The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-10-24


apartment. Then, taking her seat at the
piano, Lydia began to play and to sing al
ternately.
She had considerable knowledge of
music and fine voice, and, wrapped up
in her occupation, she started when the
door of the front room opened and SER
want, who was to her invisible, announced
Mr.. Horace Freake.
Lydia rose and received her visitor,
meantime ordering the gas to be lighted.
It was half-past eight. Why had he
called at that hour? Why had he not
come in the daytime, while she was so
dull, rather than just when she was sing
ing ? But, upon the whole, she was glad
to see Horace, who, no doubt, simply de-
sired to inquire how she was after the
dance of the previous evening, and had
not been able to do 80 earlier. AS he be-
trayed, nevertheless, a certain hesitation
in his manner, she led the conversation,
and asked him whether he had enjoyed
Lady Carnaby's ball. He had, he said,
pretty well and then ensued a pause,
during which Horace rather awkwardly
took seat at Lydia's side on an ottoman
and gazed at the carpst. Mr.. Freake was
not altogether stupid, but even wits often
become rather dull when they are medi-
tating an immediate proposal and the
situation is 80 trying to almost every man
who finds himself in it, that it amply ex-
cuses the exhibition of little uneasness
and nervousness. Mr. Freake certainly
was nervous, but he soon recovered him
self.
"Your father is at the meeting, sup
60 11l1 oil h,
yourself here, Miss Lirripip2"
"Oh no l have been singing; and all
day have been painting"
But dull, mean, without society I
know that do; and have much more
society, 1 suspect, than you have. Unless
I go out, the evenings, find, pass very
slowly. cannot get the excitement of
work, for, of course, one can't paint by
artificial light; and if I try to read, l
generally go to sleep over my book"
81 think that you must be difficult to
please, Mr.. Freake. You have lovely
studio, and you ought always to be able
to amuse yourself among such beautiful
things as you have in your house."
"Nol [ don't think that am difficult
to please Miss Lirripip for 1 know ex-
actly what l want. The fact is that a
bachelors existence is not suited for a
man of my feelings and sympathies. l
live wrapped up in my selfishness, and
feel my heart growing colder and colder
every day. have beautiful things in my
house, but they don't satisfy me. / want
living beauty-something which / may
really care for and do for-something
which shall make my life complete. And
10 fol h fO oh / ir-
ripip, that came to see you this evening"
Lydia experienced peculiar sensation
which she had never felt before.
"You know, suppose, Miss Lirripip,"
what l mean. You know that since first
saw you, three or four years ago, have
loved you" And Horace took Lydia's
unwilling hand. "Can you," he went on,
"learn to love meP Will you be my"
Ratatattatattattat There was knock
at the front door, and Lydia was greatly
relieved.
"Is somebody coming up ?" asked Hor-
ace apxiously. "Oh, do much want to
tell you all, Say you are not in. Send
them away. But let me stay. Promise
to let me stay"
A voice, evidently Mr.. Merton Murley's
was now audible from below, the drawing
room windows being open and the voice
being loud.
at is Mr.. Murley," said Lydia. 81
expect that he only wants me to give some
message for him to my father. He viii
not detain me. But if 1 let you stay, you
must not talk any more as you have beer
talking, Mr.. Freake."
At this moment there were footsteps or
| "a,
word, fled incontinently into the bach
drawing-room and rapidly drew the cur
tains behind him 30 as to conceal himself
from the newcomer, who Immediately
afterward was announced.
Mr.. Murley was not 30 nervous as Mr.
Freake had been upon his first appear
ance. He shook hands with Lydia in al
easy and light-hearted manner, paid he
an airy compliment, seated himself com
fortably opposite her, aud, without many
preliminaries, revealed the object of hi
visit. 81 know that your father is out
Miss Lirripip," he said, and may al
we'll confess at once that have deliber
ately taken advantage of his absence II
come and see you upon subject which
nearly concerns my happiness. SHOULD
have spoken about it last night but that
could not command your attention saw
for few minutes at time. Now, how
ever, we are safe from Interruption
"But, Mr.. Murley," said Lydia, 81
would be so much better if you would cal
when my father is in.'
ooh, that is not important, my dea
Miss Lirripip. 1t is subject that ma,
be settled by you alone"
"Please, Mr.. Murley, do not tell m
about it now" pleaded Lydia; "the win
dows are open, you know, and there ar
servants about the house, and"
Observation-Disclosures
This time Horace, rs we'll as Lydia
was relieved but Mr.. Murley was furious
"Let me see you tomorrow" he sal
hastily.
"Yes no no |" returned Miss Lirripir
thankful for any opportunity of gettin
rid of him. Goodbye, Mr.. Murley
, good-byel' And the same servant VIII
showed up Sir Pertinax Popinjay showe
down Mr.. Merton Murley, who glared a
the Baronet with look which spok
volumes.
r "My dear LYDIA" said Sir Pertinax a
he offered both his hands to Miss Lirripip
} "you were really charming last night.
(; never saw such perfect sylph in my life
, and many people agreed with me. 70
l~.Iz xE