News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-02-02

perfumed letters were often brougt
over from the office in company wit
the paraffine can. I wrote my sermon
at one end of the round table, Will
Mary sat at the other sewing. Betwee
us was lamp with green paper shade
Now and then big bug would fly int
the window and go humming about on
heads, or a moth would try to SINCE ii
wings over the chimney and L woul
drive it out. The old people would G
to bed after while, and then Mary an
1 would find ourselves hungry. and sh
would go into the kitchen and fin
something good" Railways held tn
light for her. And when somethin
good was found we ate 1t on the bac
porch, sitting side by side on the ste
like two children.
She was so like a child, that it'll
Mary, that it seemed no harm to ask he
to kiss me good night, or to hold he
hand in mine, as it rested on my arm
in our long walks home from church OF
Sunday evening.
The summer passed, October came
Angelina returned to the city and wrote
| to me. It was while we were eating
peaches and cream on the back porch
that evening that said to Mary: SCI
will tell you secret if you will keep il
for while, Mary"
sob, of course 1 will, Mr.. Mactag
CERT"
ST am going to be married this au-
tumn, Mary" said. ''Those pretty
letters you always thought came from
my sister are from the lady who is to
marry me. She is very beautiful, very
rich, very stylish, but very kind. You
must come and see us, Mary. when we
are married. shall tell Angelina how
good you have been to me-what a
sweet little sister 1 found out here in
the Vale of Cruix. Why, Mary"
For, as L spoke, L felt the little hand
1 held grow cold and heavy in mine. I
saw her sink backward. The big china
bowl of peaches and cream slipped with a
crash to the ground and shattered to
pieces.
I caught the poor child in my arms.
In a moment she came to herself, and
said she had overtired herself, she
thought. They had been baking all
day, and it was warm. And now she
babe me good night. But I did not
see her the next day, nor the next. She
kept her room, and was not well enough
to bid me good-by.
Poor little Mary I felt very miser-
able. However, Angelina met me at
Glasgow. She was more beautiful than
ever-more elegant in contrast to my
simple country friend-and very soon
laughed at myself for the thought that
had been in my heart. Of course 1 said
it was the baking that had overcome
Mary-it was not my news. I had only
been to her as friend-as a brother, I
had not made love to her; above all, I
had not fiirted with her. But l thought
of Mary a great deal, and / missed her
every hour, exactly-oh, yes, exactly
as might sister.
1 wrote to Mrs. Stevenson, and her
answer was very brief.
"I haven't much time to write" she
said, in her postscript. ''Mary is sick,
and besides being driven I am anxious"
This letter was in my pocket on that
day when Angelina and I went together
to the bazaar for the benefit of the
church of st. Matthew.
After we had roamed about the bazaar
and bought all sorts of knicknacks, I
escorted Angelina to a seat, and there
sat down to wait while oneof the ladies,
who, son this occasion only" was do
Jig good. onerous, hard work, brought
us tray of refreshments.
As we sat there slipping our coffee,
two women sat down at the next table
with their backs to us.
81 am very tired, are you not, Mrs.
Russell ?" And the other answered:
"Yes, / am tired. 1 don't think that
it is worth the while to come all the
way from Vale of Cruix to Glasgow
sightseeing.
This was the voice of Stevenson's
nearest neighbor, and I liked her and re-
spected her, yet did not feel quite sure
how Angelina would like an introduc-
ton, and SO refrained from looking
round and making myself known.
g l think we'd better have tea" said
the voice. It's more refreshing than
coffee. Oh, how is Mary to-day
Think of my never asking before"
" Mary is poorly" said Mrs. Russell.
"Oh, Mrs. Cullen, what pity it is that
flirting young minister came down to
Vale of Cruix. 1 don't know what Mrs.
Stevenson was about to let him do as he
did. We all thought he was counting
Mary. She did, poor child. She just
loved him dearly. And the day before
he went away he told her that he was
engaged to some girl in Glasgow. I'm
afraid it has broken her heart. She
told me all about it. oh, Aunty Rus
SELL she said, L know I ought to be
ashamed, but I can't help it. He
seemed to like me so. hope L shall
die of this fever, for life is nothing to
me- Ashamed? Why, it's he who
ought to be ashamed. Of all the
things, minister to be a cold, cruel
firt and that is what Hugh Mactag-
CERT is.
listened, but 1 could not move or
speak, felt as though my heart was
also breaking, and oh, the time 1 suf-
fered The women drank their tea and
left, and then Angelina turned to me
with cold, sarcastic smile.
" I see by your face that the little
story is perfectly true, MIR. Mactaggert,"
she said.
Angelina" | faltered, 81 have done
nothing that should give offense to
you"
" Nothing but love another woman"
she answered. Glove her, and let her
see it, meaning to marry me. Don't
think I'm hurt, indeed, 1 am relieved
should have kept my word to you but
for this; but not so gladly rs I once
should. You are very good-looking
man, but on the whole you don't suit
me. L met Mr.. s. at Millport, and he
IL n n