Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-04-30

ana noQSo"paSG all lHe UIIS III lHiHSo
of nature, that now appeared but a
dreary mockery and fell upon mos
sy bank with deep, heart-breaklng
sob.
This, then, was the end-the end
to her first pure love, and all the
visions it had created. Somehow
Leila never so much as questioned
whether little ten-year-old Johnny
was trustworthy messenger of such
news. What right had she to expect
anything different? Had she any
claims on Ivan, or any assurance that
he had not forgotten her entire
ly? What more natural than for
him TO marry?
If Leila, when she had turned from
the road, had looked far ahead, she
would have perceived just round the
bend, a form whose manly strides
she would have recognized at a
glance.
It was Ivan Kirke. and he quicken
ed his already rapid pace as he
caught a glimpse of her as she passed
in among the trees.
Her eyes were still moist, but she
had passed the first convulsive Sob
bing when she heard his step, and
before she could flee he stood before
her.
Leila" he exclaimed, as he came
forward with a glad smile, II thought
l saw my little forest maiden turning
into the wood. What! you must
have been crying"
Leila made one heroic effort for
self-control. Whatever might hap
pen, Ivan should never know her
| hopeless love. Gulping down the
rising sob, and rapidly winking two
or three times, she answered, II
haven't -
! 1t was the first fib, and she went
on to elaborate with astonishing read
mess.
II have been sneeZing, oh, so
/ hard! just see, my feet are wet =
and she pointed to two tiny shoes
(! slightly damp. ''But | am glad to
see you, Ivan. l thought you wasn't
coming till tomorrow.
/ Il thought l would give you a
surprise. Have you heard the news 2:
eyes; Johnny just told me. II
suppose you are too happy to live,
aren't you? ?'' Her words were utter
/ ed pleasantly, but her hands were
clinched till the marks of the nails
were imprinted in the flesh.
''No, Leila; the fact is, | don't
/ feel nearly as happy as | had expect
ed I should;' and he poked the
grass musingly with his cane.
''Not happy?" and Leila looked
at him in amazement "Then you
.sThen | don't deserve my good
fortune. / know it. I'm whimsical
as child. When / left here las
autumn / could think of nothing else
was blind fool, and as the time
] passed and the momentous day drew
nearer and nearer, / found that
that my happiness depended upor
something entirely different.
Leiia's cheek became ivid. Wa
/ his marriage mistake? With quicl
intuitios she OWNED his meaning
! He had married another while lovin!
her, and had already repented. Blu
what right had he to tell her of this
What right had he to speak to her il
that tender tone now?
'sLelia, | have come back to teI
you that / love you; that L nav
! loved you though
With flashing eyes she drew bac
: the hand he had taken.
I s.That will do, sir. l will nc
! hear one more word
He looked at her in amazement a
= her sudden anger and scorn. III
would have spoken further, but jus
then Johnny came racing throug
the woods, and flung himself upo
: VANS neck, with wild exclamation
: of delight.
"Oh, Ivan, did you bring yor
| wife?' was his eager inquiry, shortl.
"What do you mean, Johnny
: he asked.
l "Oh, know all about it and s
= does Leila. You can't make foo
, of us-can he, Leila. / heard man
a telling about it yesterdar.
i A CLEAN shot through Ivan's eyes
"What was it mother said, Johl
e ny?'
n ssShe told Mrs. Grove that no
d you'd won the prize you'd be mo
y than ever welded to Miss Som
q body"
1t HAnd you told Leila. did you p
"Yes.''
= ssJohnny do you see that squire
q I'll give you half crown if you
Is catch him."
Is As Johnny darted away Ivan tur
< ed to Leila, and there was deep ear
estness in his voice as he spoke.
Is s'Did you believe it, Lelia?
le Eyes. II didn't know. job
ny said
, sNever mind Johnny. 'Wedd
n to his art is one of mothers G
pressions in describing me. c
1d Leila, art is beautiful and grand, /
it is a poor thing to love. May
q, not have better?''
Six months later, in the ivy-col