The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-02-13

proved to be stately maiden, but with q
positive human interest in those about
her. Her blue eyes met Brooks's gray
ones with an absence of self-consciousnes
that was delightful, but which was evi.
IDENTIFY not the result of frequent encoun.
ters with others just like them; as it was
in Adelaide's case, for instance. Law
renee was fascinated. The difference
between her and other well-bred young
women was so positive, yet so intangible.
1T is not diffidence; it is not precisely
indifference" he thought at is that
she is not in the least thinking what sort
of impression she is making; not that
she knows and does not trouble herself
about it, but that she does not think of it.
Neither is she Analysing the impression /
am making, when she looks at me she is
thinking of me-myself. She is not sub
jective."
While he pleased himself with these
speculations and evasive analyses, Brooks
did not forget to be entertaining. He was
a charming companion when so disposed,
and his friend declared himself on the
fair way to recovery before the evening
was half over.
"a well-bred young man." said Mr..
Brewster to Priscilla, after Lawrence and
his friend had withdrawn to the latter's
bedroom, "and familiar with many
things if l do not mistake, he has lived
a life of constant business intercourse with
his fellows. 1t has impaired a certain
ease of manner and facility of speech
which are seldom met with but in those
who are often in companies of their own
kind"
Gle is very different father, is he not,
from the generality asked Priscilla.
" Perhaps it is better that he is; for
while his conversation is the more agree
able, it seemed to me that there was in it
a lack of earnestness. l think once or
twice he said what assuredly he did not
mean, as when," she went on, thought
fully, "he asserted that the seats of the
scornful were no longer regarded bad
taste they were ordered by the dozen for
every evening party Surely, father, he
spoke not with full understanding
The old divine smiled with some pri-
vate enjoyment.
"Did he say that, my daughter ?" he
asked. "Well, he is, as have said, con.
versant with the world and its ways and
it may be he spoke truth. Though l
much doubt if the young man is as
afflicted at such state of things as he
would do we'll to be-" he added, as he rose
to 60 to his own room.
The next morning Brooks found Pris-
ella with half dozen children around
her. They belonged to the few families
scattered in the neighborhood, and Pris.
ella was teaching them bits of natural
history and the general outlines of the
multiplication table. She told him to
stay if he wished to do 30, and soon after
sent the children away.
"Is this regular thing, Miss Brews-
ter ?" he asked.
EYES," she answered. "That 1 may
not be entirely useless where there is SO
much to be done, every morning l give
these children such little information on
general subjects as am able. Thanks to
my fathers care, am not familiar with
books"
al have fiattered myself that neither
was l altogether unfamiliar with books
but contract to supply information at a
given hour daily would certainly appal
me. The drafts on my imagination would
be exhausting."
1t is, as you have implied, RESPONSE
bility," she answered gravely. "The
danger is imminent of misstatement or
reinstatement. Particularly are the facts
Of natural history difficult for one to &C.
quire; and on this subject children are
ever curious. I fear the responsibility of
leading youth into error"
Lawrence found himself reminded of
Adelaide's conduct in similar circum-
stances. Her small niece demanded in
formation on the subject of the dormouse.
Now never had clear idea of dor
mouse" Adelaide had said, $50 | was
obliged to describe it and its habits in
detail lest she should discover my igno-
rance. l think had described an animal
somewhere between mole and queen
bee before l dared stop. My only excuse
for such barefaced invention is that have
lived long and eventful life without
feeling the need of more reliable informa-
ton on the subject of the dormouse; and
| have no doubt my niece will do the same
thing. Besides, discipline must be main.
tanned"
Brooks considered Adelaide's one of the
most thoroughly truthful natures he had
known. Yet what would be Priscilla's
judgment of her. He wished they might
meet. Fortunately for us, we are not as
ashamed OF acting truth as we are of
speaking it," he said, half to himself.
"Has the time then come" asked Pris-
ella, gazing at him with sad interest,
"when truth is thing to be ashamed of
in the world of men ?'
"No, perhaps not" said Brooks, startled
by the directness of the question into a
feeling that the age to which he belonged
was in need of some support in the eyes
of this incorporating little Puritan.
"But," he added, 1--WE are in a bad way
of keeping it for state occasions but it's
still indispensable. Then / don't think
we should quite know what to do without
it,"
1t was an Indian summer day. There
had been some severe frosts, but in the
afternoon the air was deliciously warm
and still. Priscilla started out to look
for fringed gentian, and as Lawrence's
friend was asleep, he asked permission to
accompany her. She gave it unhesitat-
ingly, and they turned their steps toward
a sunny hollow, through which ran path
bordered by late wild flowers. The mem
DRY of the walk was peculiarly dreamy to
Brooks afterward, the place and his COM
panion were so far removed from his
usual associations. She heard him with
an attention that more than once made