The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-01-09


will not be on exhibition tomorrow
when Harold Weston comes to dine.
teiiyou, neither you nor 1 would con-
trast favorably with her. I never saw
such perfect face; and those eyesl :"
I" That girl puts on airs enough to
make one sick of her." was Isabel's
amiable reply. One would think
her born duchess, to see her manners
at tinesl ] do wish that mamma
would send her awayl"
The door-bell put a stop to further
discussion of poor Margaret, and Mr..
Weston was presently announced,
1t was late that night ere the party
goers returned, and Margaret was
dreaming of her mother, and the old
days of happiness before she learned
that man may seem to be all that is
noble, and yet be q villain.
She was dreaming about Howard
Winthrop, and that his arms were
about her, when the sound of voices in
the lower hall aroused her. She heard
Mr.. Weston's Goodnight " as Isa-
bel and her friend parted from him at
the door; and something, IN his voice
mingled with the dream she had awak-
ened from, and thrilled her long after
the wheels of the carriage had died
away.
"I hope Miss Berkley's experience
with love and trust may differ from
mine, heaven knowsl" she thought,
and urned to her slumber again.
But this time she dreamed only of the
cruel letter, and when morning dawned
she awoke with tears In her eyes.
The grand Christmas dinner was
over at last. Isabel had eDj,y it be-
cause Margaret, shy of meeting so many
strangers, had declined to dine down
stairs, and she, with Harry and Elsie,
had eaten their own good dinner in the
nursery; all the pleasanter because mi
nus the wearisome etiquette of tho
large table. Harold Weston had en-
joyed 1t, because the two young ladies
made the fuss over him which is per-
fecily natural any man should like.
But truth 10 tell, his heart was in no
danger, neither of the ladies, notw ith-
standing Miss Berkley's confidential
confession to Isabel, reaching his stand
ard as to true womanhood, and because
long ago he had decided all women un-
worthy mans trust and love. But he
talked aud laughed and played the
agreeable, and at the proper time the
ladies retired, leaving the gentlemen to
their cigars.
And presently little Harry ran from
the conservatory with beautiful white
rose in his hand.
alt is for Miss Arnold" he explained,
when Harold playfully caught the little
hup p6 and aeEa1 fnr tho roco
"And who is Miss Arnold?" asked
Harold, more seriously.
"Ob, she's beautiful lady who
teaches us lessons, and is awfully
sweetl"
"Only the childrcn's governess," )"
explained Mr.. Granger, aud the con-
versation turned on other subjects.
But little later, as Margaret, who
had gone down to the dining-room for
something, paused a moment before
the fire and listened to the sound OF
music from the parlors, Harold Weston
entered, and without seeing Margaret.
advanced TO the seat he had occupied
at dinner, and looked for something be.
meath the table.
"Are you in search of something
sir?" asked Margaret, who had nd
seen the geptleman's face.
At the sound of her voice, he started
and turned around.
~ dropped small seal from my
chain at dinner time, l think, and have
just missed it. l didn't wish to disturb
the family, thinking l could easily fine
There"
Then, as Margaret raised the light
he stood transfixed, and she with sud
den weakness, sat down in the nearest
chair.
Pardon me, did not know yol
were"
"Oh, Margaret, is it really Won whom
see at lastI" Harold Interrupted.
81 do not understand" she replied
confusedly, passing her hand across he
eyes, and then looking up at him tim
idly. " Are you not Mr.. Weston?
!. thought at first, so wonderful is tn
resemblance, that you were an-an-
old friend of mine, whom I had no
seen for-for-many months and years. =.
For three years, Margaret Arnold,
he replied. alt is three years sine
you -since-oh, Margaret since yo,
sent me cruel and unjust note, an
now l find you here Ia dependent in
strangers housed"
t "Sir, what is your name7 May
, ask If this or the one by whichu used
| know You, is the fictitious one, and I
r it your habit to change your name whe
making new acquaintauces?"
o. Her calmness had quite returned
J her cold hauteur cut him deeply, an
| his pride helped him to speak steadil,
: "This is no time or place to explai
r matters. will only say that you hav
< done me gEievous wrong all these year
: and that never wrote the note you r,
:, turned to me. Moreover, the name
: now bear is settled upon me by my III
e cle's will, and with its adoption l wi
8 made his heir. That is all, Miss Al
nold. l will not detain you longer
= The seal am In search of can be foun
a tomorrow. l value it highly, an
. would not lose il. If possible, l sha
j. keep it by me my lite through. If yo
q will honor me with an interview /,
morrow, will be grateful, and hoI
to appear little less sinful in your oyt
= ere long"
l scarcely think an interv lew nece
o sary, SIR" answered Margaret. "Ou
]. paths lie far apart now, and can sir
: cerely wish you happy future, eitht
r married or unmarried"
IS She held out her hand as she spoil
u with sad smile; and his own shoe
|. visibly as he took, after long year
once more the little palm within b
H strong clasp.
u al shall never marry, Miss Arnol
/. A man can love as have loved b
= once in his lifetime. God bless yol
s Good-by."
It Then he went out of the room, an
% pleading some excuse, left the house
n an early hour.
n And yet, before the door had bee
d five minutes closed upon him, Margar,
found the missing seal, and wept thel
/ on her knees as she recognized a lit
It gift she herself had long ago given hi
d and forgotten. He had carefully pr
,, served II in q rich setting after the for