Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-07-12

He was called to preach in the lit
tie stone church at Bayside, and she
sang in the choir. That was the be-
ginning OF it. AS to how it would end,
people held various opinions, altho'
on one point they all agreed. He
was sure to fall in love with her. 1t
had so long been the fashion for ev-
erybody to adore the beautiful Miss
Sturtevant, that it was generally ac-
cepted as fact that no masculine
heart could resist her destinations.
For ten years. nearly all the mar
riageable young men at Bayside had
in turn laid their hearts at her feet,
and gone through brief season of
mad despair, as she refused them,
and then married elsewhere, and
learned as the years went by to look
into her lovely eyes with indifference.
All but one. There was one dark
spot in Violet Sturtevant's life of
which she did not love to think. Sgd
ney Kent had seemed to her only a
boy, pleasant to have for devoted
slave, and although she knew he was
madly in love with her, she kept him
at her side for months, and when at
last she could no longer keep back
her declaration of his feelings, she
made light of his love; called it boy
lsh passion, and when he vowed to
end his life, she only laughed and
gave him year to forget her. But
the boy was insane with grief, and
within an hour from the time he left
her side, died by his own hand. This
was more of shock to her than she
cared to own. She had been cruel
and unfeeling, but all through tho't-
lessness. Her pride, however, was
great, and she gave no sign of sor-
row or repentance. His widowed
mother carried his broken heart away
from Bayslde, and the sad occurrence
became thing of the past.
The shadow of it never left Violet S
life. Other suitors came, and it was
strange that the heart that drew all
others toward it never felt thrill of
love as the old, old story was repeat
edly whispered to her. She enjoyed
her power over them. She could not
live without trying to win every
heart thrown in her way, but the
sweet unselfishness of true wo-
mans love was to her an enigma.
The year preceding the one of
which | write had been quiet one
to Violet, compared with the excite
ment of her former life. She ha6
been left alone in the world with the
exception of a maiden aunt, who haC
shared her home. Possessed of al
abundance of means and beautiful
home, there were not many girls
whose lives were so unfettered anC
free. There had been a dearth o.
young men in the village for some
time, and just as life was beginning
to seem rather tame and uninterest
ing, the young minister came ant
brought with him ripple of excite
ment into the quiet village, whicl
had not for twenty years possessed {
young unmarried clergyman.
The church bells had ceased ring
ing, and Miss Martha Sturtevant, il
her best black silk, was pacing ner
vously up and down the long veran
da, waiting for her niece. The OLE
coach that had carried three genera
tions of Sturtevants to and from di
vine service had been waiting at tn
gate for ten minutes. If there wa
one thing this amiable spinster dis
liked it was being late for church
but there was something else on he
mind that increased her nervousness
81 wonder If she will wear her new
dress? And yet, what does it matter
She will be the same. Perhaps if
could speak to her a little-I wonde
if 1 dare"
Just then light step, and turning
saw Violet standing in the doorway
1t was not the new dress-but
creamy nuns yelling, made very sim
ply, with cascades of lace around tn
white throat, and instead of ney
bonnet with it's nodding plumes
was simply white straw with cloud
of lace-no flowers, no ribbons an
vet, as Miss Martha looked she wish
ed she had worn the new dress. He
niece seemed to read her thoughts
and laughed little defiantly, as the
seated themselves and were rapid
driven into the village.
"You are displeased, aunt, an
there is something you wish to sa
to me. Pray he quick about it. Jane
is driving rapidly"
"Not displeased, Violet, said Aun
, Martha, gently; ''but there is some
thing l wished to say. | pray yo
E have some respect for this youn
l mans sacred calling. Do not try t
4 gain his love only to throw it away.
''You mean the minister, l sup
pose. Any one to hear you woul
think l possessed an evil eye. Wha
f if he falls in love? | can help it
His sacred calling will help him t
bear his disappointment. if it is 10 b
) that. Aunt Martha" she cried, pas
sionately, shave l no heart, ! won
der? Perhaps my hero has come il
the shape of this paragon.
H. ha,>