Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-10-15

Suddenly he rose up.
"Where is Sydneya" he abruptly |
asked.
81 left him a while ago, and he has
not gone home yet. / thought l would |
like to sit down few minutes with
you"
"I am glad to have you, daughter;
but it does seem to me that you treat
some of your callers with rudeness."
"Then, if l were they" said the proud
girl, touching the magnolia to her nose,
81 wouldn't make callers of myself"
81 should think not" commented the
colonel, witha little sniff at the curious
expression she flung # him. Il have
very high regard Tor Sydney, Geral-
dine"
"Have you?" she asked with indiffer-
enee, which, in reality, was assumed,
though her father did not perceive it.
"What is there about him for you to ad-
mire."
"Well, he is the only surviving son of
my intimate, deceased friend, Capt. Will
liams, of the army. The captain was
one of the bravest and noblest men who
ever trod this foot-stool, and Sydney's
looks and manner make me feel sure he
is simply another edition of his father.
He has fine education, is manly-look-
ing, and is going to make his mark in the
world. He has practiced law only two
years, and has reputation as high as any
who are double his years. l like Sydney
very much"
"More than any one who comes here?"
asked the daughter, holding the magno-
liza again to her nose, while she glanced
furtively at her unsuspicious father.
"Well, yes" he returned, 81 can say l
do. But why isn't he hereP" he added,
looking sharply around.
'He is waiting for me-"
Didn't / see him dressed up in some
outrageous suit, something of nature
to match this high-bred style of your
make up?" asked the father, with an
amused but puzzled expression.
eff you saw him at all during the last
hour, you did"
"What is the meaning of it?"
"He is to play the part of q gentleman
of the old school in a little comedy
which he has gotten up, and which is tc
be given at the private theatricals o.
Nine. Choteau's, next week, for the
benefit of the parish"
"And you and he have been rehears
ingP"
Something like that. He wanted m,
to criticise his suit and makeup, and tt
give him some points, while he vol
unteered to do all he could for me il
the same direction. Our two character
are the most important ones in the piece
and Sydney is anxious that we shal
fully sustain them. We rehearsed alone
But, father, such an extraordinary thin!
took place while we were doing so, tina
, made up my mind to come and tel
YOU"
: You don't seem to have been in
hurry" said he, looking wonderingly q
her, "for you have been here hal
I hour"
The lovely daughter hesitated a me
+ ment before replying. A very singula
thing for her to do.
"He wished me to leave him for shol
time"
"Ah, that's it! Very well. I'm sati
r fled to have you here as long as you wi
O stay"
s And the colonel looked with pride u
e on his beautiful daughter, who recallt
II so vividly the mother when she was
II bride more than score of yea
IS before.
n 1t was just like the proud, young W
u man, who, without any appearance
excitement or agitation of manner, can
IS to the momentous subject which W
4, really the cause of her being there.
s. "You say, father, that you admire
Y rather respect Sydney very muchg"
le THAT is substantially what | said" "
Gas much as any young gentleman
es your acquaintance"
er REALLY more"
al "How would you like him for so
7e in-law?"
Il The colonel turned, as if struck by
is pistol shot, and looked keenly at |
daughter, without speak,. = fJr fl
IL minute. Geraldine herself seemed to
IL picking the sprig of magnolia, VIII
u she looked unconsciously down at
70 but, for all her forced composure,
VI crimson blood crept up under the ii
i0 skin of her countenance, and strive
10 much as she might, she could not hi
~ The fact from her father that her he
was throbbing more tumultuously th
~ ever before.
IN Suddenly he exclaimed
- "Whatm
ho 81 think you heard me, father" ST
~ Geraldine, in low voice, withC
10 trusting herself as yet to look up.
~ "Are you in earnest, my daughter
no This was uttered in the same low,
firm voice.
,ot "Come here, my child"
,ro The colonel kept his seat, while G
,sv aldine, standing beside him, looked do
o;r in his face. He took her hand Affect
,bo ately, while he asked:
no. "Has he proposed to youP"
ho,, "He has"