Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-08-17

AT last with bright look, he said: If
this swell is half the man he ought to be to
deserve Miss Prepgill, he'll say, better late
than never to her love- 80, l say, let us post
this now"
"Tis no good" cried Suisse che is at
the Cape of Good Hope; heard the ladies
say So" An ...
it, but first put on the cover; to be for
warded.' You may depend on it that such
an important persons letters are not likely
| to miscarry."
Susie clapped both her plump hands, then
hugging Joe, with relief, said joyfully
"Of course, the very thing, you dear,
clever fellow, to think of it. Run and post it
at once before Miss Prengill asks for 1t,
or perhaps her pride will step in between
them now. ! don't care if she does say it's
| liberty, so long as see her happy, God
bless her."
OFF Joe ran, and returned quickly, tell
ing Susie the letter was beyond their con-
troll
She carried the news to poor sorrowful
| Maggie, who sat in her lonely, cheerless
room, crying like to break her heart. AT
first Maggie stormed at the girl for daring
| to take such matter into her own hands
then, seeing how meek Susie looked, she
relented of her anger and hoped all was for
| the best. Indeed, afterwards she could not
help feeling comforted by the thought that
| there was yet a chance of so bright future,
and she smiled her sweetest on Joe when
she met him a few days after
Life was becoming almost unbearable in
her present position her employers getting
more exacting and unreasonable every day,
and never ceasing to sneer at her as the
"blighted being"
Poor little Maggie Only those alone and
so utterly friendless can picture the hard
ness of her life.
But all was to be altered soon, for grave
faced man of middle age paused in his bril-
| liant career to regret his sweet lost love who
had, he thought, richly reproved his young
life with that of a world-worn, weary man.
He looked back on the brief happiness of
their dear friendship, and thought he had
been mad to risk the loss of it by seeking
| great joy.
Then came the long-delayed letter amid
batch Of official documents-a letter which
scattered his hard-earned peace to the winds.
As soon as he could get away from his du-
ties he sped back to England, and the first
night there he determined to hear his fate.
He felt that he could not trust to letter
again, so, looking very noble and dstin-
guished, he hurried off to that handsome
house in the suburbs which made his little
loves prison-house.
Arrived there, he cursed his luck at
finding the place one blaze OF light and mu-
sic--the people were giving ball. Sending
| in his card, he was received with great i'm
pressment by the hostess, who, glad of such
an addition to her guests, hurried him into
the ballroom, where he was bounced upon
by score of friends, and compelled, while
his heart hungered for the news of his
darling to lead the handsome hostess
through dance, during which, being dis
trait, he had the misfortune to trample upon
and tear her train; she then playfully Or
dered him to lead her to the cloak-room,
where an attendant waited who would re-
pair the damage.
Anxious to get away from the ballroom
he readily complied and led her into the
dimly-lighted cloak-room. just as they were
on the Threshold she said, gaily tapping
him with her fan:
You will meet an old friend. Now, for
PHYS sake, don't again turn her silly head
by renewal of last years Irritation. OF
course she was very properly repaid for her
presumption, as | have often told her, and
you did no more than any other man would
have done had a girl so thrown herself at
his head. Not word. Now all l say is,
keep her in her place.
Sir Jasper was silent, and the poor girl
behind the heavy curtains prayed for any
means to escape, for she thought that his
silence showed that her dream was ended
Another moment and her imperious employer
desired her to kneel down and remedy the
torn finery
Maggie felt that for lifes sake she could
not obey the order so proudly given before
the man she loved, so stood erect and silent
till the command was repeated more sharply.
Then stern voice answered for her saying
"Pardon me, madam, believe our long
friendship warrants the request that you will
relieve this lady from her duties here at
. once so that she may Immediately take up
her rightful position as my future wife"
The lady was too dumbfounded to speak
she could not but look her rage as she heard
one of the best parti of the season say hum
.. bly, to Maggie:
Il received your letter at last, my love.
do not know what caused the delay, but
you see came to answer it at once, eager
to claim my darling as my wife. Sweet,
will it not be "a happy escape from servi-
tude 2"