The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-08-20
A WOMAN. AFTER ALL.

"Take of that hdeous bonnet. Doro-
thy. | want to see your sweet little
face without it,"
Thou shoudst not speak so Charles.
1t is very wrong"
"Why, little DorothyP Tell me
why"
"Thou knowest favor is deceitful and
beauty vain. We ought TO bear testi-
mony against the vanity of personal
looks"
"Ought weP Then tell me why it
pleased Providence TO make you SO
beautiful, my small cousin"
Hush, Charles, ] will not permit
thee to speak TO me in this manuer."
And little Dorothy Hicks, the Quaker
ess, put on the gravest air and strug-
gled valiantly to turn the corners of her
mouth down when they wanted to turn
up.
Don't look so serious, little girl.
You positively alarm me-" And Charles
Maynard burst into q hearty laugh that
echoed though the oplar trees in the
old garden. Now tell me- Dorothy
insist upon knowing, as a member of
your family. / consider that | have the
right to be informed-are you going to
marry Broad dbrimP'
Friend Ephraim is an estimable
man, Charles; thou must not speak OF
him thus"
Look Dorothy. There he is. Twill
quote no proverbs, but the rim of his
hat just turned the corner as | spoke.
Now don't look rs if you intended TO go
back to the house, for you are not going.
I'll tell you secret. When was down
to the river this morning found boat
with tempting pair of oars lying in it.,
and made up my mind that Dorothy
Hicks and her wicked, worldly cousin
from the populous city of New York,
were going for a row in that very boat
this evening. 1t is neighbor Han
cocks boat"
Yes. But, Charles. fear it is my
duty"
mo, it isn't. You know you don't
want to spend this lovely evening in the
house entertaining Broadbrim, and you
want to go with me and watch the sun
set on the river"
Dorothy looks doubtfully toward the
house and wistfully toward the river.
Femme qui hcsite est perdue," Doro-
thy, which means "if we don't hurry,
Graycoat will come out and catch us. :"
Charles takes Dorothy's hand in his, and
in moment they are on their way to
the shore.
"But, Charles, see that cloud in the
south. If there were to be stormP"
But there will not; come, jump in" )"
The oars were lifted into the row-locks,
Dorothy takes the management of the
rudder in her hands, and soon they are
gliding over the smooth surface of the
water, leaving track of silvery bub-
bIes behind them. 1t is lovely even
ing. The misty shadows of twilight are
gathering in the east and the west the
clouds, blood-red and purple, are cast
ing a rosy light all over the broad river
fresh breeze is blowing round their
faces, and waves splash against the
sides of their boat, like low, monotonous
music. Charles is talking about his
home, telling Dorothy about his aunts
and cousins he has not seen for a long
time, and amusing her with stories OF
his college days, and his efforts to make
his way in his profession, which were
so unsuccessful at first. Neither of
them notices that the breeze grows
fresher, and that the dark cloud in the
south has spread over the horizon, and
is covering it with darkness.
Presently a low, muttering growl OF
thunder startles them from the dream
into which they had fallen.
Turn back, Charles, turn back"
screamed Dorothy" the storm is upon
usm They had been rowing with the
tide. The river is very wide, and the
increasing force Of the waves and the
wind together is so strong that when
rushes into the tiny boat. Both faces
grow pale in the murky light as they
see the danger.
g 1t is impossible; you can't do i'll"
"Tell me, Dorothy, what is that dark
object Just aheadp"
g 1t is ledge of rocks. but when the
tide comes in from the sea it will be
covered" and with low moan Dorothy
sank from her seat and covered her face
with her hancs.
1--WE will try and land there. The
tide will not turn for an hour.'
The effort was successful. The ledge
is reached, and Charles carries Dorothy
to the very highest rock and lays her
gently down" -fV aff
MY love, my little love-" he cried
kissing her helpless hands, 81 have killed
your"
"Stopw she exclaimed. Listen.
There is a boat 1t is coming this way"
Dorothy is upon her knees, and n wild
cry OF Thanksgiving comes from her
lips.
Ephriam Ford had followed them.
The heavy boat with its single occu-
pant is strong enough TO resist the
waves, and as he nears them, they 70
down to meet him.
Back!" he cries, Z" will not take
but one of you; it is not safe"
The grim Quaker, with his stern
emotionless face, wrenches away The
slender hands that cling to Charles, and
4 clasping Dorothy tightly in his arms
lays her at his own feet in the bottom o
the hoat. Not word is spoken unit
they reach the opposite shore. Then he
takes her up again and carries her TO the
nearest fishers hut up the beach.
AS they stand within the shelter of the
little cabin, Dorothy looks at him with
wild eyes, and a cry OF torture issues
from her white lips.
,,", "Go @. back, ,l;,ls go backl You will g
go back for your elegant city lover
whose ignorant carelessness would hav
cost you your life but for met"
Dorothy falls on her knees an,
grasps his cold hands in agony of en-
treaty.
go back, go back"
Promise me first that you will no
marry him. Swear it ms the world
people do"
He takes her hand and holds IL up +
heaven, and waits for the oath.
Dorothy's lips move, but no soun,
| come from them norot hv had fain ted