Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-03-08

freshments. you will do US a great SER
vice. We are nearly famished."
"My father will be glad to receive
you," she replied, demurely, her eyes
falling before his. 81 will show you
the way. You had better come now,
for your friend there looks SICK"
She was addressing me, now, but
looking directly at Hal. Hal. poor
fellow, was by this time so weak, that
when we started to go, he had to lean
on me for support.
Our fair conductor went tripping on
before us, occasionally waiting for us to
come up, and every now and then cast
ing anxious looks at Halls pale face.
We soon reached the farm house, which
was neat and commodious, situated on a
gentle slope, with grand old shade trees
all about it. No palace could have Civ
en- us more hospitable welcome.
Before night Hal was in high fever.
A physician was called, who looked
grave, and said that the case was a
doubtful one; though youth and good
nursing might bring the patient round.
For week Hal was delirious. 1
watched by his bedside night and day.
Jennie, our little sleeping beauty" as
| called her, came and went, admins
tering to the needs of the slck-room, in
a thoroughly womanly way, that one
would hardly have looked for in one SO
young At last Halls youth brought
him round. To me it was a great re-
lief. | wrote to his father that he had
been sick, but was better, and that we
should probably soon come home.
But Hal was in no hurry to return.
What his reason could be for wishing to
stay in that out-of-the-way place, puz-
zled me sorely, for awhile. But one day
it flashed upon me, all at once, that Hal
was in danger of falling in love with
Jennie. Ever since his recovery he had
been in her society great deal /; and 1
noticed that she seemed shy and reserv-
ed whenever I met them together. |
had seen many other little things, too.
that were quite suggestive, when l came
to think them over. "This," l said to
myself, ''must 60 no further. Jennie is
charming enough in her way, but if Hal
marries it must be with some one of his
own class. He. the heir of one of the
first families in New York, to wed a
mere forest nymph? Impossible What
would his father think of me ?''
That very afternoon l said to Hal,
81 shall get off to New York tomorrow
morning. Can you be ready?"
He started suddenly. and gave me a
penetrating look, as if to read my
thoughts. Then he flushed scarlet, and
said:
"Of course, l will be ready"
That was all. But 1 felt relieved.
"Once get him away" + reflected, "and
he will soon forget all about it,
That night, after tea, Jennie went out
to pick some berries. Soon after | miss
ed Hal. l guessed where he was, and
felt vexed. 1t was nearly dark when
they returned, their hands full of bright
maple leaves. When they saw me,
Jennie slipped quietly away into the
house. and Hal come directly towards
me. His face was flushed, and he seem.
agitated, and in attempting to talk he
made some strange blunders.
The next morning we were off on the
early stage. We stopped day at Ole
Orchard, to rest and pack our trunks
and then went directly home. where W,
were gladly welcomed by our friends
AS We alighted from the hack, at ny
hotel, Hal took out his diary to pay th'
! driver; and as he held it up in the gas
light, | caught glimpse of the pag
: bearing the date of the day of our de
parture from the farmhouse; and on i
| were written two names, with scarle
, maple leaf fastened below them.
i Soon after our return, business calle,
me to California, where I remained fo
year.
: During this time l heard nothing fror
Hal. The little incidents of our tour il
| Maine, meantime, had been forgotten
2 But when | returned to New York,
: called on Hal at once.
e Delighted to see you back again,
e said Halls father, into whose presence
. was ushered.
| "And how is Hal ?'' | said.
"Hal? I have not seen him for a
e age"
f "Have not seen him ? Where is he ?
T .'He is in the city. l suppose yo
s know Hal is married ?''
n 81 did not" | said, still more surpri
: ed.
J, Eyes, he married a penniless gi
o somewhere in the woods of Main
Threw himself hopelessly away. | VIZ
}, so displeased that told him he mu
/, look out for himself and the boy W;
e spited enough to do so. He and | hay
Is not met for six months. He is doir
business in small way for himself. an,
le [ understand sIlccessfnIlvn .-.-