Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-07-02

knew we had an appointment with mad
anne; and he talked such nonsense about
not being able to afford this and that, an /
it really took all interest out OF our spring
costumes. Beside, he actually wanted
me to stay at home this summer, and
send you and Gertrude with your aunt
Lucy-and it's Gertrude's first season
He never has a particle of considera-
tion.'
Mamma, l do not care about going
away. have hal six seasons, and, as
you say, done nothing with them. Spend
what money you nave on Gerty."
"But what will people sayf'
"Never mind people Papa is far
from well--say that am staying to take
care of him. am sure some one ought
to do it, esT ecially 4 he cannot possibly
leave the city,
Fortune was quite reoonciled to the
lot she had proposed for herself when she
saw how happy the plan made her
father.
81 have not forgot, Fortune" he said,
"what a splendid little house keeper you
made six yeats ago.
So Mrs. Wayland and her younger
daughter went to the Branch, and For
tune and her father lived together in
regular quiet fashion that was the great
est luxury to the overworkcd lawyer.
Twice Mr.. Symingtcn had called before
the ladies left, and 10th times Fortune
mis- ed him, The call seemed to have
made little impression on the family. Mrs.
Wayland said he had aged great
deal, and Gertrude said he was ugly and
cross and old.
lie asked after you, Fortune" said
Gertrude carclessly, as she was examin-
ing her new riding hat, "and mamma
told him you were absorbed in toilets at
present. So he said: 'Pray do not disturb
the young lady; l dare say she has for
gotten me.
In about two weeks Gertrude's letters
began to name Mr.. Symington very fire.
quentIy. lie and his cousin, Colonel Hill,
had called on them, and Gertrude
thought both gentlemen Every nice. "
Pretty soon every letter was full of the
two names. They were the keynote to
which all Gertrude's life seemed to be
set, and Fortune noticed that Ray Sy-
mington was the prevailing refrain.
Even Mr.. Wayland began to speculate
on the probabilities of 50 intimate an ac-
quaintance. II do not think it would
do, Fortune" he sad one evening, after
he had read and re-read a letter from his
wife. "Gerty and Symington l mean,
She is so fond of society, and he never
cared for it. 1t would not do; all the
money in the world would not make
them happy. Mr.. Symington is"
"Aere, my dear old friend. The SER
want told ME where you were, and l took
the liberty of coming without announce
ment--as I used to do"
He had taken Fortunes hand, and
stood looking in her face. Then he drew
a chair Letween father and daughter, and
sat down. He had come on business, he
said, but it would keep till next day
there WAS plenty else to talk about, and
it must have been very interesting mat
ter, for the three sat together chatting
happily until the church clocks were
striking midnight all around,
1t was about the alteration of some
property that Mr. Symington had re.
turned. There were dwelling houses to
be turned into stores, and he decided tC
stay in the city until the architect had fin.
ished the plans. 1t was very hot weather,
and the architect could not be hurried,
and Ray was in no mood to hurry HIM
So the days came and went in slow
dreamy monotony that every one seemed
perfectly happy with.
Ray generally strolled in to Mr.. Way
lands as they were taking breakfast, ano
Fortune gave him cup of coffee. He
slipped it, and talked over TIE news il
the morning newspapers. Then the two
gentlemen went down town together
and Fortune took her sewing into thu
coolest room, and found her owl
thoughts pleasant enough company unit
afternoon. Before dinner she went will
her father to drive in the Park; anC
they generally met Ray before they re
turned home. Sometimes he rode hom'
at their side, sometimes he gave his hors
to his servant and took seat beside For
!, tune in Mr. Wayland s carriage. Whel
he did so he stayed to dinner, and whel
he stayed to dinner he stayed until mid
night
They did not even talk together; h
had fallen into the habit of asking he
assent to any of his opinions by look
; which she generally answered by bright
intelligent little nod of acquiescence; ant
: when he had received this he went ol
with his argument.
/ But perhaps this silent understanding @
each other was more dangerous than words
at any rate, Fortune felt it to be so. Sh
| could not disguise from herself that Ra
Y Symington usurped more exclusively tina
t ever all her thoughts and hopes, and ye
she was forced to admit that he seeme
e UNCONSCIOUS of his power over her. Sh
4 noticed that Gertrude had never name
+ h IN since he left the Branch, and sh
] wondered what this apparent indiffel
ence could mean. 1t must be one {
o two things either Gertrude cared notl
ing at all for him, or she cared a gret
; deal.
. One morning, as she was handing Ray
: cup of coffee, he had number of letters
It his hand, and in his effort to relieve he
= speedily, he let them drop. They sea
v tered sufficiently to allow her to see tn;
It two of them were directed by Gertrude
Il There was no mistaking her small, ruI
ming, insignificant writing.
After this discovery she withdre
:, more and more from the conversation
It the gentlemen, and the bright, INTEL
C gent looks with which she had used
+, answer Rays inquiring glances we,
: more and more at fault. He saw an
felt the change, but failed to draw Il
d proper inference.
le Things had indeed come to positio
Il in which it seemed to Fortune folly
|; nurse longer asentiment which it was ev
n lnnt Rnr i al N OF th eli nhtnSt dnoirn To T.