Connecticut western news., 1880-07-21
INsURMOUNTABLE OBJECTION.
At the Garden Gate.


 At the Garden Gate.
 Janet Dudley stood at the garden gate that lovely evening in early September, gazing up the road with anxious eyes. The faint light of the rising moon lay like blessing on her golden head, and the air, filled with the fragrance of new mown hay, caressingly touched her fair young face. Never prettier maid await ed lover, and yet John Hallam's step was slow and his face clouded as he emerged from the shadow of the trees and came toward her. Janet opened the gate and stepped out to meet him. "Well, John" she said, and her voice trembled ever so little
 The young man took her tiny hands in his, and looked down upon her-she was wee thing-with almost frown upon his brow. 'sUncle Roger is as ob- stinate as a mule," he said: !" I have just come from most wearisome inter- view with him. He insists that shall either take up my drudgery again at Mink $ Otter's, or some other equally agreeable establishment, and forfeit all claims upon him, or give him the promise he asks"
 "Well?" said Janet again, gazing steadily up in his face, and this time her voice did not tremble at all, but her lovers did, as with half averted eyes he made answer: 'sI should hate to go clerking 1t again after being my own master so long, and, to own the truth, patronizing my old chums somewhat whenever we met; and it seems too bad to let such fortune go to strangers, as Uncle Roger declares it shall if don t come to terms. But then the promise he exacts is so absurd"
 "..Absurd,' repeated Janet, slowly. s'Is 1t so absurd when you think of it calmly? Your uncle wants to make sure of pleasant companion for five years, and at the end of that time wishes to choose pleasant companion for that pleasant companion, thereby securing for himself two pleasant companions for the remainder of his life-which sounds like something out of one of Ollendorff $ books for beginners, or 8 riddle" she continued, with laugh that had no merriment it. And so he offers you great inducements to become that com panion. And, John, you have always been discontented because your station in life was not higher one, and more of the worlds gold had not fallen to your share. And now that wealth and posi- tion are offered you, it would be absurd indeed to refuse them for the sake of a poor country school-mistress.
 'Janet, you are cruel"
 Perhaps I Iam-in the way surgeons are cruel but I really think, John, the cure for your hurts is to accede to yom uncle's wishes.
 .sAnd part with you ?"
 "And part with me, as it is only too evident that that worthy gentleman con siders me totally unworthy the honor O ever becoming the pleasant companion of his pleasant companion"
 Theyoung man dropped her hands, ant caught her in his arms. sYou do no love me, after all" he said, reproach fully.
 's do love you" she replied, at tn, same time turning her face away from hi kisses, "and have loved you ever sine, we first met, but I have become con vinced that as poor man you would no be success John, and therefore say Obey your uncle, live the life for whicl you have longed, and get the fortune.
 By heavens will not give you up ' exclaimed Hallam, stung by her quie sarcasm. 'tBut, Jennie dear, listen t, reason. Promise to wait for me, to b true to me, and will agree to Uncl Rogers conditions. Who knows wha may happen five years? The old maj may die"
 The girl started back from his arm with glowing cheeks and flashing eyes Shame on you, Johnl" she said "What happiness could attend the unio of two people who waited for Death an Falsehood to bring them together You have said enough. Our bonds ar broken. You are free"
 A faint voice from the cottage called sJanet."
 I will never give you up, repeate the lover, yehemently, and snatehin Der again in his arms, he kissed he passionately and turned away. Jane looked after his retreating form for moment, then raised her clasped hand in mute appeal to Heaven, choked