News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-10-08
SAVED BY TELEGRAPH.


Before broad baize-covered table il
an elegantly furnished library a young
lady was busily engaged with a small
object, consisting of number of bras
knobs and springs, which appeared t.
interest her exceedingly.
She was in the first flush of lovely
womanhood, with full, graceful figure
warm, light brown hair, and soft haze
eyes glowing with excitement and inter
est. She appeared to have a varying
success in her employment, for at times
she would smile and clap her hands Joy.
fully, and again purse up her red lips in
pout and contract her delicate brows
with frown.
An appreciative observer would never
have troubled himself to inquire what
she was doing he would have been am
ply satisfied with the pretty picture she
made, in the pale silk robe with profu-
sion of ribbons, with her bright head
bowed over the table, The young man,
who that moment appeared at the open
door, certainly seemed to take that view
of it. He paused and looked at her
with eyes whose expression could not be
mistaken. They said "Loven as plain
ly as if he had cried the word in her ear.
Presently she raised her head and, de-
tectlng him, arose with blush, and ex-
tended her hand to him as he came to-
yard her.
You have discovered my secret, Mr..
Fielding" she said, laughing. 81 meant
to surprise you all with the extent of my
knowledge"
"And what were you doing2" he
asked, releasing her hand with evident
reluctance.
= Learning telegraphy,'' she replied
+" You know that on the days when papa
does not go down to the bank he uses
this instrument, which connects with
the office, to telegraph business messages
to Mr.; Reynaud, his partner. His sight
Is falling and | mean to offer my services
as operator as soon as l am capable
" a good operator should take a mes
sage simply by the sound of the instru-
ment, " responded Fielding, looking at
her with gaze before which her own
fell in confusion "Let us see how far
you have advanced. :"
She seated herself by the table with
pencil and paper and gayly prepared to
take of the mock message as he tapped
1t out upon the key.
Cllck-clickl lick-click-clickp
Augusta, she read with an air of
surprise; "why, that is my namer'
Listen" he replied gravely ~ have
not finished"
Click clickl click-cli click-clickl
cllck-click!'' ~ went the instrument
Augusta-darling- L love-you -
she read, in low voice and with burn
ing cheeks.
why, Mr.. Fielding I did not ex-
pect"-
"That would choose so clumsy q
means of declaring my love as a tele-
graph-key," he interrupted. taking her
two hands in his "But it did nof even
need that; for you must have seen in
my every word and look these past six
months that | love you with nv whole
heart. Tell me, have hoped in vain
Augusta, do you love me?"
She averted her face from him for
moment and made one last STRUGGLE for
composure, then yielded herself to him
wholly and was folded in his arms
AS they stood so, bewildered with
their sudden happiness, a step resounded
along the hall and tall, dark figure an
peared in the doorway. 1t was that of
a man forty years, powerfully built, with
a dead-black beard and hair, which gave
colorless features a hue of unnatural
whiteness. The face was one to inspire
dread rather than respect, distrust rather
than friendship-a hard, stern face
whose very smile was cruel, yet whose
cold impassibility never changed. IT
was only in his large, velvet-black ewes
that the passions of the mans nature he
traYed themselves.
He paused at the door and looked
from one to the other of the flushed and
faces with a swift, inauir-
ing glance.
"Mr. Reynaudp exclaimed both of
the lovers together.
" HIMSELF" returned the newcomer,
in deep, quiet voice. "I was looking
for your father, Miss Augusta, and ex,
pected to find him here. 1 hope l have
not intruded at an improper moment"
There was something in his tone
too subtle for description,
that struck upon Fielding's ear like an
lndefnable menace. Though far from a
coward, the young man was seized with
an almost superstitious fear of this per-
son, whom he had hitherto merely dis
liked. With an involuntary desire to
conciliate him, he turned and said,
frankly:
Gas an intimate friend of the family,
Mr.. Reynaud, may as we'll impart to
you what will soon be known to every
one. Miss Ashley has accepted me as
her future husband"
Reynaud remained silent and motion
less for a moment; but Fielding saw his
hands clinch themselves until the nails
were buried in the palms, while his eyes
glowed like two Goals of living fire.
Accepted l'' he rep ated, after awhile
in a low, smothered voice. She loves
you2 Why, of course" he added, with
a laugh, "the most natural thing in the
world. congratulate you, my young
friend"
He offered his hand, which the other
took, but dropped Immediately with an
shudder. 1t was as cold
and clammy as that of a corpse. With
that Reynaud excused himself and de-
parted. Fielding, who watched him as
be went, saw him stagger once or twice
rs he walked, like a man dazed by
heavy blow.
When he had gone, the two lovers re-
mained silent and disquieted as if some
unforeseen disaster had broken in upon
their newt found Happiness.
"What enmity has that man against