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

young man naOlJually called tne COlOnel
" guardian" and the old soldiers
ward - had to undergo much badinage
from the visitors to the Beeches, the
fact of course being that there was no
real guardianship in question. The
whole mistake had arisen from the
colonel's too hasty Interpretation of the
letter by Mr.. Chevistone, senior. Yet
the veteran could not but notice that
when the subject was alluded to there
was a sort of sly smile on the young
mans lips, as if there were some secret
behind all of this that he-the colonel
was not sharer in. 1t was not long,
however, before the owner of the
Beeches was enlightened on this point.
As to Victoria Kemp and Sidney
Chevilstone, both being young, good
looking, intellectual, accomplished and
of similar tastes, what possible termina-
ton save one could there be to such an
acquaintanceship? Sidney Chevilstone
and Victoria Kemp were over head
and ears " in love with each other; and,
though no explanation had yet taken
place between them, each was con-
scious of the truth.
1t was October. The woods were one
mass of brown, purple, copper and
gold. The copse bushes bent beneath
their weight of nuts, and the pheasant
and hare revealed over their banquet of
beech mast. The gardens were ablaze
with scarlet geraniums, china asters,
chrysanthemums and few late
dahlias The air was pure and warm,
and the sky blue and without a cloud.
For day in mid-October the colonel
and Victoria had planned their last pic
mic of the year, and by permission of
the ranger it was to take place in Wind
sor great park.
Victoria Kemp understood the art of
making fete champetre 60 off well.
She possessed the tact necessary for
amusing a crowd composed of miscel
laneous elements, and people strove to
get an invitation to her outdoor gather
ing. The picnic on the tapis, however,
was to be small and select, and to con-
sist of only fifteen or sixteen very init
mate friends of the colonel and his
daughter.
For a more exquisite day than it
turned out for this, their last picnic for
the season, it would have been impossi-
BILE to wish. The whole of the party
were charmed with the success of the
undertaking.
The eating part of the business was
happily concluded; the colonel and one
or two of the older men were defying
the rheumatism by lying at full length
on the grass smoking their cigars,
while, as matter of course, the younger
members of the party had paired off
and were talking all sorts of nonsense
in couples.
Victoria Kemp and Sydney Chevil-
stone, walking in one of the beautiful
glades of the park, were at a considera-
BILE distance from their companions
but they did not appear to be aware of
the fact, or if they were, it did not
cause them any uneasiness.
They were laughingly discussing the
mysterious letter of Mr.. Chevilstone,
senior, which had introduced his son to
the household of the Kemps, and Vic
toria maintained that any one, after pc
rusing it, would have supposed that a
little boy, or at any rate great, growing
lad, was about to be inflicted on them.
Chevilstone smiled, and asked what
had been her own opinion.
"Well, l confess said Victoria.
smiling, that l fancied we were to
receive little fellow, aged perhaps
some twelve years. So persuaded was
| of it that l told the housekeeper to
get ready little room which had never
been used since the death of my
brother, and which contains cot y
here she glanced merrily at his six-foot
figure" that you could not by any pos.
sibility have used"
"Oh, oh!'' cried her amused listener
"Then how was it / found such g
charming domicile awaiting me?"
" Why, we always keep spare room
ready for any chance arrival; and OF
course the butler, when he had seen
you, had sense enough to conduct you
TO the right apartment"
" All, just so! And your father?"
" Oh, papa's idea was that we were
to be troubled with great hobbledehoy
who would eat enormously, and--and'-
" Well, Miss Kemp, and y
Victoria colored and looked little
confused.
g 1t was only some of papa's non
sense; and, unless you insist y
{" l insist" said he, mischievously
looking full into her eyes.
/" Well, then, papa thought yor
might make love to the maids"
Sydney Chevilstone frowned for {
moment, and then laughed aloud.
8 am honored, l am sure! Blu
listen, Victoria"
This was the first time he had eve
called her by her Christian name, anc
though, with instructive subtlety, sh,
knew perfectly well what was coming
and not too we'll what her reply would
be, all her woman's modesty rushed t,
her aid, and she said, as if she had onl,
then became aware of the fact
What distance we have strayeC
from our party, Mr.. Chevilstonel Ha,
we not better return?"
" Not yet, l think - he answered, il
a very tender but firm tone that she fel
powerless to resist.
However, she made one more effor
to escape hearing the very words sh,
wished to hear; so she looked at he
watch and said
Past five! We really must return
and see the sun set over Woodlands: i
is lovely estate, and almost adjoin
papa's. 1t is quite a sight to see tn,
last rays of the sun on that magnifcen
range of copper beeches.
The young man smiled curious
smile.
90 You admire Woodlands. then. Vie