Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-05-09
al Never Will"
A SENSIBLE LOVE STORY.

SENSIBLE LOVE STORY
al never will sal Madge Roper, her
beautiful brown eyes flashing with indigna.
ton.
Forgive me, Miss Roper" said Mr.
Schenck. 81 said it in a sort of despera-
ton, for | cannot-I could not think such a
passion as mine could fail to call out re-
sponse sooner or later"
"You are mistaken" she answered, haught-
lily; and, as you know, this is not the first
time have assured you of the fact. | trust
it is the last"
81 withdraw my plea and myself finally
Miss Roper. Goodmorning %
He said it with such dignity that Madgt
respected him more than she had ever done
and her face softened. But Mr. Schenck
did not see it; he took himself and hi
troubles out of sight, if not out of mind
But as Madge turned to leave the parlor. SHE
heard boyish voice from some hding-place
singing loudly, with mischief in every in
lection
Hear what Highland Nora said
The Earlies son / will not we'd
Little wretch !" muttered Madge, biting
her pretty red lips "he must be all this
time in the conservatory. And now Aunt
Phemy will know all about it. | may as
well tell her."
So she traied the folds of her deep blue
dress slowly up the stairs to Aunt Phemy's
room. Miss Euphemia was sitting in her
armchair by the window, tiny old lady.
with soft, silver white hair, and quaint
black satin wrapper, illustrated with deli
cate laces, and the sparkle of one great dia-
mond on her little hand She was a cripple
whose sole change was from her bed 10 her
great chair; but for all that. she was the
heart of the house, and her keen and kindly
eyes saw everything that was to be seen, but
her tongue kept charitable silence.
Madge's mother had died young, and Aunt
Phemy had come to her brothers house to
take care of him and his child till his wife's
place might be filled; but that had never
happened. Mr.. Roper was a grave, reticent
man. and when the one love of his life flut-
tered away from him like weary and storm
spent moth, his heart shut itself for all time ;
he even seemed to have little fatherly love
for the little wailing baby, whose birth he
resented in his secret soul, as one resents
murder.
But now he was proud of his beautiful
and graceful daughter, proud of her spirited
character, her good breeding, her crowd of
admirers and Madge was equally proud Of
her handsome, high-minded father, though
there was little of the diviner element of
love lost between them.
Many and many an admrer fell at Madge's
feet--and no wonder The girl was young,
fresh, lovely and intelligent, aud every charm
she had was illumined by the fittest results
of wealth and taste. A beautiful girl is
beautiful in spite of calico; she is enchant-
brown hair. dazzling vet tenderlv tinted
complexion. her soft, proud ewes, her slender
and exouisitely moulded figure. her feet. her
hands. were all perfect. and the insipidity
of perfection was removed by the vivid and
variant EXPRESSION of the soul within.
As she entered Aunt phemy's room this
morning. with the dark blue folds of her fine
wool dress falling from her delicate waist.
and her face HEIGHTENED by a color thai
Shamnd tbe carnations which fastened IN.
abundant lace scarf about her throat th4
dear old lady looked at her with adorinp
ewes for Madpe was her aunty's idol. But
the girl did not come at once for her dali,
kiss? She smiled. and then she walked acro,,
the room to the other window. and began to
NEEDLE with the mipuonette and pineh the
rose.oeraniums. Aunt Phemy waited-she
was woman who could wa tEaud presently
Nadpe Aitted suddenly across the floor. and
drop6ed softly. as A little bird folds up into
its nest. ON IN the brioehe beside her aunt,
chair and laid her head on its arm
81 could not come up before Auuty Fee.
Mr.. Schenck was downstairs"
Miss Rorer said nothing. but laid her
hand tenderly on the rich folds of hair, and
looked at that beautiful head like benev.
dent old fairy. She knew when Made.
called her :. Aunty Fee" that il was propi.
tiatorv .ssometbing had been done or said
that his wavward vouno woman was moi
ouite at ease about.
" And-auuty." Madpe went on. slowly.
picking carnation to pieces as she spoke,
aI-refused him"
81 thought YOU had done that long ago.
Madge." said the old lady, with certain
trouble in her kind ewes.
$50 have, over and over, but he wouldn't
stay refused. | think he will now" Here
her voice rose and rang, and her ewes flashed
The indignation returned. 81 never will
marry him, Aunt Phemy-neperl And |
think he understands it at last"
Miss Roper's ewes sparkled now she was
old and wise.
"Don't be troubled about it, Madge dear
nobody can harass YOU ON the matter. II
you don't love man, don't marry him, ii
he be king or kaiser. Jacob Schenck is q
good man and gentleman, but | think he
Is far too old for a rosebud like you"
Oh, Aunt Euphemia you too had been a
girl, and remembered it. A little spark en-
tered Madges cool eye.
Hes not so very old, auntyi fifty isn't
really old for man.
No, it's not decrepit, but 1t Is something