Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-06-08

On he cage OF JdNing torrent
Me hills, Baxter felt himself irreSistihly
arged TO make a declaration. The thunder
1ns noise of the cataract covered all vocal
.Gterance; so, taking out his sketch book, he
wrote three short words on blank leaf He
handed her the book She read his
message with a beautiful change of color and
a single rapid glance at NJ face She then
FOre out the leaf
Don't tear it upl" cried the young man
She understood him by tho movement of
ois tips and shook her head with smile.
But she stopped, picked up little stone, and
wrapping it in the bit of paper, prepared to
ioss it into the torrent.
Baxter uncertain, put ont his hand to take
4 from her She passed it into the other
band and gave him the oneAle had attempted
70 take
She threw away the paper hut she let him
MIN keep her hand
Baxter had still week 10 MS disposal. and
dafim made it worry happy one Mrs.
penhgh was tired they had come to a halt,
and there was no Interruption to their being
'Ogether They talked great deal of the
ong future, which, on getting beyond the
sound Of the cataract, they had expedtiously
greed TO pursue in common
- was their misfortune both 10 Ike poor
toy determined, in view Of this circun-
'tancn, TO say nothing of their engagement
Intu Baxter, by dtnt of hard work, should
nave at least quadrupied his income This
7as cruel. but IL was imperative, and Marian
'nahe ITO complaint lior residence in Europe
'ad ENLARGED her conception of the ma
'erai nceGs Of pretty woman, and
was quite natural that she should
1ot, close npon the heels of this experience
1esire ro rash into marriage with poor
artist, Al the end of some days Baxter
'tarteo for Germany and Holland, portions
# which be wished to visit for purposes OF
study. Mrs Denbigh aud her young friend
epaircd to Paris for tho winter Here in
he middle Of February, they were reioned
10y Baxter, who had achieved his German
Iour lie had received, while absent, five
title letters from Marian, full of affection
he number was small, but the young man
detected in the very temperance of his mis-
ress a certain delicious flavor of implicit
"onstancy, She received him with all tho
irankness and sweetness that he had a right
q expect, and listened with great interest tC
ais account of the Improvement in his pros
4ects. lie had sold three of his Italian pict
tres and had made an invaluable collection
# sketches. He was on the high road tc
"eeItI Dlld tame, ana there was no reason
heir engagement should not be announced
But TO this latter proposition Marian de
nurred-demurred so strongly, and yet OF
grounds so arbitrary, that somewhat pain
III scene onsued. Stephen loft her, rritateC
and perpeNed. The next day when he called
ihe was unwcll and unable TO see him: ant
he next and the next. On the evening OF
lhe day that he had made his third fiutles.
all at Mrs. Danbigh's, he overheard Mariana
name mentioned at a large party. The in
.orlocutors were two elderly women. On
giving his attention to their talk, which They
we're taking no pains to keep private, hc
'Ound that bis mistress was under accusal Of
having trifled with the Affections of an un
happy young man, the only son Of one of tn,
aides. There was apparently no lack of evi
ience or of facts which might be construed
az evidence Baxter went home, Ia mort dan,
Fame, and ON the following day callol agar
IA Mrs, Denbigh, Marian was still in hcl
Dom, but tie former lady received him
Stephen was in great trouble, but his mind
was lucid, and he addressed himself to the
task of interrogatinR his hostess. Mrs. Den
high with her habitual incidence, had re