Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-02-10


to dinner late, and Mrs. Lawrence, with
her usual consideration for his comfort,
had gone out to wait on him, and i'm
part the news at the same time. She
entered into all the details, and ended
the interesting recital with a very be-
coming show of emotion by shedding a
few tears in anticipation of the lonely
times they would have when their dear
girls were all married and gone.
"All |"
He started, and his voice sounded
harsh.
HAS Cora accepted Thorndyke p
"Mr. Neil, Cora is source of great
anxiety to me- She is so unlike her
amiable sisters. She treated that young
man so atrociously, that he left for the
city at once, and she talked most disre-
spectfully to me, vowing if ever said
marry to her again she would shock the
whole family by advertising for a situa-
tion as governess, and leave home for
ever. Neil, | wish you would use your
influence to make her better girl
There was an odd bit of smile in
his eyes-a smile that had plan in it !;
and he amazed and delighted his STEP
mother by readily consenting to do his
best.
A short time after, Mrs. Lawrence
went down to the hotel to call on all
the older members Of the party, who had
not come to the farmhouse, and Neil
joined the young yeople on the moonlit
piazza.
The two newly ahianced couples were
strolling IN the garden.
Cora was talking, in her merry, reck-
less way, to two gentlemen, quite en-
chanting them by her originality and
freshness, whilst the two young ladies,
whose escorts they were, stood hopeless
ly in the background.
Neil was we'll acquainted with them
all and in few minutes Cora was act
ually mute with amazement to see him
positively exerting himself to entertain
"those stupid Merton girls" She had
been accustomed to his sole attention.
Now he he did not seem to see her ;
and with sense of pique utterly new to
her, she lent herself 20 the tiresome
platitudes of the two fops.
Il -
That evening was sample of every
day and every evening for the next
month. Cora, by that time, had fully
suon~odoa in hewitching Messrs Holmes
and Norton, whilst the Merton girls felt
convinced that either one or the other
of them would crown the season by the
victory of gaining this hitherto unattain-
able prize-Neil Lawrence.
The days were devoted to fishing,
boating and picnics and the evenings
to moonlight rides and dances at the
hotel.
In that month Neil and Cora had
scarcely exchanged a civil word. A
morbid restlessness had taken possession
of the usually happy girl. She seemed
to herself sometimes to be made of eyes
for Neil could not make move that she
did not see it, no matter how much at
tention she was giving to others.
She said to herself dozen times a
day, "He is never any other than cross
to me now. l hate him ~ and as many
times. seeming to feel that kiss on hel
hand, blushed crimson.
At length day came when Mr.
Holmes, without word of explanation
bade his party an unceremonious good.
by, and started for the city. Every one
knew aohy, intuitively.
He was considered very eligible, and
Mrs. Lawrence was greatly excited
though she did not dare speak of it tt
her fractions niece so begged Neil tt
investigate the matter for her. He ac-
quiesced instantly, with that odd smile
again.
He found Cora on the piazza alone
and, taking chair beside her. rested
his elbow on his knee and his chi1
on his hand, so as quite to face her.
$50 you have refused poor Holmes"
1t was coolly asserted, and she dit
not deny it.
Yet, so far as your knowledge ex
tends, he was no fair ones cast-off," h,
kept on, tormentingly.
"What is it to you whom l reject 2
she retorted angrily, though there wa
just slight mistiness in her brillian
eyes.
He smiled. but she, looking steadil,
beyond him, did not see it.
"Are you actually going to be an oil
maid % he asked, quizzlcally.
She glanced at him, blushed, bit he
lips, and said defantly:
perhaps l may have another chance
Mr.. Norton has not gone yet. There b
coming down the road this instant"
And she was about to arise, when b
laid his hand detainingly on one of her
in her lap. 1t was the hand he ha
, kissed. She climsoned.