The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-03-17

alInOuBn nave always SalQ, even lrOm
girl, that would never marry min
ister For my part believe that is the
way half of them get wives anyhow. 1t
is absurd to suppose that women care
for them as much as is commonly made
out, but they can't help themselves
There isn't a single earthly objection
that can be raised, and so they are just
hurried on to their fate in spite of all
they can do"
The girl was almost crying, and my
own heart was in whirl. Too late l
saw the injustice which / had been do
ing to both her and myself. And l
now fastened to right it as best I could.
Going up to her l took her hand, and
there was something in the low tone of
my voice which made her shudder.
You must not speak TO me further of
this matter, my dear friend. too am
a minister, and you must forgive me if
seem to have been trifing."
With sudden pallor of resentment
she drew away from me. You, you a
clergyman l will take back what l
said. You are not so faultless, after
all. l think one might even marry
minister nowl'
tried in vain to speak, but it was use
less to attempt a vindication of my
course. She had burst into tears and ]
was left to myself.
{" 1t was really objectionable in you,"
said Mrs. Marchant at the tea-table
"To have known who you were would
have added so much to the pleasure of
doing for you"
"But can you blame me if 1 found
your kindness grateful because i knew
it was rendered to me, and not to my
official capacity? If you shared our
experience, you would understand the
refreshment there is to one of my pro-
fession in being met on common human
ground"
This was really directed to Miss Pres
colt quite as much as to her aunt, but
she gave no sign of recognition. Her
manner on the next morning, however.
had become more friendly, as she said,
III reply to my further expressions of
penitence, =" don't think have a very
forgiving disposition. Besides, 1 can't
see how forgiving you is to take away
my notification"
" But imagine my making my profess
sion known after l had discovered your
prejudice against it,"
lccl llldt YOU nave luSllncu IL.
~ know it. But you ought to real
ize who it was that made me cowardly.
You at least ought to forgive me-"
Perhaps | can-after you are gone.
1t will be still and-lonesome-enough
to account for almost any humiliation. :"
81 should like to call on you in your
winter home, ;" said, tentatively; "that
is, if shall be permitted"
81 shouldn't think you would dare to
after all the things you made me say"
But feel that we owe each other a
chance of putting things right"
Mrs. Marchant hustled into the room
with neatly prepared lunch for the
first days journey, and with many ex-
pressions of gratitude and hearty good
will again set out on my travels. AL
though the good lady had called out to
me in parting that this time she need
not worry about me, because had NO
brandy, yet my abstraction of mind that
morning might have led me into almost
equal danger of depression. was now
retracing a somewhat familiar way, but
how greatly everything had changed
The mellow, sober ripeness of autumn
had crept into the landscape, but there
was spring in my heart. A puzzled
eager hopefulness thrilled within me
now depressing me with the sudder
memory of her words, and then as
swiftly encouraging me with the though
:. of her friendly tone and manner. No
did the letters which / received from
Mrs. Marchant during the autumn serve
to lessen my sense of uncertainty. Fol
while they did indicate that all though
of union between Mr.. oljambe an(
|, her niece had been abandoned, the,
gave me nothing which l could inter
, pref as favorable to my own desires
Even when at last the time of m,
r promised visit had come, and l sa
, waiting for her to appear, l could no
realize that all her old, inherent dislik
would be laid aside in my favor. Thel
she stood before me, frankly smilin!
: and with outstretched hands. I" 1t wa
:, so good of you not to forget me-"
= 81 came to New York expressly t.
E see you," replied, resolved to atom
q for my past faults by transparent frank
y ness in the future.
"That was kinder still.n Her voic
:, was low and sweet, but she hastene
u TO say, elbow changed the countr
,, must look now, buried in the snow
-, L Ou ACdl lIOIll tuCtC SOlACtllhCo, w w
'. not?"
a - eyes, or perhaps should not hay
= been here. OF course the fate of MI
!. Foliambe can hardly be very encoui
= aging to me, nor do l for momer
!, forget your prejudices, but have bee
= hoping against hope"
u :, You must indeed be of very hope
- full nature, after listening to all you Il
~ me say that dreadful day."
:, 81 do not excuse its injustice"
=" said, with all the tardy severity l coul
muster.
ooh, | haven't taken it back. o
IS the whole, don't know that / have an
lie more reason for liking ministers no
l. than ever"
N " But surely indifference to certai
III of its members should not make yo
o. condemn class. Cannot you regal
he the man in the Minister"
m "You certainly were very manly c
as that dreadful night" she dreami
u murmured, the protest and resistan'
10 all gone out of her eyes, and only so
G. resignation taking their place. 8" b
l do not give up my point" she d
ed clared later, lifting her head from II
to shoulder with little toss of defianc
ld GIVE always said I wouldn't marry