Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-05-12

| ley.
"Good evening, then"
"Good evening"" she answered, with smile.
She returned to the parlor, and sinking into a
deep armchair, with the heavy folds of her
habit still trailing about her, lapsed into
thought-happy thought-for half smile was
on her lips, and her cheek still flushed softly,
and her brown eyes wore pleasant light.
But she reused herself presently, and break
ing from her reverie, rose from her seat, with a
look Of remembrance crossing her face, and the
smile gradually dying away, blended with a
look half of curiosity. half of annoyance.
"That letter John gave me just now-I
wonder what can be in it ?" she said to her.
self.
/ And going to small table beside the window
at which she had lately Stood she took up a
letter lying there.
1t contained an offer of the heart and hand
of the very elegant and excessively superfine
Captain Dudley. Milly's lip slightly cured,
with mingled ridicule and impatience. Twisting
the note heedessly in her fingers, she gathered
up her hat and gloves that were left lying OH
the window seat and, leaving the parlor, went
up stairs to her own apartment.
With her eyes still fixed on the note, long
after the last word was read, Milly became lost
in her old reverie. Gradually, her hand sunk
upon her lap-the paper, unnoticed, uncared'
for, fell to the floor. The clash of the garden
gate, opening and closing, was the only thing
that reused her, last. She heard her fathers
step below-heard him going from room to
rsom, and finally calling: "Milly, my darling,
where are you 2"
Rising with light, half happy, half regret
full sigh, she left her room and went down
stairs to meet her father. The great clock in
the hall struck nine, as she passed through
and reached the library, where she found him.
$50 late, father ~ she said, surprised. 81
did not think it. Where have YOU been-all
this time?"
"Where have you been, Milly?" retorted her
father, laughingly, "that you did not think
it SO late as nine oclock?'
81? Oh, l have been in dreamand," she
said, smiling. "Well, where have you been,
father?"
"Talking with friend of yours, whom /
met, by chance. Well-it is somebody you are
pretty we'll acquainted with. What do you
think of his having proposed for you, Milly?
Now you know who it is--dont you? I met
him Just now, when he opened tho subject to
me-"
Now Milly knew. He had encountered Cap
tain Dudley, or rather, Captain Dudley had |
sought him. She had prepared herself to tell |
her father of the gentleman's proposal, but he
knew of it already, it seemed. The captain ap-
peared to be anxious to make sure work of it,
"Well, Idont think of marrying at present,
sir, answered Miss Glare.
Mr.. Glare regarded her with mingled as
tonishment, severity and ooldness.
" According to YOUR manner Of receiving his
proposal, he said, 81 should say that have
most completely misconstrued your actions, and
it is your fault. Can it be possible that you
have been coquetting with this young man
merely coquetting with him all this time
And after raising his hopes, his expecta-
lions -
"Sir-allow mo- interrupted Milly, with
respect, yet with dignity, while she felt her
cheek growing warm, 81 am unutterly aware
If having ever raised these hopes--these ex-
'ectations-of which you speak. If he enter
aims them they are quite groundless.
Her father rose from his chair, slightly way
ng his hand, as if to end the discussion.
81 confess that have not quite understood
ou Of late them" he said. And now his voice
lad in it less of severity than acute disappoint-
nent Of sorrow-it was more subdued than be-
ore. 81 have not understood you."
These tones brought the quick rushing tears E
0 NIlys eyes.
"1ndeed, indeed, you have not" she said
arnestly, tremulously; "but did not think {
on cared for him so very much, father"
mo matter; no matter now, NTiy," he t
aid. "We will not say any more about this a
Hair tonight. Tomorrow morning he will f
ome over, and then you can see him and tell i
i'm what you think. At present it is nearly :.
me to retire. We will have lights new.''
Milly repressed her tears with difficulty. She o
embed as she gave her father her good night
ss that evening. He saw how her dropping ft
7elashes glstened with those tears, how her r
leek was flushed and hot, and despite what :.
ad passed, he could not help embracing her ; y
18th all his accustomed affectionate tenderness. u
When she met her father at breakfast she G.
'und him affectionate and kindly as usual, but E
rlous and disposed to silence. The last fl
ghts trouble evidently weighed heavily upon n
s mind. This caused her the deepest pain. :,
lie longed to open the subject then and there. y.
,ain to assure him a thousand times of the 81
nocence of wrong intentions; but she re- al
rained herself. u
The morning repast was conducted in quiet, to
r. Clare, almost from its beginning to its | e.,
ose, was engaged in his own reflections. When -
was concluded he repaired 10 the librar, ci
one. And Milly went up stairs to her own vt
ON. But ten minutes had scarcely passed a
1en word was brought her that her father re- h,
tested her to come down into the parlor. In "a
antly obeying this summons, she left her a,
artment and descended to the hall below, 4" ~.
,ere she met her father, who was at that I'll
oment leaving the parlor. ye
" Milly, he said, "Mr. Annesley has come. d,
, awaits you" And passing on, he re-entered Ii,
Q library. :,
With pulses slightly quickened, Miss Clare III
ened the door and entered, beholding Mr.
lnesley as she did 30, standing at distant
ndow, looking out upon the lawn. He turned la