Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-09-06

Jack.
"Well, you said so BEFORE" impatiently.
al have made up my mind" again re-
peated Jack, slowly, "to write to Miss
leighton and tell her that, owing to pre-
vious attachment, / am unable to comply
with the conditions Of my uncles will"
"Jack, you dear, old darling" giving his
hand little squeeze, at which smile lights
up Jack Hastings face, but it vsnishes on
hearing her next words T" How about the for
tune, Jack Z
Hang the fortunel" replied the young
man. and then, as she looks dubious, "Nel-
lie, you don't care about the money!"
"No, but"
But what Z"
"a little money is very nice to have but,
Jack, had ever 80 much rather have you,"
smoothing his forehead with her cool, soft
hand.
81 know you would, Nellie. Now, when
shall it be, dear ?"
"Oh, not before you have seen Miss
Leighton"
"But shall never see her. She will not
want to see me after she receives my letter."
"Oh, but l would rather you should,
just imagine your seeing her after our mar
riage and falling in love with her should
die, jack" and this time there are tears in
the blue eyes, but whether of grief, or
with mirth, Jack cannot tell. All his per-
suasion cannot move her, and so he leaves
her.
AS she watches his retreating figure her
face dimples and smiles she is quite sure
of her conquest, now, and is less jealous of
Miss Leighton.
The weeks sped swiftly by and the second
week in September had arrived. In two days
Jack is to meet Miss Leighton, for notwith-
standing his letter her guardian has sent
word that he thinks it advisable for the
young people to meet, as Miss Leighton is
anxious to make some arrangement about
the property, and next Wednesday is set for
| the meeting.
He has taken his farewell of Nellie, after
swearing eternal fidelity; but she is not fully
convinced. She has pictured Miss Leighton
in glowing colors as beauty with dark,
flashing eyes and stately figure, for since
she is a relative of Jacks, Nellie cannot get
the idea out of her head that she is bru-
nette, and is certain that Jack will fall in
love with the young lady on the spot. She
ends by asking him in pathetic tones, " What
will then be left for me to do 2" adding to
Jacks misery.
The night has at last arrived, and Jack
has spent longer time than usual on his
toilet and feels in a dissatisfied mood as he
rides along toward Beacon street. At last
the carriage stops, Jack is admitted and
shown into a small reception room by a
servant in livery. He hears the low strains
of waltz, but his attention is instantly
caught by portrait which hangs over the
mantle. 1t is the portrait of lady; the
face is proud and intelligent, the eyes large,
dark and brilliant; instinctively Jack knows
that it is the picture of Miss Leighton, and
he laughs to himself as he recalls Nelie's
description of her. He hears the rustic of
a silk dress in the hall, and the original of
the portrait, only prouder, handsomer if
possible is standing beside him.
For moment Jack remained motionless,
his breath almost taken away by the sud-
denness of her appearance. All his fine
speeches fly to the four winds.
al believe you wished to see me-" he
stammered.
"Yes." Her voice is low and contrast
ingly strange with his. "Mr. Cary, my
guardian, thought it best as he wished you
to know that it is over half million that
you are 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 golden head
and not for moment does he falter in his
allegiance.
az am unable to comply, as l am to be
married to Miss Long in two weeks"
A smile curls the lady's lips.
"Yes, 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 a rather sarcastic way,
as she handed him the paper.
Something in the tone offends Jack, and
taking the paper he deliberately tears it up
and throws it into the CRATE. al am obliged
to you Miss Leighton, but you must excuse
me if decline your gift"
Utterly unprepared for this contingency,
the lady stands glaring at him. Feeling
rather awkward, and not knowing what to
do, Jack bows and takes his leave. The
lady hides her face in her hands, and cries
no, laughs Her mental observation is, that
he must indeed be in love. Then she re-
turns to her guests, not without feeling of
modification that not only had she been re-
jected herself, but her gift had been indig.
nantly thrown at her feet by this naughty
young man.
Jack has told Nellie everything, and Nell
lie, at last convinced of his constancy, is all
the fondest lover could wish.
They are to be married in a week Jack
has bought small house and furnished it
as well as his means will permit. Nellie
has been over it and declared it to be the
loveliest, cosiest, little house in the world
| The wedding is to be very quiet they are
to have few friends at the house, among
others Raymond Lester, who mentally sets
Jack down as the biggest fool on record,
1t seems as if nature had made particu-
lar effort on this day, or at least, 80 Nellie
thinks, as she returns home from the church
with Jack, now her husband, to her cosy
little home. As they enter they are met by
a servant who hands them two cards, on
which are written:
"Mss Leighton and Mr.. Cary"
Jack becomes dignified, feeling quite sure
that they have come to renew the offer Of
the money as wedding present, and he is
fully determined to refuse it as bluntly as
before. Nellie, for the first time in her life,
is seized with bashfulness and begs her hus-
band to go in alone but he will not hear to
this for a moment and putting his arm re-
assuringly around her, walks into the room
and up to Miss Leighton.
"Miss Leighton" he begins, "allow me
TO present you to -" when he stops.
Nellie has slipped from his arm and is seated
on the sofa laughing in anything but digni-
fed manner. Jack looked from one to the
other in bewilderment. Nellie finally taking
pity on him, slips her hand through the lady s
arm, and leading her up to Jack, says a Mr..
Hastings, allow me TO present TO you my
aunt, Mrs. Leighton"
"And you" stammered Jack.
"Mrs. Jack Hastings, at your service,
making him low courtesy, turns to the
old gentleman, and taking both his hands,
says gravely; al told you, Mr.. Cary, he
should not marry me for my money, and
don't think he has. as."-Selected.
Irish Moss.