The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-04-21

"What did he wentT" Miss Pelham
inquired, as she unfastened the strings
b Of her bonnet. .s.-.'
Cecile carefully folded her letter in
hall, and answered, demurely:
''H ITO see aunt"
"Dear me. How very strange r. said
Miss Tilt, blushing.
He is coming again this afternoon,
as I told him you would most likely be
in them" .. r..- -.r .
Whatever can he wish to see me
for2 can't imagine"
Her aunt's tone was so odd that at
last Oecile raised her eyes.
"Poor aunt She thinks he is in
love with her |" was the thought that
flashed into her mind, and her cheek
became as rosy as her lips. "How can
she, when he is twenty-four and she
six-and.thirty ?" .......... %
"Now, il it had been the dcctor,"
said Miss Pelham. with n popdero,ns at
tempt at looking arch, 81 should have
said he was coming to ask you q very
important question" .4.-. ~.
"For shame - said Miss Tilt. $50
phia, how can you2 Poor Mr.. Parry |
What shame to put such ideas into
ones head" ~ ..t t. .-... s.-, t
HE certainly is very fond of coming
here" said Cecile, thoughtfully. "And
he is about your age, auntie, and very
nice, kind man." rer.-.~ r-ror. ..
".My dear girl He 10 years older
than l am. He must be at least thirty
eight"
Her niece did not smile whom Miss
Tilt made this announcement, but she
had hard work to keep her rebellious
mouth straight. That afternoon Cecile
went by herself 10 call on friend who
lived some two miles away. AS she
was returning she met Murchison.
> '"You should not walk alone, now
that the hop-pickers nre IN the neigh
boihocd," he said, severely. You
must let me see yon homo"
As she made no opposition he walked
by her side, ste5liug many q side glance
at her face.
'a'Promise me-" he continued, after q
minute, "that you will not go out
alone sgain until they are gone. I
don't lik Q to think of it. They are On
awfully rough lot"
"They won't interfere with me. I
am not afraid" she said, laughing.
ro," "But am. Pray don't think mo in
terfefing, bat it is not safe for an un-
protected girl in these l,nely lanes"
.qrCecile was silent aud half embar-
rassed for few minutes, but soon re-
covering herself changed the subject.
q They were both surprised when they
found themselves at the gate; the time
had passed 40 quickly, owing to an in
teresting conversation.
"Oh, here we are at home |" said
Cecile, blushing directly after for the
dismayed tone OF her words.
am sorry,"' he answered, extend
ing lis hand. 1t has been delight
full walk to me at least. May it soon be
repeated r.
lingeringly, and when her shy look met
his, as she said, "Good-bye, and thank
you" there was something in his eyes
that made her hastily withdraw and run
into the house, with her very neck suf-
fused with color.
She went straight upstairs and had
removed her hat when her aunt's voice
called her into her bedroom. She found
Miss Tilt sitting on the side OF her bed
with her handkerchief to her eyes.
What is it, auntieT and Cecile
hastened to her side in some apprehen-
sion. "Oh, not-not-bad news from
home I"
"Oh, dear, no" Miss Tilt hurriedly
responded. Nothing bad has hap
pened. I am only little agitated.
Cecile, dear, I am engaged to be mar
ried." 49,, .-- .r..
"Oh, amt, am very glad, and not
much surprised. thought it would be
so some time-I guessed it as soon as
came" ,..s .- ,,..- fr
"Did you, dearr' fsv,.o.f .r. 3D..
glance, and then surveyed herself in
the mirror which happened to be op-
posite. . .,t 'f.f nr
- i like him so much" Cecile went
on; che is 80 unselfish, and DO quiet
and grave and gentlemanly. Is il to
be long engagement
"No; on the contrary, Edwart. wishes
to be married as soon as possible"
Edward I thought did not
know his name was Edward ?"
"Ted, then T. said Miss Tilt, with
difidence. 81 can hardly bring myself
to speak Of him 30 familiarity"
Cecile started, opened her lips and
closed them again without speaking,
while the blood rushed to her face and
then receded, leaving it unusually pale.
"He came directly you had gone. OF
course people may be rather surprised
at my accepting man so much younger
than myself-but after all age is more
in feelings than in years; and he looks
older than he is" -'r
"Yes," she answered slowly, and
placing her arm about her aunts thin
figure, she gave her loving kiss.
"I hope you will be happy" she
whispered; then moving toward the
door, she added, al remember that my
letter is not posted. I'll just run and
take it myself"
She walked down the road with her
head in a whirl, and it was some min
utes before she could collect her
thoughts. When they assumed definite
shape Cecile knew that she had been
ver5 near falling in love with Ted
Murchison. So near that just now she
felt as though she had lost something
out of her life, and as though she would
give great deal to be at home. ,~-
A dangerous and infections disease
having appeared in her family was the
reason OF Cecile's exile, which had now
been Of two months duration. During
those two months sho had been thrown
much into contact with Ted Murchison,
and MIR. Parry the doctor, it being the
latter Of these to whom her thoughts
had flown when her aunt announced
her engagement. ....... .-..
"Aunt has a nice income Of her own.
and l have none" she could not avoid
thinking. though despising herself for
ne sneaS base suspicion ON gqs ho he hasa has always
how dare he-talk to me as he has done.
and look at me like that How
Qtrnt1 I hava haax. moi 10 Gao th.oanh