Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-09-17

pearance | am impatient to see her-a
woman that won't get married. Pray, did
she ever have an offer "a bona fde one,
mean"
eyes, indeed; 10 my certain knowledge
she has sent six suitors of distracted. Take
care she don't send you'll"
" ! am not a marrying man, you know"
Shall peep into fpturity again ?"
"Not If you love me, COZ. But when
comes this lady fair ?"
"Next week, IL nothing happens. But
warn you Of your heart, Ned Don't lose
II, for she will keep her word, now after re-
fusing the men she has p
"And who wants her to marry me 2 Not
I'll help her keep her resolution"
And she'll help you keep yours, I'll war
rant partnership profitable to both. Wen
see, Ned, how it prospers. tremble, though,
for Willie's fortune 70
Beware, COZ, or you'll have me knock
ing over little beggar girls again." and he
departed
The maiden came at the appointed time,
and greatly indeed was the young bachelor
disappointed in her appearance. Instead of
the lank, awkward, ugly-looking spinster he
bad expected TO see-for he had somehow,
in spite of his cousins description, formed
the idea that none but such woman would
protest so earnestly against a welded life
instead of such, he beheld one Of the most
fairy-like creatures that ever fitted in
poets mind when he dreamed "of fair wo-
men," A brow like sunlit Gala cheeks
like the heart of wild rose lips like its
bud in the morning; eyes so sparkling with
soul-light that you cared not TO see If they
were black, or hazel, or blue dark, silken
hair waving over her forehead like shadow
on snow, aud falling in long curls upon a
neck OF swan.like beauty; most dainty lit
tie hand, and graceful foot; form of true
but delicate proportions a voice like sing
ing birds mind highly cultivated, versed
in feminine accomplishments roguish, arch,
and sedate by turns. Such was Ella Stan
ley, the maiden who had foresworn matri-
mony.
"What think you of her asked Mrs. Lee
of her cousin, the first time they were alone.
" She is angelic" was the earnest answer
"A pity she should live and die an old
maid, isn't it, Ned p-and waste her sweet
ness on the desert air."
"lf | were marrying man, I'd do my
best to break her resolution"
"But as you are not, you'll help her keep
twill you 2"
"lndeed, | will" said he; and when he
sat that night in his lonely parlor, he repeated
the words many times, and with increasing
emphasis.
"'Twould break my heart to see one so
lovely so truly womanly, fettered in soul and
body by welded tie. Nay, I'll help her
keep her resolution"
And great pains he took to shield her
from temptations of a wooing nature. No
cavalier but himself, bachelor sworn, did
he allow TO escort her out, or wait upon her
indoors. And that others might not think
he was ungenerous, he never let her lack for
any delicate attention that a marrying man
might have been disposed TO show. Her
bouquet-holdei was ever filled with the
choicest flowers the little alcove window,
where she made her favorite seat, was ever
strewn with rare engravings aud costly
books her music stand was laden with the
latest songs, her card basket filled to the
brim with perfumed invitations to the gal
leries of art, the concert halls, the festivity
of any kind that happened in that brilliant
circle. Had he been her chosen lover, he
could scarcely have done more.
1t will do for me to offer such atten-
tions," he would say to cousin Mary, abe
cause, though young am not a marrying
man."
" should never allow myself to receive
such attentions from your cousin, had not
we both foresworn matrimony," would Ella
say to the same lady,
Cousin Mary laughed in her sleeve, but
like prudent woman, never said word.
Thus matters passed along some months,
when one morning, as Edward called to take
Ella out to ride his cousin met him at the
door, and with face that expressed much
anxiety told him the lady was quite i'll.
all why, Mary Ella ill Why didn't
you let me know it. Have you sent for a
physician p
awe have done all we can for her. She
was taken suddenly and violently last night
but the doctor says, if kept perfectly quiet,
she will be out in few days"
81 think I'll stay with you to-day, Mary,
and help keep Willie still, for he is a little
noisy fellow, you know, and can manage
him better than any of you"
81 shall be glad to have you," and in
spite of her anxiety-for Ella had been for
a few hours very sick-an arch smile dim
pied the lips OF the young matron as she
ushered Edward into the nursery
Most patiently did he play with the little
, teasing fellow committed to his charge
Never cry from the baby-boy disturbed
the sick maden's rest that day, nor on the
four succeeding ones that interviewed ere she
was convalescent; and no lover could have
seemed happier than Edward when Ella
appearing at the paror door, attended by
his cousin, he begged and obtained per
mission to lead the pale maiden to her al
cove seat.
"The doctor says she must be kept very
quiet" said Mrs Lee, when having duly
seen the rich cashmere folded about the
Z, delicate creature, and the curtains disposed
so AS to shield her from breath of air, sh,
turned to leave them. &c trust her in YOU
| ard fhatx Eaa har
"You will find me faithful to your charge,
said the young mau. "And now" turning
to the maiden, Z" how shall | amuse this con
valescent oneP What can do that will
make the hours pass pleasantly, and yet yor
not be wearied ?"
"Talk to me-" was the brief reply.
Many an hour had Edward beguiled o.
loneliness in the months just passed, by hi
rare conversational powers, and perchanc,
J that was the reason why Ella should now ii
that low, sweet voice say Talk to me.
! But it was strange, it was "passing strange,
I that then, Just when he wanted to convers,
more eagerly than ever in his life before, h,
could not speak word.
l. By-and-by the maiden looked up, as /
y amazed at the silence of her friend. Hi
lustrous eyes were bent upon her-and o, i
was strange that other than lovers eye
/ should beam with such tender glances Ant
strange it was, too, that one who had resolved
to be ever fancy free" should so blush anc
culver
:, az must keep my gentle charge quiet, o
Cousin Mary win complain" Whispered
y Edward, as he marked the trembling crea
ture, and strangely like love-tone sounde,
: his voice; and then he imprisoned the tin.
! white hand, and breathed a few words in tn
l, maiden's ear. Mesmeric words they doubt
n less were, and uttered only to soothe tn
fevered pulse. Etiectual were they if tina
were the case, for the hand soon lay quie
A within his own, and the thin, white finger
:, were passive, even though Edward slppe
IL upon one a costly ring, which he happened t
e have bought that very morn.
"If you were marrying man, and you
d marrying girl" whispered sweet Cousi
Is Mary, as she and Willie, after a very lon
le while, appeared at the beautiful nook, :"
should guess you were both deep in low,
Is and this the blessed morn of your betrotha