The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-06-02
JAMIE.

oanle, ealu soIuIe murueu, nave
you fed the young turkeys2''
"Yes, john" jamie answered.
"And looked .sfteru thfed"1b Ieaih,.
er.beds, and cleaned the cellar, and
sorted over the russet apples? ?"
Eyes, Cousin john"
"Ah," said Squire Marden, 'it's q
heavy responsibility to put upon one
person, I'll these daily duties, jamie, eh?"
~ hope do everything TO please
you, john" faltered the quiet girl, who
sat picking over beans in huge four
quart pan.
eyes, Janie-yes, I've no cause to
complain" said the squire, thoug ghtfully
feeling Of his handsome, smooth .shaven
chin, as he sat looking at the slender,
pretty girl,
While jamie Lee, conscious that his
eyes were upon her. changed from pink
to pale and then beck again, and worked
more steadfastly than ever.
"Janie," said the squire, suddenly,
1--WE something to say to you; and
there's no use in putting it Off"
jamie glanced mp, more agitated than
ever.
"1.m thinking Of marrying again.
Jarie tried TO say, "Are your" but
her tongue Glove to tho roof Of her
mouth. Poor, little, futtering, shy
thfng-at that moment a flood OF inde-
scribable happiness seemed to overflow
her soul. Ever since her cousin Mrs.
Marden) had died, four years ago, and
she, girl of sixteen, had taken the
helm Of housekeeping into her strong
young hands, she had been learning to
worship the stately, handsome, noble
natured squire, Nothing was too much
for her, when it was done for him.
Full of Carlyle's "Hero. Worship"
jamie Lee could have written half o
dozen volumes on the subject, and taken
Squire John Marden for the central
point OF every one OF them. Now and
then, spurred by kindly word, gem
tie tone, she had veutnred to hope she
knew not what OfteDer still, she had
fallen into the depths OF despondency-
nptil, at last. she had resolved to spend
her quiet and uneventiul life in Squire
Marden's service, whether or not her
""BfIif GiowS-now that he looked at her
with those kindly pleasant eyes-now
that he spoke of "msrry ing sgain"
heart leaped high in her bosom. Were
those long years OF conscientious toll
appreciated at last? Was he, indeed,
about TO ask her to be his wife ?
marrying again !" the squire repeat
ed, slowly. "You wouldn't object, eh,
Janie?'
"I2" she faltered.
"Your position, You see, would re-
main Just the same" said he. "Matilds
is q perfect child about the cares of
housekeeping, and will. doubt not, be
pleased to retain J on hero us her right
hand in the house; for, as you may per-
haps have guessed, | have proposed to
Matilda Keir."
Janie's heart seemed turilg to ice
within her. Matilda K-ir. The dashing
city beauty who hal boen spending the
dark-eyel Di Vernon Of girl, who had
made fun OF farms and farmers, avowed
her ignorance OF all domestic details as
II it were merit and dawdled away her
time in crcquet, lawn tennis and novel
reading Matilda, who dressed in the
very extreme of the fashion, with
frizzed hair, silt heeled French boots,
pull-back dresses, elbow sleeve and
long, wrinkle wristed kid gloyes-who
declared that life wasn't worth having
without archery-parties. charades and
chocolate caramels The last person In
the world whom one could have imag-
ined John Marden to fancy
Don't fret, jamie" said the squire,
kindly "Your home is here always
wife or no wife. haven't forgotten all
that you were to poor Mary, before she
diedr
The touch Of his hand upon her droop.
ing head seemed TO loose the fountain
Of her tears. and fiinging away her work
jamie darted, sobbing, from the room.
Squire Marden looked after her, in
allow. scarcely -comprehending surprise,
"Of all enigmss," he said, aloud,
women are the least comprehensive.
One would think she would have been
delighted at tho prospects OF some ono
to keep her company in the house. But
perhaps she prefers being alone. jamie
always was quiet little thing"
But when she came 10 cali him to
tea, jamie Lee was quite calm and com.
posed again little pale, perhaps, but
otherwise entirely herself.
"Mr. Marden." said she, with down.
cast eyes. II am sorry i behaved so
foolishly, this afternooni but was so
taken by srrprise. IL am sure hone
that you will be ksppyi"
"You are always kind little darling.
JAMIE" said Mr.. Marden, with a smile.
"And am sure you and Tllie will Get