Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-10-04
FGtescue and Elmer Royston and the


present time.
It is an unpretending little cottage
that stands somewhat back from the
public street, its porch surrounded by
clInging honeysuckle vines, whose bios
sons shed a delicate aroma upon the
evening air. reminding Elmer Royston,
as he stood leaning against one of the
pillars of the porch. of that never-to-be-
fogotten evening long ago, when it
seemed to him that all the light and joy
ofhis life had been extinguished. And
as he slowly reviewed the past and
thought how little there was in life
wsrth living for, it seemed to him that
ths fates had been doubly severe in thus
checkering his life with such sorrows
ann then lengthening it out when it
seemed that that sorrow was unbearable.
Was not an early death, he thought,
preferable, to remaining long in a career
mingled with sorrow and regret and
growing old in disappointment and care?
Wild, wicked thoughts rose in his mind
thoughts to which he would never
give tongue-and his face became hard
and stern in the gathering shades of the
sumner twilight, as he mutters
Yes, men have done it often before;
why should | not? If it were not for
what the world would say, would not
hesitate; but | know only too we'll
whst the popular verdict is in such
caes-I have heard it too often
what is it you have heard too often
Elmer ?" asked a low voice just behind
hin, the tones of which were as soft and
sweet as those of an Eolian harp
He started and turued hastily toward
the fair girl who had just stepped from
the cottage door out upon the porch.
"Oh, it is you, ma belle Nina had
fallen into train of thought, alone here
in this romantic twilight, and | suppose
| must have unconsciously been con-
versing with myself. Deuced poor COM
pany, though, l assure you. And be-
sides, you have doubtless heard the old
proverb which says, He who talks with
himself talks with the devil If such
be the case, his Satanic Majesty and
myself were in close communication a
moment ago."
"And what may have been the sub.
ject of your meditations ? Building airy
castles, suppose"
"Pardon me, but you are wrong. My
castles were all completed and domolish-
ed long ago. was thinking of the
conataS ranttatem of the world in gen
eral-my life in particular.
"And | suppose you prefer your owr
: cynical thoughts to my company. Il
So"
"And if so you will vanish like 6
beautiful dream l suppose" he sale
with that old air of gallantry which wa:
characteristic of him in years gene by
"Yes, of course; I'll not stay where
my company is neither wanted nor ap
preciated," she replied, with a pretty
little pout.
"But | do appreciate and want youl
company, Mina-particularly at th'
l present time; for am suffering from
one of those depressionss of spirits com
monty known as the blues. and know
of nothing that will so soon dispel my
: present attack as an hour of your com
pany. The fact is, Nina, if there il
any good in me it always seems neare
: the surface when am with you. Wick
( ed though | am. with nearly every sill
in the calendar on my soul, alway
seem better from having been with you
e All, Nina, if all women were as true t,
G their better natures as you are, ther
u would be fewer men with lives wrecked
T. by woman's inconsistency He will in
I deed be happy man who can some da,
$ win your heart.
o The gathering shades of night wer
G too deep for him to note the glad fusl
that spread over her face at his words o
/ praise. and she only said in reply
1t 81 am glad you think we'll of me El
mer But pardon me if you think m
n bold or presuming. Why is it that 20
n with your advantages and talents, liv
v the life you do? =? And why is it that i
10 your conversation you always speak 9
n women with bitterness and distrust? ]
er there not woman in all the wide worl
&c to make you happy, some one for who's
y sake you would give up your evil ways
IN turn from the paths of sin and lead
Sc purer life Z? Is there not one, Elmer %
s. He was too deeply absorbed with h
I'D own bitter thoughts to notice with VIII;
iy eagerness she asked the question.
5; was several moments before he spok
ne and when he did the words came slowl
ne and mechanically, as though they WEI
forced from him against his will.
"Min1, years ago loved-loved, di
| say ?-I worshipped woman fair ;
poets dream, and believed her
truthful. In word and deed, as the whit