Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-08-11
From IAN the Year Round
MY One CLEAN Of Romance.

ichNeeh hthi ih my heAie VI ioNet -Sdtcteds
From " All the Year Round"
MY One CLEAN Of Romance.
tcoSoLuDED.l
The shadows were falling faster and longer
as |, once more summoning all my energies,
resumed the walk. II was quite clear to me
that should not get TO bennington till mid
night and what in the world would they
think of me 2 Aud | am not partial TO
walking in the dark in a perfectly strange
country but though lost my spirits, my
courage kept up wonderfully. / kept on
bravely for another three-quarters of hour,
but instead of perservering in the walk |
had to sit down and rest myself, which all
good walkers know TO be very bad sign.
Presently once more heard the sound OF
wheels, and looking back saw that there
was young gentleman in dog-cart. lie
stopped his horse at the bottom of the hill
and perceived that he was lighting his
side-lamps. That alone would be enough To
remind me that the evening was fading into
night. He came slowly up hill, but easily
overlook me, and might have passed me un.
regardingly, only, happily, his eye fell upon
me as was nervously trying to crouch out
of view.
"Ah," he said, "my poor girl, you seem
tired. Have you far to go 7"
thought il best to put good front on
matters. My pride revoted at being called
a poor girl, although such word exactly
described me as then was.
AS came into view by the light of the
carriage lamps he most respectfully took of
his hat and said :" venture to ask ma am
if can be of any use. 1t will soon be'guite
dark, and there is no moon tonight"
81 have missed carriage that was to
have met me-" said, "and am walking on. ;
"This is the road to Manningham, where
am driving. You are going there, too,
presume. think you had better allow me
to drive you into that town."
There was something very courteous and
pleasant in his voice. There was sufiicien,
light to discover bright-eyed and hand
some, kindly face, with thick curly hair
My instinct told me that | need not bt
afraid to be driven by him. At the SAINT
time had horror of being driven by sol
itary gentleman, especially after what had
happened such short time before, and an
swered, not, perhaps, in 50 firm tone as be
fore.
"No, thank you. shall manage to wall
on"
He moved his hat and with sinking
heart saw him proceed on his way. II
came into my mind that would call afte
him and accept his proposition. Pride
however, came to my help, and refrainet
from doing so. Fortunately, however, h,
stopped his horse, and waited till should
come up.
al hope, ma'am," he said, "that you will
accept my offer. 1t is really not fit that &
lady like yourself should be out after dark
in country you don't know, and evidently
very tired"
stammered out some kind of refusal.
"But you must come" he said, with al
air of authority. "My horse will not wal
any longer, and it is impossible to leave yol
here. No one could answer for the conse
quences. Please jump in at once"
He was positively ordering me to get in
and had not sufficient strength of mind o.
body to resist his orders. If he had tried t.
beg and entreat and coax me TO get in,
know | should have walked till dropped
but, being peremptorily told to get in, my
girish instinct of obedience came to my
help, and | was lifted in by strong arm be
fore quite knew what was being done witt
me-
was so thankful when was being com
fortably driven along, the swift motion ant
the brisk air bringing back my high spirits
as they always do. told my deliverer wha
was my destination. He knew bennington
and he also knew Mr.. Wilmslow very well
but he did not think that should be abb,
10 get there that night. He questioned
| whether at that time OF night could get ,
vehicle to take me on. Perhaps it nigh
not be right to travel up to the Wilmslow',
at the late hour when should arrive. Tn
fortunately, he himself had to go five mile,
in another direction. He was already pas
his time and his horse was nearly tired out
Perhaps, too, we both doubted how far il
would be in exactly good taste for young
gentleman TO drive up young lady at mid
night to sedate household where she wa:
To be an exemplary governess.
But we had a very pleasant talk. He told
me all about the gentleman to whose house
| was going, country squire and at the
same time a practical farmer, cultivating q
thousand acres of his own. He thought
should like the place and the people, and he
certainly amused me very much by the way
in which he described my future surround
ings. But all the time it was easy for me
TO see that his mind was not quite at rest
that he was not quite certain what was best
TO be done, and rather anxious as to the up
shot of the adventure.
At last the town of Manningham came il
sight pleasant streets, and broad market
place full Of twinkling lights. We drove
up to the principal inn, and entered beneath
an archway. Here he asked me 10 hold the
reins for moment while he went in to talk
TO his friend the landlady, of whom he had
spoken in kindly and confident terms as we
came along Now, it so happened that there
was little window underneath the arch
opening into the landlady's private room
from which she could look out into the yard
and issue her directions. A little conversa
tion was going on in this room which turned
out to be of very unpleasant character, AT
first there was an indistinguishable murmur
of voices, and presently the accents made
themselves clear.
"No, indeed, Mr.. William, you must 20
somewhere else. | cannot find accommoda-
tions for this person."
Mr.. William appeared to be speaking in a
demonstrating tone, but | could not make
out what he said. But the landlady's next
words, sharp and clear, brought the hot blood
TO my face.
"rhose who really are ladies' don't go
tramping about the country till nearly ten
U clOch, anu tutn take 5ehtS III young Rentle-
mems gigs. We never take in tramps at the
Royal George"
But, Mrs. Brown, what is this young
lady to do You say that all your flies are
out, aud she is quite unable to walk to the
Wilmslows of bennington"
"The Wilmslows of bennington don't
expect the likes of her, Mr.. William. Those
sort of people who run about the country
always get hold of good name or two"
But this is dreadful" said poor William
"What am to do with this lady 7"
"You should have thought of that, sir,
before you took her into your fathers car.
riage There'll be fine talk all over the
country about this bit of work. | know you
mean no harm, but you always were wild
and wilful, Mr., William, and its my belief
that II you put pair of tongs into petit
coats you would want to drive them fire-irons
all about the country"
"You are talking utter nonsense, Mrs.
Brown; you are quite insulting"
81 know what | am about, Mr.. Curtis,
which is more than you do, when you let
yourself be taken in this way. You will
4. 4 II.