Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-11-14
Her Promise.

Old Abner Marsden moved uneasily
ia his big armchair. "Seems to me
Luce is mighty long time getting
that water" he muttered as he rose
and hobbled to the end of the cottage
porch. He put aside the vines that
screened the view and looked down
toward the lower end of the garden,
where a cool spring gurgled up from
the earth. "Well, if she amt talkin'
agin' with that pauper, Ang How
land" growled the old man. s'Luce!
Say, Luce, l want you'll" he called.
ffI'll be there IN a minute, father"
called back comely girl of eighteen,
who stood near the spring chatting
with plainly dressed youth of about
the same age. She reached for the
pail Of water which Angus Rowland
still held in his hand and said, with a
smile: II must go, Ang. Father
wants me-"
SIT seems to me, Luce" said Angus
as he gave her the pail, ''that your ia
Gher always wants you when he sees
me around. He hates me for some
reason, but Il it's all right with you I
can stand it,"
Lucia looked troubled as she said,
S'Goodby, Ang," and turned toward
the house.
Old Marsden was an extremely il
li6erate man, but in business ventures
he had always been successful, and
now, though a confirmed invalid, his
head was full Of schemes and devices,
and ne used to sit for hours at time
planning measures by which his hoard
of wealth might be increased. Lucia
took after her mother, who had been
ga powerful good woman" so people
said.
''Luce," said the old man as she ap
peared at the door, 1T want this to be
the last of your talking with that good
for nothing lout, Ang Rowland. The
idea Of likely girl like you talking
friendly with such trash! I won't have
it, and if he don't steer clear I'll give
him something to remember me by"
and the old man shook his cane vigor-
ously.
''I do not see why you should dis
like him so,' said Lucia. HE has had
a hard time getting along, but that
isn't his fault"
t'His father was cut out to die in the
poorhouse," yelled the old man, ''and
why didn't ne die there?"
Because" Lucia answered, Gang
worked hard and took care of the old
folks"
Her father scowled. cold Rowland
was intended for the poorhouse, and
no good comes of fightin' Providence.
He died without cent, and so will the
young Teller But that amt the point:
there are plenty Of fellers round here
that has money, but there amt many
sech gals as You be, I reckon. Why,
Luce, you have a choice of the town,
and it's your solemn duty not to be
rasa.'' The miserly features of the
old man relaxed somewhat as he adj
Tnired his daughters comely face. He
experienced a kind of fatherly affec
ton for her, and was even willing to
SBOGQ DIOHSy IIOOAS tLetO BIC L1iSuU
make good appearance. Whenever
he saw her dressed in some new arti-
Gle of apparel he would mutter to him
self, cts ali right; it will all come
back; know a good investment, for
have made a good many-yes, a good
many"
4 few evenings after the event
above mentioned Lucia was walking
III the garden when she heard some
one tap lightly at the gate, and in the
moonlight saw Angus Rowland. 'tHe
wants to see me-" she thought as she
hurried on through the lilacs to
the garden path. ''Father will miss
me if I am gone long," said Lucia on
approaching, 'sbut we can visit for a.
minute"
Luce said Angus, ''I have come
to say goodby. Your father says for
me to keep away from you because I
am poor and he doesn't want you to
marry pauper. Well, I am going
away for FIVE years, and when I come
back IN be rich-rich enough to suit
your father,n he exclaimed excitedly,
striking the fence a heavy blow with
his fist.
II don't care about your being SO
rich,' said Lucia. "I'l like you just