Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-01-16

no one waiting for her at the station,
and so took the most direct way
home, meeting Tom at the door.
Having wrought herself up to a
pitch of remorseful tenderness, Jessie
threw her arms about her brothers
neck, and burst into tears. Then,
having bestowed upon herself a vari-
ETY. of epithets of far from compli-
mentary nature, she ended by declar-
ing that 'sshe was never half so
wretched in her life -.qe
The thoughts that were uppermost
in Toms mind made him ascribe
his sisters otherwise unaccountable
words and conduct to only one source.
He looked greatly perplexed and
troubled. il @
"My dear Jessie, if you only knew
how much it grieves me to give you
any pain, / had rather it had been
left to me, but now that all is known,
let us talk the matter over calmly.
Julia knows of our compact, and how
/ would naturally feel under the cir
cumstances and l consider it a
strong proof of her regard for my
happiness that she should have writ
ten about you so frankly and kindly"
There were no tears now in the
flashing eyes that were directed tow
ard the speaker.
''Has Julia been writing to you
about me?"
Certainly. 1 had a letter from
the dear girl yesterday. If it were
intended for any other eye but mine,
would like to have you read it.
She speaks of you with so much af-
fection, l infer that you had a talk
with her before you left?''
81 never said word to her, and !
don't consider that she had any busi-
ness to write to you about it at all.
| haven't forgotten my promise nei-
ther. / told John that | would never
consent unless you consented too
| Tom looked at his sisters flushed
face in perplexity and amazement.
! Of course, l consent. How else
coold any such questions arise be-
tween us? 1t is your consent that is
needed, or, rather, your release to me
of the promise 1 made you.''
"You mean your release to me OF
the promise I made you?''
81 mean nothing of the kind
though, of course, that would follow
Julia has conscientious scruples about
giving me a decided answer until
have talked to you and won you
over"
almost exactly what l said tc
JOHN
'sBut I'm not talking about John
but Julia"
"And I'm not talking about Julia
but John!' laughed Jessie, ON who's,
befogged mind a light suddenl,
broke, and which sent the blood il
crimson waves to her temples.
Here she caught glimpse of JOIN
coming up the walk. Knowing wha
his errand was, she escaped by on
: door while he entered by another
running up stairs to her own room.
She obeyed very cheerfully, how
ever, the summons that reached her
, few minutes later.
} Tom met her at the door, his fac
wearing very smiling aspect as b
: led her up to their guest.
''John and / have made Bn ar
rangement, Jessie, which your pres
ence is needed to ratify. | hav
promised that if he will give me hi
, sister, will give him mine.''
, That neither Jessie nor Julia refus
: ed to ratify this pledge, the doubl
Y wedding that followed affords th
Y most satisfactory proof. The utmos
e harmony exists between the two fam
f lilies, now so happily united. In thei
frequent interchange of visits Tol
: and Jessie often laughingly allude t
It their compact and "How it wa
!. kept. Mary Grace Halpine.