Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-23
A Merchants Test.

A Merchants Test.
The day was yet young when traveller
left the train at the little station at Norton,
and, leaving directions about his baggage
with the station-master, sauntered leisurely
up the road. He had engaged summer lodg.
ings by letter, and was seeking his desti-
nation.
"Go straight ahead till you come to it,"
This was the staton-master' direction, so
straight ahead Lucian Gaylord proceeded
till he paused to look at a tdbledu uiudnt,
framed in towering vines. A girl seated
upon shady porch shelling peas. Her
broad hat was pushed back, leaving face
exposed purely oval delicate-featured, creamy
of complexion, with brown eyes, and golden
hair drawn simply back in waving band, to
fall in clustering curls around the slender
| throat Most unlike rustic beauty was the
high-bred face, the slender white hands, the
self-possessed pose ; but yet the dress was
quiet brown calico, with white apron, with
ruffles and cuffs.
While Lucien Gaylord looked at her she
raised her beautiful eyes and saw him.
He raised his hat, asking;
"Can you direct me to Miss Strong's I"
at is here,' was the answer.
And opening the gate, Lucien entered,
|
voice was as deliciously refined as the face.
al am Lucieu Gaylord" he said, by way
of introduction.
"My Aunt Maria's new lodger. You had
better rest on the porch before call her.
It is a tresome sunny walk from the station.
Perfectly easy, with just sufficient cor
diality in the tone for welcome, Lucien &C.
cepted the invitation, and started the con-
versation, watching the dainty fingers she'll
ing peas, with touch that was light, yet
firm.
Miss Strong appeared presently aud took
her new lodger to his room, asking her niece
to carry the pan to the kitchen.
For we'll give you an early dinner after
your long walk" she said, Hospitality,
bustling about to bring cold water and fresh
towels.
"You sent your trunkP l will have it
sent up as soon as it comes"
"May," she told her niece, /" he is a gen.
tleman, every inch of him, and handsome as
picture"
al like his manner" May answered, wash
ing her peas at the sink. " Shall make a
custard, aunty ?"
"If you will, dear. Oh, dear, to think Of
Cynthia's taking this day Of all others to
act so"
For Cynthia, the only servant, had been
detected in the act of passing spoons from
the kitchen window to a villainous looking
tramp and the pair had been handed over
} to the village constable.
} None appearing to replace the thieving
Cynthia, May was often found in the kitchen
, not very efficient, but willing, and succeed
ing in many culinary triumphs, simply by
obeying orders.
, "I'll make good cook of you yet" hei
! aunt often said, and she laughed merrily al
the words.
Y But Luclen Gaylord, enjoying a brie
g summer holiday, often wished heartily tina
he might be permitted to live upon breat
: and milk, if by so doing he could keep Ma.
T. out of the kitchen.
e Whenever she was free she found hin
(; waiting for her. aud they sat on the porch
s or walked in shady lanes, chatting pleas
y antly, gradually going beyond surface talk
; mutually interested and pleased to find 8
r much sympathy of thought, and feeling tina
e time sped on too swiftly when they wer
N together.
B. lie told her of his boyhood with a wealth
> father, who died suddenly, leaving nothin
'e of a once handsome fortune Of his mothe
is who sank soon after under the pressure G
e sorrow and poverty of his own position q
= clerk in wholesale house, upon a sma
p salary.
" Not until they were fast friends did
IT tell her of this, and little later he told hi
he of a new dream, new hope, a love deaf
O. only could destroy.
IS "Will you let me take back to my druid
in cry the hope that if can conquer fortur
I'd you will share it ?" he asked. "Will yc
n. be my wife, love, in that future in which
" hope to gather about me at least comfort f
ls- a home p
le- He had wooed her in straightforward
ds manly fashion, and she was not surprised.
nd She put her hand in his, promising all
ur asked.
of He went back to his desk in the autum
re- but only week later was offered bett
or position in the counting-house Of the M
or, chant, John Burnette.
be "It is so strange" he wrote to May, an
ny Burnette himself seems so interested in n
OF though am an entire stranger to him.
watches me and promotes me rapidly, see
ingly pleased with all do. Darling, if Il
continues, our home will soon be secure u
a.. 1t did continue
~ ~ Nearly two years had passed, when G
'nd morning Mr.. Burnette called Lucien il
,n w his private office, closing the door after hi
nI, al am about to make a strange disclos'
,e,p to you" he said, gravely, "and you IN
Va weigh well what | say to you. Up to t
~, IT, time you have known me only as a frie
''s TO friend. | am a rich man, but / have I
hs friends, Lucien Gaylord. Shall count .
"a as one ?'
au 'a". "You honor me, he faltered, overwheln
;ds with surprise.
a'S lue 81 am father" Mr.. Burnette said, az
Jh, ah,, my only child is daughter whose fut
on. has been to me subject of deep prayer
os anxiety. have feared that when die,
~ II wealth that would leave would make
~. "a. have feared that my business would
~. to ruin in incompetent hands, Often h
80 | hoped to meet at some time an honors
,aaa ,, man, to whom could teach the secret of
'a,v ~;,v success aud who might succeed to my b
',y ~, ness. have prayed that when die, mi
asD, leave my child under the protecting car
~ husband who had not sought her wea
,hu man of pure heart and firm princi
,a,, nu Lucien Gaylord, have found the ma
'ass sought. To-day you will dine with me
aoIs " be introduced to Miss Burnette."
eoAo ~ ar"
Wy The cry broke from Lucien's lips in
rons utter amazement, that he thought he n
'ou1 our dream, or that his employer was insane.
,sn.a "You," was the quiet answer.
ont on, "But it is impossible" Lucien said, slS
nm. regaining self-possession.
hand !. npossiT,1 WI ;,, wny ,,.s,I ~, "s w..
10 ~ tuous, but cannot accede TO your n,
sn eo =, generous plan. Faithful service, true fri
~ ra,; ship, can give you gladly, but you !
,ns;, ro seek another heir, another son-in-law.
ans not free"
a. snd IL "You refuse my daughter 7"
: SO 40. al have given my love and won hes
- '' cannot betray."
"May ask where ~
"My promised wife is no heiress, b
simple country maiden, lovely and ge