Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-02-09

"A Su(Vtcu UttSl was OH tuo uudii-
en- s cheeks, and her glance fell. 1t
was impossible that she should mis-
interpret Bernard's meaning.
s'There is Oswald Harbury to think
Of" Olives guardian was daring
enough to add. /
Two shining eyes were momentari-
ly uplifted. Was the flash they gave
one of indignation, of scorn, or mere
ly of confusion at betrayed secret?
Bernard could not guess.
1.-THE nature of my employments
can make no difference whatever, in
any way that | can imagine, to Mr..
Harbury," she answered Then-it
seemed to Bernard a strange transi-
tion-"Will you forgive me for ask
ing favor?" she went swiftly on
Il should like-oh, so much Ito
help in your work. Could / not copy |
.ofs your notes or revise proof some
times?"
What philosopher could have sue
cessfully resisted the volunteered
help of such an amanuensis? Not
Bernard Ralston.
1t was summer, three months later
than the date of this conversation.
Olives guardian was seeking his
ward in her own boudoir, with a
gloom upon his face and depression
of soul which defied his analysis. He
had message to convey and pro-
pesal to informally submit, which he
had little doubt would be accepted.
Oswald Harbury, the young owner of
half Cleethorpe had asked permission
to lay himself and his fortunes at Oh
ives feet. He loved her, he said
he would do his best to make her
happy.
"And | believe that he will. He
has a home to offer you and is a true
hearted honorable gentleman. AS
your guardian, Olive, am bound to
give my sanction to so fair and prom
ising suit. May / bid Mr.. Har
bury to come and plead his own
cause?"
He had spoken hoarsely and in
queer far-off kind of voice that he
hardly recognized as his own. 1t
was surely singular and must testify
to an unsuspected weakness of char
acter, that the prospect of separation
from the ward originally received
with so much doubt and dread should
thus make havoc of his peace. He
waited for the answer in suspense
that was positively harassing. At
last it came.
"No you may not" Olive said,
unless, indeed, you wish to get rid of
me-to send me away. And not even
then, for / cannot consent to marry
a man whom / do not love-"
Send Olive away! Was not every
pulse in his body beating with fierce,
unbidden joy at the verdict she had
given? The measure of his recent
terror was the measure of his present
relief.
"That is fear which my ward
my wayward ward +! never need har-
bor," he said with slow, broad smile
"she has brought too much sunshine
into my lonely life for me to wish to
lose her. But change is inevitable
some day."
"Why?" a low voice murmured
and again came the mysterious illu-
mination of Olives eyes.
Because, Olive-if for no other
reason-the years of my guardian
ship will soon be at an end" he ans
wered steadily, almost sternly. He
must face the future resolutely, as
befitted teacher of his fellows.
And few seconds later his quick
nervous step was echoing in the pass
age without.
) An early summer vacation il
Standardization the glorious AL
, pine flora should be at it's loyeliest-
had been the cherished dream o1
years of Bernard Ralston, and it wa:
realized. A woman's hand had guild
| ed his steps lhitherward. Olive Pow
i. er had persuaded him to lay aside
his work and make playtime of The
, sunny weather.
, "You can finish your book OF
vanity as a Force in Human AT
, fairs, when you return, and the crit
les will all say that the last chapters
are the brightest" she said pleading
, ly. And when she added a sligh
involuntary expression of her owr
eagerness for the change, he surren
dered. The trio-Miss Ralston
. Bernard's sister and housekeeper
was Olives chaperon-had now beer
from England fortnight.
They had reached the Riffel ant
were thus encamped under shadow OF
: the majestic (grim and uncouth, fol
variations of epithets) Matterhorn it
self. Here Olive went into ecstasies
To watch the sunrise battle the rug
ged, furrowed sides with waves of Ii.
quid light, was an occupation oi
which she never tired. And then
there was the Corner Graf to visit, the
Corner Glacier to see.
At the hotel there was a pleasant
company, including a couple OF
young Americans, who swept the or
dinarilY reserved and cautious stu
dent forward into a participation in
their own recklass adventures by the