Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

cu tOtbliy inexperienced. Souiu any 'hiAA0
be more depressing than the knowledge
that this latter condition must be endur-
ed with no other companion than by
pochondriacal papa, whose ailings SO
monopolized his time and attention that
a daughters happiness sunk into insig-
nifcance? Little wonder that she should
melt into tears at so undesirable pros
poet; that she should pity herself and her
lucl1less fate, and that, when fully real
izing the depths of loneliness into which
she was to be precipitated for five long,
weary months, she should jump at the
dismal conclusion that her doll was
stuffed with the most inferior variety of
sawdust, and wish with lachrymose sin
cerity that she were dead and buried and
out of this world Of sorrow. Papa might
then wish that he had been more consid-
crate. Perhaps; but at that particular
moment he was contemplatively assimi-
lating his fish, and that process admitted
of no consideration whatever beyond that
of the fish itself. So when his daughter
raised her fearful eyes to his saffron
countenance across the board she found
no signs in it of the sympathy she felt SO
much need of. What could she expect,
anyway? DR.. Nevercure had been con-
suited, and this time felt that something
desperate must be done. His patient had
persistently refused to pronounce himself
in any degree benefited by the long course
of physic which he had prescribed, and
in fact, had become an elephant upon his
professional hands; and thus, as last
resort, he had recommended an entire
change of air and perfect quiet, with a
periodical harmless dose for the sake of
appearances. Nevercure must be obeyed;
the patient himself, since it seemed to be
his delight to fancy himself an invalid,
must naturally be supposed to find
pleasure in the remedies for his suffer-
ings, and therefore evinced no regret
whatever at the leaden prospects, but,
on the contrary, made most exasper-
ating exhibition of sanity resignation,
very calling to the young lady, who
considered herself the only one really in
jured.
And when must we go?' she asked,
continuing a series of questions which
her sudden burst of tears had inter-
rupted.
Friday morning." replied Mr.. More
ley CURLY.
Friday morning! And this is Tues
day night Why. papa, p
mabel, said Friday morning. My
arrangements are made, and will not
hear another word about it."
And he didn't Mabel left the table as
soon as decorum would permit, and be-
took herself upstairs to her own sanctum
to nurse her grief in solitude.
She sat long by the open window,
bordering over her hapless lot, her chin
upon her hand, her dark eyes far away
in thought-sad thought, Judging from
their expression-the wind playing in
her light, wavy hair, her full red lips
parted slightly, showing the interest
which her theme awakened, and the
fresh bloom upon her cheeks now going,
now coming, following in some subtitle
way the quick movements of her mind.
An hour slid by, and then she started
from her revery with sudden thought.
The sadness in her eyes gave way to
mirth and twinkle of fun; the color
came faster, the lips broke into a most
roguish smile.
"I'll do it!' she whispered. II willw
she added, with convincing emphasis
and a countenance trimming over with
mischief.
1t was foolish project-a most insane
and inextusable one. 1t had, however,
the spice of romance, and it might afford
her some amusement and little excite
ment during the coming months of
misery. 1t was suggested by some de-
mon of mischief, and was all the more
attractive coming from such a source.
1t CAME about naturally enough, too,
On the morning of that same day her
particular intimate, Anna Desbrough,
and she had fallen upon the college
catalogue which Annals brother Tom
had sent for to guide him in his prepare
tory studies. The names of the students
had proved interesting reading matter,
and the two girls had speculated as to
the probable appearance of this one and
that, and had even gone so far as to
select the one whom they thought they
would prefer among those mentioned.
They had INDUCED in a vast deal of i'm
dEil4uAi'O iipIoSLlot, anu Duu InallV
thrown the book aside and returned to
more rational topics; but the recollection
of the mornings pastime had not quite
faded from Mabel's mind The name
was still fresh in her memory-Mortimer
Granville Dudley; how grand! how
musical!
IL willl' she had exclaimed, with de-
termination; and, being young lady of
her word, she hastily collected pen, ink
and paper to carry out her threat.
my DEAR Mr.. DUDLEY" she wrote
(she had hesitated long between Mr..
Dudley" and plain "Mort, with the re-
suit shown, chow long ago it seems
since those days when we were play
mates together! hardly think it prob
able, though, that you can have forgot
ten me. My position would certainly be
a very awkward one if you had. But,
remembering as do 80 well those happy
times, and particularly your juvenile
lvows OF constancy at .he moment OF our