Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-12-30

iety that renders his kind eyes melan-
choly, and makes him favorite at once
with all the gentle, elderly women
He is a fashionable looking young
man. exquisitely dressed, and is in fact,
such departure from Miss Duran S
drawing room, that he creates an inn
mense sensation, that is only to be sur
passed by the entrance of q lovely young
woman ten minutes afterward, who
sweeps up to Miss Duran with the most
charming smile in the world on her beau
tiful face.
Dear Miss Duran" she says, slipping
her little gray clad hand into that of the
astonished spinster, 1--WE have been want
ing to come and see you for such a time
-auntie and but there have been so
many other tiresome engagements. And,
after all, it is better, is it not, to leave the
best to the last?'' this with a swift glance
at Massareene that sets his heart a-beat-
ing. Even now, we could not come
together; there was some absurd crush
somewhere, and we had promised to go,
SO | told auntie wanted to see you even
more than she did; SO | packed her off to
her afternoon and / came to mine.''
Her low trainante voice, her pretty
smile, the gentle pressure of the little
hand, all won Miss DUran's heart at once.
She had met Millicent two or three
times, bit now she persuades herself that
they have been good friends for many
years. What lovely creature! How
nice of her to come to this dull old
house just to see a stupid old maidl Dear,
dear me, there were not many who would
do that
Meantime the ''lovely creature is
taking her tea from Gerald Massareenes
hands. Tea of an exquisite flavor AMI
rich with country cream, sent up spec
tally from the heart of Hampshire for
Miss Duran's Wednesdays. Tea served in
priceless old Crown Derby, before which
the modern limitations might hold down
their heads.
Sugar. asks Gerald in a society
tone; and then, considerably lower, ''my
own darling!'
En- says Miss Grey in return to this
impassioned address, with startling
promptitude that is rather dispiriting.
In truth, having got here, no matter
how, and so acknowledged to Massareene
that she has thought it worth her while
to give up for his sake one of the most
brilliant concerns of the season, she is a
little frightened, a little impatient and
yet a good deal glad.
''Millicent, says Gerald, dropping into
the chair near her, ''that you have come
at all is so much more than [ dared hope
for that I would now entreat you to let
my joy continue by being kind to me for
the short hour we may be together
His tone is very sad, in spite of the Joy
he mentions. Old Miss Duran, looking
kindly at the two young people who
have descended into her midst and cast
such Il cloud of sunshine upon the dull,
stately drawing room, reads as clearly as
though it were all in print before her
that this young mantle son of her dead
IL L. L.
the pretty, slender girl staring so sol
emily into her tea cup, and that the
pretty girl is not altogether Indifferent
about it.
tBless me. And [ hear she is to be
married to that nephew of Lucy Brands.
Well, to Judge by her face. [ should say
her heart is not in it. Poor young things!
Evidently they have entered into the bliss
full realms of love. Cupids darts have
found lodging in their tender breasts!''
Miss Duran, in spite of the
INDUCED in flights of poetic
fancy. Glow romantici How full of
pathos! That dear boy!-why, I can see
him dwindling away before my eyes.
Quite a wreck he is becoming though art
and his tailor may try to delude me.
Well, L must see what can be done. Ger
aid, my dear, do you think Miss Grey
would like to see that painting of your
that adornS the west
wall of the library? 1t is well worth
visit, | assure you, my dear Miss Grey.
Do let Gerald persuade you to look at it,
A masterpiece, l assure you. One of
Lely's brightest efforts!"
Gomez says Gerald, i'll low entreat-
ing tone.
Millicent hesitates for a moment, and
then, according to custom, is lost
ha 1iS 70 To 1oxy
upon a table near, and with a bright
smile and glance directed to her hostess
follows him out of the room.
Although his spirits have risen almost
beyond his control, Mr.. Massareene be-
HAYES himself wonderfully until the hall
is crossed and the library gained Then,
regret to say, he considerably forgets
himself. lie throws honor to the winds,
and taking Grant, B0yles fiancee in his
arms, strains her to his heart.
Darling of my hearth whispers he,
with a sigh of passionate gladness.
At Miss Grey's conduct on this occasion
am also bound to express regret. In
stead of the Indignation she should have
shown, she simply pushes him away
rom her with very lenient hand, and
laughs little.
'.Was there ever such bad boy!'' says
she, standing back from him with palm
extended to keep him off. ''Are you to-
ALLY without grace?''
''On the contrary, am filleds with it!
| have gained-you.
''Gaineds''
''Millicent, will you tell me now that /
an nothing to yOu?"
"Certainly not; you are always, as I
hope, my very good friendn'
II am not | am your lover or moth
mgr
ut is not good for woman to have
two lovers
''Can Boyle a lover? Pshawr' says
DIR. Massareene with fine contempt.
Compare hila with me, and where are
you?''
''Why here?'' says she, laughing. And
then all at on &c her gayety comes to an
end, and her face clouds. ''Alasr cries
she, ''what is to be the end of it ala"
''St. Georges, Hanover square," re-
turns he, with undiminished Courage.
Eyes; with Grant as bridegroom.
'tWith me, you mean. Sweetheart,
why can you not break all these chains
that bind you, and give yourself as your
heart directs?''
Miss Grey has subsidized into tears, and
q big chair.
''If I only dare, - sobs she from behind
her handkerchief.
At this half admission Mr.. Nassau
aene's hope rises fortyfold.
eff you dared-what then?n he asks,
kneeling beside her and possessing him.
self of one dainty hand
II might-learn-wha happiness really
means
'With me- you mean?''
ooh, Gerald!' whispers she; and then
it is all over, and she is caught to his
breast, and for a little while the world is
forgotten by both.
Being the woman, she is the first to
awake from the happy dream.
1T is madnessn' she says lifting her
head and gazing at him with fearful eyes.
Not if you will trust to me. Not if
you are sure of that you honestly love
me. Speak to me, Millicent! Why do
you turn your head away? You do love
me?''
At this she lets her gaze return to his.
Il wish I had never seen you,n she
says with trembling lips.
fThat is a hard speech, my darling!'
SIT is true, though. IF I had never
seen you, / might have been willing to
conclude this contract with Grant,. If
had never seen you, l could never
havc''-
Go on"
Loved your