Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-12-22
"But I'll make him believe in it

ere we went back to the parlors, where
our temperance was greeted with much
merriment, and was made the subject of
more sly jokes than good taste seemed
to me to warrant. Elise took it very
coolly.
"Did Mr.. Van Dyke propose to you? ?"
asked Julia
/ "Of course he did. You see, Mr.. Van
Dyck, made bet l could get you to
propose -
| Could believe my ears? How had
my idol become clay!
] The guests shortly utter departed, aud
when goodnight had been spoken we all
retired to our rooms.
Elise pressed my hand when no one
observed us. and whispered:
"Dream of me dearest u
1t was long before slept that night
for excitement. l lay awake, haunted
by the vision of a dazzling creature in
scarlet satin, varied now and then by an
other vision-that of fairy-like little
lady in white, with great gentle eyes.
l was frightened, too. at the thought
of my own precipitancy, and very doubt
full as to what my father would say to
Elise as my wife. 1 could not deny
even to myself, that she was forward
and bold.
1t was, as may be imagined, with
very mixed emotions that l descended to
the breakfast-room the next morning.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arundel greeted me cor
daily, and soon Miss Arundel appeared,
looking very fresh and sweet in her
; white morning-dress, with clusters of
scarlet geranium blossoms in her hair
and at her throat.
l was more impressed by her than l
had been the evening before, and won
dered how l had failed to appreciate
her extreme beauty and loveliness.
We were enjoying an animated con-
versation when the door opened, and a
tall youth of fifteen or thereabouts en-
tered the room.
"My son Fred, Mr.. Van Dyck." said
Mr.. Arundel.
The lad advanced and seized my hand
in hearty clasp, and-no could it
be? The dark eyes, the saucy smile,
the clustering ourle had all belonged to
my Elise of last evening.
If any doubts remained, they were
dispelled by burst of laughter, in
j, which all were fain to join.
"We don't, l fear, meet as lovers this
morning, Mr.. Van Dyck?" queried the
impressible youth. Nevertheless, you
need not look daggers at me. Come now
confess that l took you in capitally
You never dreamed Elise was Fred 2"
! Indeed, no." l agreed, joining in the
laugh, although it was at my own ex
- pense. 81 never was so completely
:, Sold"
a II shall teach Julia how to manag,
IS such affairs" continued the elated Fred
n "She has much to learn yet. No ont
J. ever proposed to her on an evenings ac
q.
% quaintance, I'll be bound. Don't lool
J. SO chop-fallen. old fellow; dare say II
y be as big fool over as pretty a girl
ir Rouge and satin gown add greatly t.
g my beauty"
80 you puppy !" cried his father, il
e an interval of choking laughter. "Hav
y done with your nonsense, and take you
seat at the table. Had l dreamed yo,
d would have carried your joke so far. II
e. not have humored it. Mr.. Van Dye
r, will think we have broken all the law
l. of hospitality
"Not at ALL" / murmured. IL enjo
N a good joke" My polite answer wa
0, made despite agonies of modification
!; MY smile was intended to disarm tn
1t suspicion that | might be chewing tn
l. cud of bitter meditation beneath it m
soliloquy was, "What a precious foe
l, I've made of myself!''
s. Silently l determined to leave th
scene where had enacted so sorry
ne part at the earliest opportunity.
"l'll take Mr.. Van Dyck in tow,
d, announced Master Fred. sHe sha
benefit by my rowing and billiards, a
:; ter all. 1t will be better for you, Nj
Van Dyck, than to leave you to Julia
L music and croquet, which often prov
ed snares to the unwary. AS to her en-
broidery, that's even worse, for into
op she weaves hearts y
~ "Don't be SO silly, Fred" suggeste
| Julia, blushing deliciously.
Breakfast proceeded pleasantly enoug
n and every one seemed bent on maxim
me feel at home, and in dispelling an
ng disagreeable impressions l might ha,
received from late events. They su
,r- ceeded so we'll that before the meal W;
Ill over | felt quite at ease.
Somehow | didn't leave in such h.
ty haste as in my first moments of chagri
lss had determined, but fingered on fro
day to day. When at last I did tai
nd | mn dam rtnro IL wao NTH the nnda