The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-06-18

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The sunlight was streaming full on
her face aud the gold of her hair, as
she spoke, but to the the boy, listening
q dark mist seemed to roll between
them. She was going away for years
she who had saved him from death,
or worse than death.
The next minute she felt just little
hurt, as, without a single word of
thanks, he abruptly took the key and
fastened from her presence.
She could not know that he went out
to throw himclf, face downward, on
the ground, and sob out ike very
child in his hearts bitterness.
Seven long years passed swiftly by,
and Alex Vernon had reached his
twanty-fifth winter. Helen Hawth-
orne's laat words had been to him a
prophecy, for she was now on her
homewsrd way, and he had attained
the position of head overseer of the
works.
"My little girl made the best sclcc-
ton, after ALL" Mr.. Hawthorne would
often say, on receiving congratulations
on the efficiency of his young aid.
Occasionally he would read him a
scrap or kind message from his daugh-
ter's letters, but Alex received them all
in silence. lie had lost the little
golden-haired child forever. She
would return woman, grown cold,
naughty and proud, perhaps, refusing
to cast even smile across the vast
social gulf yawning between them.
One morning-he had been absent
few days on business-he returned to
find difficult piece of machinery about
to be adjusted in one of the mills which
required his sup erintendonce. Direct
ing the men, he saw that not only his
hand could do better work than the
others, and so, seizing workmans
blouse hanging near, he slipped it on,
and in another moment had shoulder TO
the wheel.
A half-hour later, sOiled and begrim-
ed, he hcared the rustic of a silken
dress, and the silveIy ripple of a
woman's laugh.
lie glanced up quickly. A gay party
were passing through the works, with
one among them seeming princess
surrounded by her followers. The
gold still flccked her hair, aud the
dark lashes swept the check of purest
ivory. Time had but made her more
beautiful.
She glanced idly, indifIerently,
among the little group of men, of which |
he formed one.
81 see no ono here recognize" she |
said, in the old, sweet, soft voice, and
passed on.
She had come home. then, during his
absence. lie had seen her. The seven
years. waiting were over. What had
they brought?
The machinery slipped into its place,
but Alex Vernon, with a strange pallor
on his face, went out silently from the
mills. Not, as once before, to find re-
lief in tears. lie was man now. lie
only knew that something was burst
ing within lima bitter disappoint-
men I, to which he could give no name,
but which he could only bring out into
the air and sunshine, lest it stifle him.
Far out into the open country he
walked with great strides, knowing
neither fatigue nor consciousness that
it was unnatural that he should not
tire.
Suddenly, on the road behind him
came horses quick hoofs. He step
ped aside for it to pass, but the rider
drew rein at bis side.
at is Alex" said sweet voice, close
in his ear; 81 know that am not mis-
taken"
And, as in dream, he saw held out
to him tiny gauntleted hand. lie
looked at his own. Not even had he
washed away the traces of bis recent
toll. lie would soil by his touch even
her glove, although the fair whitencss
of her skin was thereby protected.
She saw the hesitation, and drew
back.
Gam / wrong?" she questioned, In
little surprise. 81 thought you would
be glad to see me-"
"Pardon mel" he answered; "my
hands are stained"
"Oh" she said. Then, after a mo-
ments pause she added: "When you
have washed them clean, come TO see
me-"
And, cutting her horse with her sill
ver-handled whip, she dashed past him
out of sight.
The next week he was invited 10 dine
at her fathers table. Mr.. Hawthorne
would accept no excuse.
'Tt is in our country an. honor to be
a self-made man. l have no guests of
whom shall be more proud"
But when he entered the elegantly
appointed drawing-rooms, Miss Haw-
thorne gave him simply courteous
bow of recognition, and mado no effort
TO approach him.
Once or twice during the meal, he
found her eyes fastened on his face, as
he was drawn out to speak on this or
that topic, as il was presented, while
one and another mingled in the discus
sion, dcferring to his opinions as to
those of man who understood him
self.
The ice once broken, he met her Of
ten, but never once had their hands
touched. lie was admitted even into
her circle now. lie went only that he
might see her, listen to her voice.
III WIN har ha .aax,n.. f...1-el