Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-14
,whiskers just the rich dark brown to set off

Why Minnie, I'm ashamed of you; on
would think you were desperately IN love al
ready" Grace turned to her Middlemarch,
which all this time had been folded in he
arms, confessing strange sensation in he
own heart as she found her place.
No, I'm not in love- persisted Minnie
but do admire noble-looking man, b,
he young or old, and think you have n,
right to condemn Mr.. Gordon with Just hear
say; Judge not that We be not Judged.
This is good place to bring out good o.
evil, your mamma says one has got to TAX,
decided stand at the fashionable places.
Exactly, that is what am doing. Ther,
is so much put on in this world, that on,
must watch carefully to discern the truth
! may be prejudced but my experience il
returned Californians has not been pleasant
or gratifying. You know there was Davic
Warren, what a contemplate splurge h,
made when he came home, lighting his ci
gars with ten dollar bills, while his sistei
did plain sewing for living; talking Sc
loud their peculiar slang; stalking out o
church at least twice every service to dis
play his great gold-headed cane, diamond
rings-four on one hand how his watch
chain and seals clanked like prison irons
staggering along the street brayng like
donkey of the ease he could make money"
You draw charming picture, declare
Grace; | think you could edify even Mr.
Gordon with your opinion Of him-but
must dress"
Mrs Corydon's party had been at the sea
side three weeks when our story opens en-
joying every minute in quiet way. They
seemed complete in themselves, and, although
in a fashionable hotel, had not cared to
mingle very much in the gay society. They
walked or rode according to fancy, governed
by no whims Of what "they say" Mrs
Corydon was not only beautiful and true
woman, but rarely gifted. Her memory was
wonderful her mind highly cultured.
Grace was rare girl, from a little child
prize to her mother. She early showed a
desire for knowledge when only two years
old she carried great, green beetle to her
mother and piled her with questions, from
that hour she was companion in study, de
veloping so rapidly she might, with truth,
be called child after her mothers heart.
Minnie was beautiful singer and Flora
an accomplished musician, though without
voice. She handled piano with that rare
touch that shows the finest skill and cult
vation. They all caught Mrs. Corydon's
love of the sea, and delighted in its chang
ing moods Now lashed into fury by storms,
dashing and breaking in great pillows upon
the shore, seething and roaring in maniacal
horror; tossing vessels helpessly, like feath-
ers on its bosom great timbers came plung.
ing end over end on shore, many times bury
ing in the sand. Then to see the monster
die--the mountain waves lessening like
dying breaths-the heavy surge, the lazy
swash, the slow, creeping, frothy fingers
reaching coyly far up the beach for any
loose prey. closing around and carrying out
to grave in the blue sea.
The Californian grew in favor in this
transient home by the sea, sought and lion
lied beyond his desire, yet never so content
as with Mrs Corydon's quiet party. alt
is so nice to be with those who knew me
when a boy" he offered as some excuse for
his partiality He was favorite with all
but Grace she treated him politely but not
graciously. She sang with him at some of
their evening entertainments the harmony
of their voices exquistely thrilling the
hearers. The public began to be clamorous
and demanded admittance, until they con-
sented to spend an evening occasionally in
the hotel parlors, where Mrs, Corydon's
matchless readings spiced the song.
Mr.. Gordon consented, after repeated in
vitations, to lecture upon the Eldorado. 1t
was a success. To hear him was to see the
picture itself. When he led his audience
up to the grand Yosemite, the enthusiasm
knew no bounds. He stood as it were with
his hands uplifted to the hoarv mountain
peak. while he described the natural seen
cry. They saw the giddy height, the shin.
mering, silvery sheet fall and break in mil
lions of pearl-drops; they felt the spray OH
their face; saw the crowning glory of the
sunlight turn the pearl to amber, then to
topaz, to ruby heard the dash in the gorge
below. Then, when he called it one OF
Gods pictures, touched by his artist fingers,
j-weled from his lavish hand, all for the de
light of man, aud closed with the appeal.
80 Mighty Father who could disbelieve
in thee ?" Grace dropped her head to hide
her tears and said, in her heart -
90 Mr. Gordon, | have misjudged you 70
Mr.. Gordon planned picnic for the next
day, inviting large party to go by boat
about ten miles, where the cliffs were high.
broken, and romantic. He reached Grace ;
side just as she was on the hotel steps.
"They say the drive to the cliffs is de-
lightful. Will you go with me in my car
riage 7" he whispered.
Grace remembered her thoughts during
the lecture, and replied, without hesitation,
and with decision remarkable to herself -
81 will"
"Thank youl" foated to her as she ran
to her room, with one of those sudden revul-
sions a quick, sensitive nature readily under.
stands.
She was provoked at herself who had said
such hard things against Mr.. Gordon, then
to ride alone with him.
EVERYBODY will miss him, everybody will
miss me. will go straight to mamma
she will not approve, so that will be the end" "
Mrs. Corydon was rather sorry Grace had
given her word, as it would be conspicuous
but Minnie came bounding in, with an invi-
tation from Mr.. Benson, Mr.. Gordon's friend,
recently arrived, to go in carriage, to which
she had given only partial consent.
You are more prudent than Grace, I'm
sure but should think a conspiracy had
been formed to force me from my right"
laughed Mrs. Cory don. d" l shall feel better
to have you both 60"
Morning dawned as July mornings will
sometimes, cool enough for wraps, but
bright, blue, beautiful. The party set off in
the highest spirits, and for the first half hour
the four We're not missed then the inquiry
went around; finally answered, to the dis
NallHldtilbI Vi SOilt, bOlt ny
Up hill and down shadowy dell, sometimes
winding far into the country to escape some
rocky, precipitous cliff, the carriages rolled
along; the sweet breath of country ming
ling with that from the sea, delight, Joy.
Miss Corydon "-she had snubbed him
once when he called her Grace-"I am
going to ask you plain question. Why do
you dislike me? Why, of all friends meet
here, do you treat me so coldly | have
wanted to ask you this some time now be
frank enough to answer"
Grace was surprised at the question, and
the blush deepened on her cheek, burned its
way over her beautiful neck, painful with
intenseness. She was conscious that Mr..
Gordon's eyes were fixed upon her. He
checked his horses, laid the reins in her
burning palms, and jumped from the car
riage, returning soon with handful OF
wild daisies.
"There," he said, i've not seen any of
these since left home
60 There is something about these wild flowers
That touches me like poetry, They breathe
Out Of their lives so unobtrusiyely,
Like
You, Miss Corydon;" he tossed them in her
lap, taking the reins
Z" You quote I.ongfelow. Do you like
his poems p was all the notice she took of
the compliment.
"You answer my question, will yours, -
was the reply.
"Well, | will answer frankly, as you de-
sire" Grace returned, quite herself again.
81 admit have been greatly prejudiced,
aud not without cause, against California
society, and those have met from there