The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-09-22

is not fully convinced. She has pictur-
ed Miss leighton in glowing colors ms
beauty with dark, flashing eyes and
q stately figure, for since she is
relative of Jacks, Nellie cannot get the
idea out of her head that she is bru-
nctte, and is certain that Jack will fall
in love with the young lady on the
spot. She ends by asking him in pa
thetic tones, "What will be left for inc
to dor adding to Jacks misery.
The night has at last orrived, and
Jack has spent longer time than usu-
al on his toilet and feels in dissatis-
fed mood as he rides along Beacon
street. At last the carriage stops, Jack
is admitted and shown into small re-
ception room by n servant in livery.
| lie hears the low strains of a waltz,
bat hio attention is instantly caught by
a portrait which hangs over the man
tel. 1t is the portrait of a
lady; tho face is proud and intelligent,
the eyes large, dark and brillian; in
stinctively Jack knows that it is the
picture of Miss Leighton, and he
laughs to himself as he recalls Nellie's
description of her. He hears the rustic
of silk dress in the hall, and the orig
inal of the portrait, only prouder,
handsomcr, If possible, is standing be-
side him.
For moment Jack remained mo-
| tionless, his breath almost taken away
by the suddenness of her appearan ce.
All his fine speeches fly to the tour
| winds.
"I-I believe You wished to sec me-
he siammcred.
eyes" Her voice is low and con-
trastingly strange with lis. "Mr.
Cary, my guardian, thought it best, as
| L. i'll 4 ''---" - :" "'S'
half million that You arc refusing
when you refuse to-when you refuse
the alliance
A soft flush covers face and throat as
she speaks. She is very beautiful and
so Jack must admit.
His thoughts fly back TO a golden
head, and not for moment does he
f,llcr in his allegiance.
"i am unable to comply, as am to
be married to Miss Long in two
weeks"
a smile curls the lady's lips.
"Ycs, so Mr.. Cary informed me,
and we have decided TO make over to
you portion of the fortune, for which
have had deed of gift made out"
She said this in rather sarcastic
way, as she handed him the paper.
Something in the tone oncnds Jack.
and taking ihe paper lie deliberately
iears II rIfy and throws 1t into the graie.
al am obliged to you, Miss Leighto II,
but you must excuse me if | decline
your gift"
Utterly unpreparcd for this contin-
es"~y, .LA ial,' aionla esi~.;"S ct him.
Feeling rather awkward, and not know
ing what to do, Jack bows and takes his
leave. The lady hides her face in her
hands, and cricsI no, laughs! Her
mental observation is, that he must in
deed be in love. Then she returns to
her guests, not without feeling Of
modification that, not only had thc
been rejected herself, but her gift had
been Indignantly thrown at her feet by
this naughty young man.
Jack has told Nellie everything, and
Nellie, at last convinced of his con-
stancy, is all the fondest lover conld
wish.
They are TO be married in n week !;
o"v'- ....'' '''-''s"' e.''.it u''"r. ""u iui =
nislca 1t ms we'll rs his means will per-
nit. Nellie has been over it and de-
olaica il {" Dc the lovellesI, cusiest lit
Tie house in the world. The wedding
is to be very quiet; they are to have n
few friends at tho house, among others
Raymond Lcistcr, who mentally sets
Jack down rs the biggest fool on
record.
1t seems MS il nature had made par
ticular effort on this day, or at least go
Nellie thinks, rs she returns homo from
the church with Jack, now her hus-
band, TO her cosy little home. AS they
enter they are met by servant who
hands them two cards, on which arc
writton:
"Miss Leighton and Mr.. Cary"
Jack becomes digniliel, feeling quite
sure that they have come TO renew the
offer of the money as wedding pres
ont, and he is fully determined TO re-
fuse it as bluntly as before. Nellie, tor
the first time in her life, is seized with
bashlulness, and begs her husband 10
go in alone, bnt he will not hear to this
for moment, and putting his arm re-
assuringly around her, walks into the
room and mp to Miss Leighton.
"Miss Leighton" he begins, "allow
me TO present yon To-" when he
stops. Nellie has slipped from his arm
and is seated on the sofa laughing in
anything but dignified manner. Jack
looked from one TO the other in bewil-
dermcnt. Nellie finally taking pity on
him, slips her hand through the lady's
arm, and leading her mp TO Jack, says:
"Mr. Hastings, allow me TO present to
you my aunt, Mrs. Leighton"
"And you?" slammered Jack.7
"Mrs. Jack Hastings, at your GER
vice." making him n low courtesy,
turns to the old gentleman, and taking
both his hands, says gravely: 81 told
you, Mr.. Caiy, he should not marry
me for my money, and don't think he