The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-06-28


He was wealthy; indeed that hardly e1
pressed II. for be was worth 1t least
million In his ovu right, vith the pros
pect Of iaheritiog several more from bi
father. Compared With that. my lis.l'
fortune ~as . mere pittsnce. The from
door shut and looked from my window
TO make sure that my ears had not de-
ceived me. No; there be was. tall am
handsome. just such young fellow as any
woman would be proud 70 call her hus
band. Then turned TO the mirror ove'
the mAutel. What chance would IN old
house dog hove when compared with such
. splendid young mastiffS OF course, she
would accept him.
However. II We were 10 60 skating.
must put on brave face and save my mis-.
cry until afterwsrd. When entered the
drsvingroom l found Alice. wrapped in
her furs. citing in front Of the 6re gazing
= n Msatsasly. Hhs looked up - ] ap
preached her. and there was . suspicious
glistsn about her eyes A. she hastily drew
her hands across them, saying:
lyon startled me, Mr.. Graham; did
not hear you come in.
Il have been here some time" replied
"snd have to beg pardon for unintention
ally overhesring part Of your converse
tion."
Did you Oh, an sorry"
"Sursly you need not grudge an old
friend the knowledge Of your happiness, +"
l said, with some bitterness.
She looked astonished but said nothing.
MAY I congratulate you p asked.
mot yet, please" WAS the answer.
But come. Mr.. Graham, We must be oH.
or We will not have any time for skating
We started of and every minute her
spirits rose while mine sank lower, II
seemed hard hearted TO me that she shsuld
parade her happiness before my very eyes
Alice never noticed how forced my Of.
tempts at liveliness were, but laughed
and talked as I had never heard her talk
and laugh before. 1t was the last time
that | should ever have her all to myself,
and | never took my eyes of her sweet
face, drinking in her beauty, her ever
changing expression. and her glorious
eyes, now soft and sympathetic yet in an
instant trimming over with fun and
laughter -often enough at my expense.
Jim Randolph was at home when we
and would take no refusal TO bis
in vitstion to stay and dine with them.
'For the last time" said 10 myself aud
stayed. He had an engagement for the
evening. and excused himself ss soon as
dinner was over, leaving rs alone. We
,st 10 front OF the drawing room fire after
be had gone, and long and awkward
pause ensued.
"A penny ior your thoushts." said
Alice. st last.
You would not like them" was the
,urly reply.
Perhaps not, but have fancy to hear
Ehem."
They will only tire you"
"That is not for you to decide" she
and rising from her low seat
be leaned against the msntel, with her
lace in the shadow.so that could not see
I distinctly. but her voice sounded
excited. PLEASE grant my re-
luest." she added.
very we'll, ! said, "as you wish it,
hen, I was thinking Of you. Alice, l
rave loved you since the Rrst time met
'ou loved you Is never thought I could
owe. and until my love for you had bs-
ZONE so bound up in my life, that now,
vhen ! must give you up, life seems but 9
blank TO me. know WAS fool TO think
Il you. l lam too old. What have 10
'ffer YOU in comparison with the wealth,
'outh, and social standing that have been
brown Ut your feet 70 day ? Nothing
,ut my love" A sound like = suppressed
oh came from the fireplace. "You asked
ne. Alice, and l have told you. l think
would have been wiser not TO have spo'
Ten. for what good can it do ?"
What good Oh, John Oh. you
lear old goose could not you see that
owed you oil tie time ?"
"You loved me. Alice. l exclaimed.
Yes. she broke 10; "sni yet | treated
on shAmefully.' She was kneeling b.
ide me now. With her head buried on tL,
rm OF my chair. "Oh, John, Am 90
orry Can you forgive me ? began in
IN At first, because 1t provoked me TO
esr you talk Of women Is il they could be
ought by the highest bidder; and then
ould not resist teasing You about being
aps's friend, and when found that =
bet was caring more aud more for you,
determined 10 try and make you change
II those horrid theories Of yours before
yer would let you know it, Bot did
OF know you loved me so very very much
ohn. and | did not want you TO suffer.
sslly."
Ny senses seemed TO have left me. tat
here dszed by the sudden happiness
hIch Allied my heart.
Aud What l heard this afternoon"
ssped.
"You silly boy r. she cried. lifting her
lusbins face from the chair. III you had
uly waited minute longer you would
ever have doubted me for an instant
ow are you satisfed. dear 7"
There we're no more svkwsrd pAuses
,at evening. II vss late when rose To
Ike my leave Alice helped me on with
y overcoat. and caught her In my arms
she would have escaped with hurried
eood night"