The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-07-22

think"
Don't grumble, papa; you shall
have brace of partridges to-day"
The colonel nodded approvingly, and
began to read his newspaper, whilst his
daughter fastened to hold a conference
with the housekeepers.
AT eight o'clock on the same evening,
whilst Colonel Kemp was lingering
over his coffee and Victoria singing to
him series of Scotch ballads, in which
the old soldier delighted, Mr.. Sydney
Chevilstone was announced. The col
onel arose hastily from his seat, with an
air of doubt and curiosity, treading so
violently on the paw of his favorite set
ter, Psyche, who had been crouched at
his feet, as to cause her to set up dis
NAL howl and growl angrily at the
stranger.
Victoria, following her fathers ex-
ample, stopped short in the middle of
"Auld Robin Gray" and rose invol-
UNFAIRLY. But, as their guest, with
pleasant smile and extended hand, adj
vanced toward the master of the house,
it required all the good breeding and
self-possession of the veteran and
daughter to prevent their uttering an
exclamation of extreme surprise.
The newcomer was neither hob
bledehoy " nor very little boy" as
surmised by father and daughter. He
was a tall, handsome and particularly
dignfied man of about eight-and-
twenty. Sydney Chevilstone, in fact,
was so striking in appearance that he
would attract attention anywhere.
The visitor was, as was to be ex-
pected from his never having resided
out of India, exceedingly dark-so dark,
indeed, that his complexion would
have been almost disagreeable to the
eye of an European. but for the great
intelligence in his dark eyes and the
dazzling whiteness of his teeth, which
vantage. His iet-black hair was short,
silky and curly, and a small, we'll
trimmed moustache shaded his upper
GA guardian to that stately animal?
Pooh!' muttered the colonel to himself.
But he babe him welcome with all the
self-possession he could at that moment
muster, and introduced him to his
daughter.
Victoria, who had prepared to see
boy of certainly not more than sixteen,
for once entirely lost her presence of
mind, and colored deeply as she re-
turned young Chevilstone's graceful
bow. She felt that she was awkard,
that her demeanor was more that of a
village girl than that of a well-bred
young lady. She was angry with
herself accordingly, and the concious-
ness of her gaucherie did not as
sist her to look less gauche. Sidney
Chevilstone came to her relief.
You were singing, Miss Kemp,
Pray do not let me disturb you"
"But," put in the colonel, "have
you dined, Mr.. Chevilstone?"
sob, yes, before left town.
" But your traps?"
ooh, your butler is seeing to them.
They are being carried to my room"
I" His roomH' thought the colonel.
L" Confound his impudence! At least
you will let us offer you cup of
coffee?" he said aloud, and rang the
bell for new supply of cake.
/" With much pleasure" said the Wis
itor, on condition that / do not dis
turb Miss Kemp"
oh, my daughter was only singing
me Scotch ballad. l have foolish
Partially for Scotch airs"
:" All, so have I Miss Kemp was
singing Aud Robin Gray thought
l caught the air as l came up stairs, -
and he looked with interest at the
young lady.
" Go on, then, Vic, since Mr. Chevil-
stone permits it, said the colonel.
Victoria hesitated. 1t seemed, at so
early stage of acquaintanceship, very
like being " trotted out for inspection. ="
But she felt that to be occupied any
how was preferable to sitting unem-
ployed under the searching gaze of the
some nervousness-a thing very I'M
usual with Victoria-she resumed her
seat at the piano and commenced the
beautiful and touching ballad. Was ii
wonderful that, interpreted by such an
exquisite contralto voice as that of Vic
toria Kemp, the sad story should &c
right to Sydney Chevilstone's heart?
Never had the young man in his Anglo
Indian experience had the opportunity
of listening to so pure and beautiful a
voice. So it was not surprising that
Sydney Chevilstone was quite taken by
storm: and when, at the conclusion OF
her ballad, Victoria ventured to glance
furtively at him, she was astonished
and gratified to perceive that the tears
had actually gathered in his eyes, and
that he was incapable of uttering a sin
gle word of thanks. Even the old col
onel sighed as he stroked Psyche's long
silky brown ears.
Ah," said he, that's something
like music! l don't know whether it's
out of my regard for the old Highland
ers, but the very name of anything
Scotch warns my heart. Kiss your old
father, Vic, darling. You sing like a
seraph."
Victoria bent over her father.
+" Shall / sing another, papa, dear?"
"Oh, no-I-that is-pray excuse
mew burst in Sydney, impulsively
and then he looked embarrassed.
The colonel and Victoria turned to
him in surprise.
g You were going to say something's
said the father.
The young man looked more and
more confused. After few moments
he stammered out:
Well, was going to ask Miss Kemp
not to sing any more"
"Ah!" exclaimed the old soldier, de.
lighted. "There's a compliment fol
you, Vic. Mr.. Chevilstone thinks as
L.. Ia "a Al 1, a.. 4 T.