Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-07-04

Wneu my reputation Is clear, anu
have accumulated enough to meet the
requirements of Mr.. Melton, will re-
turn and claim the dear, faithful girl
whose love is proof against all suspicion.
Another misfortune, however, await
ed the young man when reaching his
destination. Frank Alden had fallen a
victim to fever that was raging in the
colony, and had died two days before,
directing that everything he had left
should be delivered to his cousin as
soon as he arrived.
Then, at this fatal termination of the
hope that had buoyed him up on the
voyage over. Roger Woodworth would
have welcomed death had it not been
for the remembrance of the trust and
confidence of those dear ones at home.
The closing words of that precious note
revived his almost sinking hopes. and
drawing it from its concealment, he read
and them again and again.
81 believe and trust that this strange
mystery will be solved"
Here, then, lay his present duty, and
he would prove himself worthy of Ssh
dies belief and trust by performing it
faithfully. He sent brief letter to his
mother, and then went to work to earn
fitting dowry for the girl he still hop
ed to make his wife.
Meanwhile, in the home Roger had
left, things went on much as usual.
The mortgage had been paid, but Mr..
Melton had taken no steps towards the
proposed repairs-he must vast he said,
to recover little from the loss of that
five thousand dollars, before making
any further outlay; and Sadie felt
very little interest in the matter. On
the day after Roger left, Mrs. Wood
worth had met the young girl, and
handed her bit of paper on which
were simply traced these words. "God
bless you !" and Sadie had enclosed il
in locket which she wore round her
neck.
So passed two years. bringing some
new residents to the town, and among
them a physician. already possessed Of
good fortune. and who readily secur'
ed large practice. He secured some
thing else, almost immediately-the ia
vor of MIR. Melton, who observed with
qualification the deep interest with which
DR.. Stanton regarded Sadie from the
first moment of his introduction to her
81 shall begin my long projected re
pairs on this house next week." Mr.
Melton said to his daughter, one even
ing. "You will be of age in three
months, and | want it to be ready fo
your birthday present. | will have i
thoroughly renovated and furnished
from top to bottom, SO that you ma.
have home to be proud of.
"Refurnished, father !" repeated Sal
die; "that seems hardly necessary, con
sidering the quiet way we are living
l would be better pleased to have it re
main unaltered in that respect"
Perhaps SO. under, ordinary circum
stances said Mr.. Melton, fgetinI
somewhat uneasily in his chair. "Bu
1 have received an offer for your hand
and one which you will, hope. be dis
posed to consider favorably."
From whom, father ?" Sadie aske,
very quietly, although her cheek grey
paler than usual.
"From the very one l would have sc
ltCtcu VuG VI d uuuuISu-DE. OIdutOL
What do you think of that. Sadie ?"
81 think DR.. Stanton an excelleu
and worthy gentleman" said Sadie
steadily. "But l cannot marry hin
father-indeed [ cannot"
"That is all right" said Mr.. Melton
evidently not disposed to make tn
matter the subject of any argument, bu
to act upon the principle of treating
as foregone conclusion. ga youn
lady is not expected to jump at an o.
fer however desirable or gratifying.
little maidenly reserve and even coo
ness, is all the more certain to insur
and retain the respect of a suitor.
shall make this an attractive place. Sa
die, and on your twenty-frst birthda
deed it to you. l have labored for yol
benefit and welfare through all the,
years, and shall, hope, find that m
kindness has not been thrown away,
unworthily bestowed" and rising fro
| his chair, Mr.. Melton kissed his daugl
ter lightly on the forehead and then lie
the room, while Sadie buried her face
her hands to hide the tears that We
trickling through her fingers.
And while she sat there fearful ar
respondent, a ship was speeding ov
the ocean, bringing Roger Woodwor
to the deathbed of his mother. H
last letter had reached him at the tin
when the tide of good fortune, start,
with his cousins capital, was fowil
in upon him with lavish abundance
letter imploring him to return. that 81
might see and bless him once more b
fore she died-and leaving everythin