice
heard steps ascending the stairs and
the voices of her two lovers were borne
on to her ears. Was it to be rose or
silver =?
"Walk in-Nfiss Abbot will be pleased
to see you, I assure you." It was DR..
Fame who spoke, and Alice began to tug
at the chain, then she looked up and be-
held Gerome Reid Knight walk in under
the wishbone and come toward her.
The room swan, and amidst the greet
ing and explanation which followed,
Alice murmured some incoherent words
about surprise, pleasure, superstition,
etc."
"My friend Knight came down to
Garfield for his Christmas, Miss Abbot,
and discovering he had met you one
summer up in the mountains, I made
him sure of welcome here with me
tonight"
"You were quite right, DR.. Fane,"
replied Alice with warm blush. 81
am truly pleased to see your friend, as
well as my summer acquaintance, whom
I feared had forgotten me-"
"It would be impossible for one hav-
ing seen Miss Abbot to forget her." said
Mr.. Knight, with an earnest look. II
have been abroad since our adieux were
made among the mountains, and have
thus been deprived of further acquain-
tance with my friends at home"
"Mr. Knight has evidently been to
France, and acquired talent for COM
pliment," returned Alice smiling.
"Auntie," to Mrs. Garfield, who now
came forward, "Let me present to you
my Glen Mountain artist, Mr.. Gerome
Reid Knight my aunt, Mrs. Garfield"
"Miss Abbot has acquired talent for
Aattery I fear, am mere sketcher,
scarcely an artist, Mrs. Garfield"
Mrs. Garfield disclaimed his modesty,
having seen his pictures, and carried
him off to present to her guests.
"You wear my roses, Alice I may
hope then, that you will no longer put
me off with evasive answers It is yes ?"
Ellis Fame whispered these words with
warm look of admiration at the beauti-
full head which was decked with his
flowers.
Alice grew pale. She could no longer
determine to marry either of these suit
ors. Her Knight had appeared, and
although he had not spoken, nay, she
did not know that he even would, yet
her heart was not hers to give any other.
"Forgive me, if have misled you I
wore your roses as the gift of friend,
no more.
Her words were low and her voice
trembled.
E Ills Fame looked at her with reproach-
full eyes, and walked away without
another word.
It was Frank Merrill's turn now. He
had watched his chance, and seing Alice
alone, he strobe across the room, ard
lifting up her fan said hurriedly
"Alice, you have made me happy, you
wear my chains believe me they shall
never be aught but bright and silvered
through all your life.
"But, Mr.. Merrill, You mistake Il did
not otmean-" a--s-----
".What ! You do not mean, by accept
ing and wearing my gift that you will be
my wife!'
"No. Iwore it tonight because"
because you are heaNless firt, and
delight in torturing me. will no Ion
ger be triled with, Alice, you must
answer me, yes or no, tonight. Let it
be yes ?" he pleaded.
at must be no." and Alice's voice
sank to a whisper, and she bowed her
head. She had trifled with both these
men they loved her, and feeling now,
in her own heart, that love was, indeed.
a strong, overruling passion, she felt
ashamed of her heartlessness towards
them.
Mrs. Garfield and her friends coming
forward at this iuncture, the passionate
protest that rose to Frank Merrill's
lips was interrupted, but he looked SO
u 4 IL NJ