Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-01-25
would surprise her directly by his APP

started nervously to return. AS it grew
darker her dread became terror; she
fancied strange noises were about; her
feet scarcely touched the ground; she
skinned on, fluttering at heart like
some low-fying bird belated from its
nest.
What wonder that she vowed that
night, as she brushed ont her hair, never
to forgive Mr.. Darlington? What won-
der that harmless little bunch of violets
which he had gathered for her the day
previous and which she had treasured in
vase on her dressing case, she now
found faded, disagreeable and odorless,
and that she tossed them pettishly out
into the darkness from her window?
"I detest him and his violets," she
cried. "He may stop in town till dooms-
day, for aught care"
Miss Barron did not sleep well and
rose il the morning with little dull
weight on her feelings. Perhaps" she
thought, "he will not come even to-
day."
As she dressed for breakfast he was
constantly in her mind.
Perhaps he didtt on purpose" she
said. "Perhaps he didn't, but lost the
train. But he had no business to lose
the train," she added Grossly. "Per-
haps he was i'll perhaps some women
had asked him to remain. Well, if so,
don't care," she said. "He shall see l
am happy enough, and not even piqued,
when he comes"
Still, as the day wore on, Madge found
the ladies of the company provoking and
the gentlemen more uninteresting than
ever. Mechanically, towards evening,
she donned the same toilet as on the
night previous, and took circuitous
route Through the garden, that none
might be cognizant of her movements.
Emerging out of sight, she struck straight
for the wood-path and here we find her
again listening for the roar of the train,
notwithstanding all her angry VOWS of the
night before.
Beautiful, cross, unreasonable girl!
Il will not go to the stile," she was
saying to herself, "and that will be a
disappointment to him."
She was somewhat unsettled, however,
for fear she might be in just the same
predicament as on the previous evening,
and have to return through the gloomy
wood alone. She had seven -eighths of a
mind to go straight back, even yet. But
she remainded after all. so perverse is
woman.
At last, with sudden screech, the
engine came steaming along. Miss
Barron began to trace figures on the
ground with her parasol, and put on a
most unexpectant air, her features sink
ing into repose and unconcern benign
enough to befit saint.
She saw Lyndhurst Darlington de-
scend from the train and come striding
on ioyously till he came in sight of the
stile; for, though hidden herself, she
could observe all his movements.
He came on eagerly, looking to the
right and left for her, and almost STUN
bled over Miss Barron.
"Oh, Madge p he cried, as he threw
himself at her feet, ''you did forgive me,
and have come to meet me y
Forgive you, Mr.. Darlington p
Nothing could be more icy cold. "Pray,
what has been your fault?" She looked,
as she spoke, straight before her, but
with an air of surprise which was ex-
ceedingly well counterfeited.
He looked up eagerly into her face as
he answered, "Why, I was buttonholed
to death in town yesterday. 1t seemed
as if a conspiracy had been entered into,
and that every fellow knew had left
his summer haunt to go up to town to
detain me. l transacted but half of my
business, and put off Jack Longley with
only nod on my way to the station. I
suppose he'll never speak to me again.
After all, was one minute too late.
saw the train sweeping out of the sta
tion just as I reached it. I was in dis
pair, thinking you would come to meet
me"
81 did walk down last evening. but
can hardly say, sir, that came to meet
you. did not expect you. / thought,
if business or illness kept you, you
might be gone week. never thought
of you as hobnobbing with your male
friends and sauntering to the station"
" Madge !" and a serious look came
I into his face. "Let us drop pickering,
and begin where we left off yesterday. ii
every well," she replied. 81 be,
lieve the point at which you left off was
whistling, and I was doing nothing in
particular, so if you will strike off O
stave of anything, ]. will demurely, but
admiringly, walk by your side"
"Madgel' he exclaimed excitedly
"I did no such thing. Do men gaze al
statuary or paintings and whistle
Faith, my last remembrance is of a pret
tier picture than an art-room ever held
, 1 saw beautiful woman, looking regret
at my leaving-a woman l want for my
/ wife,"
Here was poser Proposed to i
t came like sweet surprise, nevertheless
: But it was contrary to Miss Barroni
tactics. Were weeks of delightful firt
r ing, to be cut off in moment in thi
fashion? How could he have believed
, her in earnest? 1t was ridiculous. Sh,
? had meant to play the injured mistress
for several days, and make him abject il
his efforts to reinstate himself with her
l She did not want climax reached will
this man. Her heart had told her tina
( it would leave regret which she haC
never known before. To avoid this now
{ she would begin with raillery.
= Really, Mr.. harrington, she said
g "you must be hungry or over-tired, t
make such statement. A well-sprea.
k table, steaming viands, comfort and
r wife, must have shot through your brain
/, ! can assure youa delightful supper nov
= awaits you"
q miss Barron" he began, frowninp
r without apparent notice Of her words
n and rising to his feet, three weeks ag
o 1 did not know you; but in that time a
my life now seems to have becom
o crowded. I never stopped to questio
o your actions. 1t seemed as if there wa
no need of asking for VOWS, they woul
e denote commencement of love.