Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-04-11

Udue StTdnBt DTlHuLu6SS,
And then the rose-boughs quivered
and parted, and she met dark eyes bent
upon her, full of deep, tender Joy; and
the hand which she unconsciousg gave
was clasped in one whose lingering
strings; yet the words which he spoke
were commonplace enough.
Mrs. Courtenay has been kind
enough to send me in search of you.
Herself and Mrs. Somers wished to get
rid of me, | suppose, even though at
your expense. hope | have not intrud-
ed upon your romantic retirement?"
"Oh, no. You find the garden look
ing differently now from when you were
last here. And what a lovely day it has
been!"
"It was winter when was last here;
it is spring now, not only in nature, but,
I hope, in our lives, Grace"
Something in his tone made her look
up. Their eyes met, as they had often
met before; but in them now was
light, as OF JOY and promise, which she
had never before seen there, and she
wondered what it could mean.
They sauntered up and down the al
| leys as the golden sunshine faded away
into the far west. But little was spoken
between them, and yet Grace felt that
the shadow had passed away from her
spirit, and that, somehow, the April day
in dying was leaving for her a glory
which it had not known in its dawning.
Meanwhile, in the parlor opening out
upon the terrace, Mrs Courtenay and
her friend, Mrs. Somers, were talking
earnestly.
81 could not rest until had seen you,"
the latter said, with strange tenderness
in her voice and moisture in her eyes,
almost as soon as Arthur Temple had
left them. 81 felt so grieved for you
and Oracle. hope that the dear child
does not take it much to heart"
Mrs. Courtenay flushed.
Really" said she, with dignity, II
am at loss to understand why you
should be grieved or troubled on our
account. If you allude to Colonel
Barksdale's abrupt Departure
ITO Colonel Barksdalep Certainly
not. | do not now consider Colonel
Barksdale worthy of moments con-
sideration from either you or Grace. Ny
allusion was to the failure of the great
bankers, Stokes"
YES, l read of it yesterday in the
papers, though how that can affect us |
| cannon lmaSlnei
why, Caroline, you surprise me.
Was not the whole, or the greater part,
of Grace's fortune in the hands of the
Messrs. Stokes? And if SO, is it not an
almost total loss to her?"
"You are strangely mistaken. Gracie's
| fortune is all safe with the trustees with
marries Who could have given you
such false information?"
Mrs Somers drew long sigh of relief.
young Mr.. Richard Booker told Colo
mel Barksdale this morning"
THAT is strange, considering that his
father is our lawyer here, and knows
more about Gracie's affairs than any one
else"
Il knew that, and it was for this very
reason that we so readily credited young
Booker's report. But what could have
induced him to make such an unfoumded
assertion? He mentioned it to the colo
mel in confidence, desiring him not to re-
peat it; and it was almost by accident
that we discovered it from him before he
left"
"That, then" said Mrs. Courtenay,
with deep flush mounting to each cheek
-" that explains his sudden departure
and his peculiar note"
She turned her head aside to hide the
tears of modification and indignant scorn.
l am so exceeding ly sorry!" began
Mrs. Somers.
And l am exceedingly glad returned
her friend, with decision. mot for the
world would have my child throw her
self away upon so utterly selfish and
mercenary man. | thought he loved
her, she added, in softened voice, land
would make good and devoted husband.
Thank God that this discovery has come
before it would have been too late"
g. agree with you entirely" said her
friend. But" she added, "what puz-
zles me is that Richard Booker could
have so imposed upon the colonel. And
now that think of it, fear that he may
also have deceived Arthur. l had not
intended to mention it so soon, but this
morning, at the same time that the colo
mel received this information concerning
Gracie's loss of fortune, Arthur also re-
ceived note--an inclosure from Mr.. John
Booker now absent-statingt that old Miss
Temple had died and left her fortune to
Arthur, and desiring that it should be
kept profound secret until his return.
And Caroline" she added, with tears in
her eyes, as she laid her hand upon that
of her friend" the poor boy was so
happy-heaIing of Gracies loss and his
own good fortune-that it will be the
cruelest of fates should it turn out to be
mere joke"
The tears rushed also in Mrs. Courte-
nays eyes,
"What contrast between those two.n
she said, softly "The man who could
weigh money against the purity and
sweetness of my child is no fitting mate
for her. He may discover his mistake
and seek to undo it; but he shall never
marry my Grace"
A portly gentleman, riding up the
avenue dismounted in front of the house,
and smilingly lifted his hat to the ladies
at the window.
"Why, there is Mr.. Somerst'' said his
wife. "What could have brought him
here, when he was ust now too busy to
accompany usg"
Evidently nothing serious was the
matter, for Mr.. Somers came in laugh
ing c, A.. .,,o,.o ,,,o,,,a ,oo,
trouble about this matter of Gracie's
| fortune" he said; $50, after seeing Dick
Booker, have come straight to let you
know that it was only joke of his-an
sorry in learning the trouble it had
caused us, and begged that | would not
let on about it to his father; because
said he, IN get such an awful wigging
from the governor, you know"
"As he richly deserves" Mrs. Somers
said. Poor Arthur will be so disap-
pointed"
ooh, never mind Arthur--he will
make his own fortune in time, depend
upon it. Where is he now, and where
is my little GracieP"
"They are both in the garden. l will
call them in, as it is getting late. And