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

lately.
"Then I'll come and spend the next
one here. It's no end of bore at home"
Priscilla regarded him seriously, with,
perhaps, touch of womsnly sympathy.
al have heard you speak before in that
tone of weariness," she said. al do not
know that have thorough understand.
ing of your words. When you speak of a
bore you speak of crosses of disciplines,
of something that must be endured with
patience 2"
Brooks looked at her, incredulously
but there was no mistaking the sincerity
OF her tone. What would not Adelaide
give to be able to ask what it was to be
bored
Eyes; l think l do" he answered,
doubtfully. "Shall tell her about the
emptiness of life ?" he thought. 81 fear
that would be going too far" He could
not tn ink of anything clever to say; yet
he felt that there was an opening for
good thing. "But, no matter for me-"
he went on, "tell me what to do, what
you think /; for you must think more than
anything else in the winter"
"My father has not thought it best for
me to 60 too deeply into my own moods
and impulses" said Priscilla, calmly.
"He has never encouraged habit of
introspection."
Lawrence was again checkmated. He
could not help thinking that, for that
matter, probably Adelaide's father had
not either
Its just as well, l suppose" he said,
thoughtfully, "not to get into the way OF
Analysing the effect that people and things
have upon ourselves. 1t is fairer to the
people and things to Judge them upon
general grounds. But do not quite see
how you help it,"
The effects are seen in the growth of
our characters" answered Priscilla. "It
is not needful that we should Judge of
them, for in due time they will be seen of
all men,"
"But what If they are hurtful 1t
may then be too late.'
at is our nobler ustincts-which it is
ever the object of good education to
strengthen-thst distinguish always a
good influence from one that is evil"
Was there no break in the armor of
this youthful Puritsn-no light-minded
conversation possible for her seriousness
Lawrence began to feel like an anachron.
ismhimself.
"But," he resumed, with apparent
guilelessness, "our noblest instincts lead
us sometimes astrsy. Love, for instance,
is occasionally depicted blind"
Priscilla did not answer. She seemed
to be thinking. Her eyes were downcast
and her sweet mouth was uncurved by the
slightest smile.
al have been told by the worldly wise,"
went on Brooks, more lightly, "that it is
safer to take Cupid by the hand and di.
rect his footsteps than to attempt to fol-
low his vagrant leadership"
There was pause of several seconds.
ut is not thing to talk about" said
Priscilla at last, very gravely.
Lawrence was tempted to smile at the
situation. Most young ladies of his
acquaintance thought it was a thing to
talk about very much indeed.
Priscilla was perhaps afraid that she
had been too severe for she went on 4:
81 am ignorant of such matters am,
perhaps, the happier therefor; for l have
heard that it is hardship sometimes and
a responsibility always; and" she went
on, more slowly, ga thing that is not 30
much a part of ones life as life itself,
and, being ordained and met, to bear with
and struggle for as one is best able"
Lawrence began to feel vaguely as if he
were in church and as if there had been
something irreverent in his aiming apples
at the nearest COW. 81 have no doubt you
are right" he answered soberly.
{" 1t is near the sunsetting," said Pris-
ella, rising, "and my father will be
troubled" So they bent their steps home
ward.
Lawrence's friend met him in the door
way. He looked at him keenly as he sat
down beside him.
"And where have you been with Mis-
tress Priscilla ?" he asked. Brooks told
him.
She does not approve of me-" he
added.
"You need not look at me so question.
ingly," he went on, after moments
pause. "You know what think of her
as we'll as l do myself
eyes," said his friend, quietly. alt is
possible that do. l think much and
often of her myself" and he went on to
speak of something else.
The next day Brooks left the place and
in the evening called on Adelaide. She
seemed to him little changed. There
was softer light in her eyes and her
usual warm color was more unsteady than
usual. But the old charm of voice and
manner was as potent as ever. As for
himself he was surprised at his own emo
ton. He felt he could not bear the los
ing her.
Adelaide" he said, after few mo-
ments, " have come for my answer.
meant to let decent interval elapse be-
fore drove you to an explanation; but
want my answer now. You are not still
in doubt ?"
"No, Lawrence" she said, with little
laugh, meeting his eyes frankly enough.
" l know my own mind now. These three
days have been long ones. o, Lawrence |
| have been so bored. Two men have
called on me, and said, after they were
gone, that did not see why they should
call so often. l never thought you called
often, Lawrence. Yes, have quite made
up my mind" and she laughed little
again.
Before he went he told her about Pris.
ella.
"How deliciousl" she said, but how
trying; and her views, how prehistoric I"
"Not so far back, perhaps, after ALL"
he said dreamily, thinking of that after