The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-12-29
HOW ROMANCE CAME.

/
stood beside his bedside. Cousin Ru-
dolph was OH the other. We we're
quite alone, for the nurse had been sent
away, and we were very sad, for VIC
loved our grandfather dearly. W.
were waiting 10 hea I something that III
had to say to us; and at last he spoke
"Rudolph ," he said, "you have no
formed any matrimonial engagement
without my knowledge, l Isuppose~
mo, sir" answered Rudolph.
"Nor you, Felicia? ~ asked my grand
father.
"Oh, no." said l.
81 am glad of that" said he, IN ov
Rudoldh, l know you admire you
cousin, and that she respects you. l
would rejoice me greatly if you woult
both think over a proposition which
am about TO make TO you. ! should like
to see you engaged 10 each other befois
l die. have left the property between
| you, and that would reunite it. Still
l would not make that my motive.
believe you well suited to each other
well contrasted in physical appearance
with the qualities to satisfy each other
l should know that Felicia had pro
tector on whom l could rely, and you !
wife TO make you happy. Think it over
and answer me Tomorrow"
Neither of us said anything. Soor
we were sent away; but that evening
Rudolph came to me.
"Fclicia," he said, "do you think
You could put up with me?'
"Rudolph," / answered, "even tt
please grandpa, l can't marry n hus
band who don't love me-
80 -~'I D-l~i.L Uioorlv,
Nobody could help it,"
"And | suppose romance is chief,
found in plays and novels" said I
"Real love and friendship ale what peo
plo actually have in happy married
life."
"Oh, as to that, let us be romantic,
too" said Rudolph. "You see, being
cousins, we've never thought of ii; but
l should be very glad ifyou could make
up your mind, my dear"
So the next morning-I was sixteeI
and Rudolph eighteen, remember W.
promised our grandfather 10 do as hi
wished. We were not 10 marry unit
was twenty and Rudolph twenty-five
Meanwhile l was to be under the pro
lection of an old friend, since / had M
living relatives; and we were both Il
take a tour through Europe, and tt
proceed with our education. We made
our grandfather very happy, and wep
in each others arms when he died
However, my feelings did not alter Il
Rudolph. / had always loved hin
dearly, and no special romance connect
cd itself with him. Only l think I
woman always feels pleased to know
that handsome, admirable Young maj
is her very own for life.
Thus matters were arranged whel
we started on our European tour il
the same steamer, under proper chaper
onage. We did the cities. We saw
nature as seen by other tourists. w,
looked at the pictures; heard the music
visited the libraries. We were by NJ
means always together, and it chancet
thot In Poma I uoo ;ptr0Jrca1 10
gentleman, a young friend of my chap
eron's, W who Y as very courteous TO me
and offered us his escort whenever
was needed.
lie was young sculptor, rich, ant
Italian by birth, by name Giovann
Monaldini, but very, very handsome
When l had known him little Will
Rome began TO have wondrou
charm for me. Places l cared nothin,
for at first were invested with gla
mour of romance. spent days in tn
galleries with him, my chaperon asleel
in a chair near by.
Rudolph declared Himself sick o
high art. He spent most of his time a
the house of the father of school frien,
of his, whom he had met by chance
fellow who always had a good ciga
and plenty ofmusic. Music was Ru
dolph's fancy just then.
How easily we slip into places W
would never enter willinglyl On
morning awoke in my little Roma
bed, under painted ceiling, and wit
the light falling upon me through
stained glass window, and suddenl
recognized the truth.
The romance that had not come I
me with my engagement to my cousi
had como with my acquaintance wit
,, Giovanni. loved my cousin; but
a was in love with the sculptor, and b
: with me.
Oh, the bitter shame feltl-the dee
contritionl could only say to mysel
! 81 could not help it," and then or.
"weak, wicked creature, how dare yo
sav that 2U And then I kualt down an