Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21
VOL. 74.-37SS. NO. 80.


A hand touched my arm as the words
broke from my lips.
81 beg your pardon, madam you seem
in distress. Can / help-Good heaven
Belle, is it you ?"
Captain Carruthers"
| leaped TO my feet, and we stood face 10
| face. He was bronzed and bearded, but the
frank, kind eyes were unchanged. A wild
| impulse seized upon me TO clasp his hands,
| and tell him how lonely and friendless
was; but woman's pride, stronger even
than woman's love- stifed the desire at its
birth. bowed coldy.
"Why, Belle, you haven't changed; only
you look worn and sad. am so glad to
| meet you. | have written again and again,
until fancied your were dead. How is il
that find you here in Paris ?"
"No matter; l bid you good evening,
| Captain Carruthers."
The glad, kind, handsome eyes widened
with wonder as darted away.
"Dear me, Belle, thought you'd never
| come | didn't like TO keep Carruthers wait
ing. Gracious goodness where are the
flowers ?"
al didn't get them, and can't dress you,
Marguerite. / am going TO my ROOM"
Why, what is the matter. Are you i'll Z"
did not pause to answer. At noon on
the following day, my aunt summoned me
TO her presence.
"You need not read today Belle; / want
to talk with you. You met Captain Car
ruthers in the greenhouse last night Z"
Yes, by accident"
Aunt Edmonton toyed with the tassels Of
her morning robe, and for the first time, to
my knowledge, showed signs of embarrass-
ment.
"By accident, of course | didn't sup
pose you mistook my meaning, my dear.
He's fine fellow, and he and Rite are well
matched, don't you think so Well, nv
dear, his coming changes our programme in
measure We may remain here for the
Winter and your health seems to be fail
ing, and you don't like Paris, Belle, and /
thought -"
You thought you would send me home,
Aunt Edmonton Pray do. | meant to ask
permission to go this very day. am dread
full homesick."
She laughed genially, and, crossing the
room, kissed me with more kindness than
she had ever shown me.
"Then you shall have the permission, my
dear. Mrs. Montague, an old friend Of
mine, leaves Paris tonight, and you shall
go under her charge"
went, leaving giddy Paris behind me
with feeling of infinite relief
But when | reached the old home, how
desolate it was. Winter came, and the white
snow filled the hollows and crowned the
southern hills. Letters from Aunt Edmonton
informed me that they were in Rome, with
Captain Carruthers as escort, and hinted at
a grand wedding when Spring came. Did
care What was Captain Carruthers TO me 7
My fathers FRIEND and must always regard
him with gratitude; and Marguerite would
make him stately, beautiful bride. l
wished them much Joy.
Yet through all the lonesome Winter days
and nights my heart-ache never ceased or
abated.
Spring came and the skies grew soft and
tender. The snow melted, leaving the hills
green and the sunny hollows sweet with
violets.
One March morning went out to rake
the fower-beds The hyacinths and butter
cups were already above the mold, and here
and there green tulip-leaf could be seen.
The winds blew warm from the far South,
the sunshine glimmered like gold, and in
one of the willows over papa's grave blue
bird sang.
threw aside my rake, and sat down to
cry, not in hopeless sorrow, but in newborn
faith.
A step crunched the gravel OF the walk;
tall shadow fell athwart the glimmering
sunshine. / started to my feet.
Captain Carruthers."
"Good morning, Miss Edmonton"
Has my aunt come ?"
"No left her in Venice"
"And you-why are you here ?"
The kind eyes smiled down on me full of
sad reproach.
"To say good-by at once, Belle, if my
company isn't wanted. My regiment off
again, but couldn't go without having one
last look at your face"
All the blood in my heart seemed to burn
in my cheeks.
"Captain Carruthers I"
"Well, Belle p
"Miss Edmonton, if you please"
avery well, Miss Edmonton, then, if you
like it better. We were friends once why
should we not be now p
"Oh, we are friends we shall be some.
thing nearer soon, when you marry my
Cousin Marguerite"
81 shall never marry your Cousin Mar
guerite."
"What she has not refused you ?"
al have never asked her--have never
Wdllcu uci, Dtuc. Out luy udTllug your
eyes tell Inc something that thrills my heart
with hope. Belle, never forgot you. l
wrote dozens of letters, but not one ever
reached you. | only guessed at the truth
few days ago, and am here. Belle, l loved
you years ago-I love you now-I shall al.
ways love you. Tell me the truth. If they
hadn't intercepted my letters and made you
think me false, you would have cared for
me a little"
could not for my life say no. but e.uded
his outstretched arms.
81 thought you were engaged to Mar
guerite. | was sure -"
"You thought wrong Marguerite is
fine woman, and she marries title this
Summer. My darling l have loved no
woman but you"
How the March sunshine glttered, what
a thrill of delight the bluebird sang, swing
ing in the willows. The whole world seemed
to have undergone sudden transformation,
and my heartache was a forgotten thing of
the past.
1t was cruel of your aunt to part us, but
as l don't quite lose you, can afford to for
give her. Belle, wonder if you are as
happy as | am 2 In May thought to be
fighting the Sepoys instead | shall be lis.
tening to the music of my own marriage
bells. No, you shan't put our happiness off
day later than May. Is that heliotrope in
that vase ? Let me put spray in your hair.
There, you are perfect now. You must
wear heliotrope in your bridal crown, Belle
it is my fayorite blossom"