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

thought excludes all others-Jack has
called me darlingl
IL is ~ o'clock next morning before
remember the existence OF any other
man. am practicing at the miserable
rum which Mrs. Babbitt calls a piano.
when that lady enters the room, bear
Ing MIR. Arlington's card and big box
containing a magnificent bouquet of
rare exotics.
"a servant in livery brung 'um," says
Mrs. Babbitt, sourly. "Them there
flowers must cost all O. five dollars"
"Thas makes it all the better |" say,
gayly, meeting her hard, cold, suspi-
cious eyes with an untroubled laugh.
Why does she dislike my getting such
n lovely gift?
BY the end of the week their glorious
color and fragrance has succumbed to
the icy atmosphere of the parlor--my
own room is verify the Arctic Zone it.
self. To my delight the Offering is
repeated on Friday. This time Mrs.
Babbitt merely fiings tho box on the
piano, and stalks ont without word. ]
lsok after her with wondering eyes.
Poor old thing how she envies
me p I say, ccmpassionately, and bend
ing over the mass of bloom in perfect
content. Mr.. Arlington appears to me
the most thoughtful, generous gentle.
man in the world.
I am not surprised to find him nt the
rehearsal Saturday evening, and when
he asks to be allowed to see me home I
acquiesce readily. Jack looks 80 hurt
and angry that L hurry across to tho
1slt1. a. - l. =. l..
music books.
"Jack, I couldn't help it. I did it
out of pure gratitude. He has sent me
the two loveliest bouquets I ever saw"
"And what would you say If asked
you to receive no more flowers from
him p
~ should say you were iealousl" /
answer, promptly.
"Olive, warn you as I would sis:
ter" he says, very gravely. "You will
be compromised"
b Camnromised ?" rapaai, vaguely.
"Yes it seems horrible that people
should talk about poor little innocent
baby like you-but they will"
feel rather awed for a moment
then say, blindly: "Ah, we'll, it
doesn't matter so long as my own con.
science is clear |" And I go back to MI.
Arlington and we set out.
1t is such an odd sensation to be
walking with any one but Jack Some-
how the distance seems longer than
usual. When We reach Mrs. Bab-
bits my escort asks permission to
come in and get warm, and cannot
refuse, though blush for the shabby
parlor, where ice cream wouldn't melt.
But Mr.. Arlington apparently sees
nothing amiss and remains for pleas
ant half hour.
AS go up to my room meet my
landlady in the hall (; she scowls and
doesn't answer when I bid her good
night. That woman grows uglier every
day.
Next evening Mr.. Arlington is again
at church, but Jack whisks me away
With him Immediately altar service.
The funniest thing happened to-
night" say, as soon as We are in the
street. "You know how stout Mr..
Mesmer is? Well, Miss Woodward
handed him paper Tom Thurstone
gave her, supposing it was tho list of
next Sundays music. Poor Mesmer
looked at her all the evening in the
most heartbroken, reproachful way;
me it was an anti-fat circular
Jack pays no heed to this entertain
ing anecdote, but opens fire at once.
"Olive, Arlington went into Mrs.
Babbitt's with you last evening"
Chow do You know"
81 dare say you will think it odd-I
followed YOU"
"Odd 1t was underhanded, ungen.
tlemanly of you'll" say, vehemently.
"And il he came III for few minutes
it's more than you ever cared to do"
solve, dear Olive" he says, in o
tone OF keen reproach, sis there any
thing should more enjoy than spend
ing quiet happy hour alone with you
every Sunday eveningY"
"Then why on earth don't youp" I
ask, really puzzled. ''hIr. Mesmer
goes home with Susie, and they sing
for Mr., and Mrs. Woodward"
"Why, there is no comparison, Olive
An unprotected orphan like you cannot
dream Of receiving callers as Miss Wood.
ward does. And Arlington knows it
we'll enough, too; it is wickedly selfish
lion n Al, Al phas h;s :et viii Ia % com;n, 1 to 81
Stephens to gee his last fancyi" And
Jack grinds his teeth at the idea. "Oh,
it makes me furious to think OF any
.,;nh.... ,.o,., :, so.nao1 ros,;n on
si,sn'es. ansr oiea'T =, eo daOr n,;aa s =, Ia
your name Desr; ueal Else. vet, 4e .e
soes on sw b sNu v;fo o Jor,;nS ;n1 % snJ u
your life will be free from all that makes
SO hard nowp
"Oh r. 1 say, breathlessly; lam only
eighteen, and this is my first offer.
"Oh, 1 have only known you three
months. am sure, quite, quite sure
that shall never wish to marry you r.
Why doesn't he urge me to take timo
to consider itP In books they always
do Ha only eava. slowly.