The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-01-27

h'ha poVplo nave DcBuu 10 balk. mrS.
Babbitt's manner frightens me, il ia SC
cold and forbidding; the boarders smile
or sneer knowingly as I pass them Oh
the stairs; even the. young ladies 1 meet
Mt churc.; begin to regard me with sus-
picion and aversion. A dread OF some
calamity hourly grows upon me.
The climax of all this annoyance
comes one evening. Just as am poinp
to rehearsal Mrs. Babbitt en- ers nv
room abruptly, and stares at the finger
where my precious ring is shining. l
gaze back at her in vague terror and un-
easiness.
"Where did you get that there gew-
gaw, Miss Hastings?" she asks, sharply.
d. l Lift my head haughtily, surprised
beyond words. She goes on in rough
coarse way:
"It was bad enough for you to take
young Arlington's flowers and music,
but when you have the brass to wear
his jewelry it's high time you left a
respectable woman's houseg'
Oh, my Goii-- This, then, is what they
think of mel I shiver and gasp; the
blood forsakes my cheeks.
"When you come home tonight
you'll find your wretched little trunk on
the front stoop with every dad O. yourn
in it. Don't ask to stay another night
here-your good name is clean gone
foreverl"
"Oh, Mrs. Babbitt, for heavens sake
don't send me awayl Where can I go?
What shall 1 dor"
"Ask Ralph Arlington |" she an
swers. with brutal laugh.
Then I bury my face in my hands
and fly past her, out into the darken-
ing streets, where no one can see the
shamed hot blood in my cheeks.
"Oh, mamma, mammal If could
only die and go to you r. cry with q
wild sob. I have not one coherent
thought till reach the church; then I
think that perhaps Susie Woodward
will take me home with her. No; her
greeting is strangely chill tonight, and
I can see that she avoids me.
Oh. this weary, weary evening"
grow moro heluSess and terrified every
moment. But just at the last moment
ray OF Light comes to me. Some one
passes me little note.
"SwEETEsT OLIvE-I have Just de-
cided to ask you to be my wife. You
need not write or say anything, only
turn your lovely face toward me, and I
shall know that your answer is yes.
"RALpH ARLINGTON"
His boastful certainty angers me, but
I catch at the one hand held out to save
me. Even while say in my heart "I
hate him, I loathe him." I turn my face
blindly in his direction. In strange
mingling of relief and pain droop nv
head languidly down on the rail before
me. The organ is laundering out the
grand music, the young people trim
ming the church are laughing gayly be-
low; but can only feel that I have bid
den farewell to happiness-and Jack.
We are almost the last to leave the
choir, so much do dread being alone
with Mr.. Arlington. but at last we 20
church, and into the unlighted cShfrech.
Then he clasps my hand tightly, and in
the darkness I can feel him bending
over me.
"Oh, I've forgotten my book |" I
cry, desperately. 81 must run back for
it,"
"What a nuisance Let me go |"
he says, rather impatiently.
"No-no, you couldn't find it."
say, and thankful for even o moments
respite I hurry back to the organ loft.
At first can distinguish nothing in the
soft, dusky gloom, spicy with the fra
~ fhn lr,k II
make out q mans figure standing by the
organ. 1t is Jack run to him and
catch his hands frantically in my own.
"Oh, Jack, I'm so wretched. Ar
lington has asked me to marry him"
"Then he is better than I thought
himw
"And I had to say yes, for Mrs. Bab-
bitt has turned me out; but I'm SO
soTyl He might-he might even want
to kiss mel"
"Quite likely" says Jack, with a
grim smile; but he looks deeply moved.
"Don't laugh |" / say, piteously. 81
won't marry him-1'll die in the streets
first Oh, 1 hear him coming-hide
me, save me r.
Quick as thought Jack draws me after
him into the book closet. and closes the
door just as Mr.. Arlington enters the
gallery.
"The little mink, she has slipped out
some other door, he says, in vexation.
"Couldn't believe l was in earnest,
suppose" And he hastened oil in pur.
suit. t.r
What an escaped" l say, as we
emerge from the closet, .
Darling" begins Jack, with pas
sionate eagerness, darling Olive,
would you rather that"
"Yes-yes, thousand times I" an
swer, and then break down into the
tempest of sobs and tears l have re.
pressed all the evening. Jack soothef
me tenderly with loving words and
caresses / have never known before
The rich incense of the eveSgreens wraps
me in delicious languor; feel that
have found blessed haven of rest.
Presently raise my head from hii
breast, and look mp with my pooi
drowned eyes.
"Jack, you mustn't marry me-" say
tragically. my good name is clear
gone forever-Mrs. Babbitt says SO I"
"Well, then, i must give you an
other, sweet" he says, blithely, and be
fore half comprehend him We are dow
at the altar, where the minister is still
talking with one of the deacons, ani
Jack is saying that We wish to be mar
ried Immediately. We kneel down
Jack in his overcoat, in my ulster and
plain Derby hat; Jack uses my gag,
d'amitie as wedding ring, and in five
minutes We are husband and wife.
We go out into the street, and wall
along rather solemnly under the snow
laden trees and clear. starry heavens.
Jack, my trunk is on that woman'l
doorstep" say, diflidently.
"Good |" he says. with joyous laugh
Since you are all ready, let us 60 of
for n wedding trim"