Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-04-14

haze come 10 claim your brtdep'
"Mr. Dale will be here early next
week."
Aunt Helen shifted uneasily in her
chair. Il don't know what your father
would say TO that. He disapproves of
your intimacy with Mr. Dale"
Il know it, Aunt Helen. lie is preju-
diced against him"
"Mr. Dale is certainly very con-
slant young man." she replied.
My heart gave a bound. Her remarks
before had been rather in the form Of
criticisms than regular objections |
laid down my work with the resolve to
throw myself on her mercy.
aunt Helen, why is it that all of you
are so opposed TO Mr. Dale:'
Opposed! Wei, dear, | should hardly
call it that" said my aunt. "Your
father has an idea, believe, that Mr..
Dale is mercenary in his views. What
foundation for it he may have do not
know AS for myself, cannot say
am opposed, for | scarcely know the
young man"
My father is UNJUST" | said, with
tears in my eyes.
at may be, dear. Very likely he
would own himself that it was merely
an impression but it is only right that
he should watch over your interests care
fully.
us it watching over my interests to
cast suspicion on the motives of one Of
my best friends
1T will all come right in the end,
dear"
lie is noble and high minded. No one
shall say anything against him in my
presence" | cried ticrcely.
Nv aunt smoOtAed out the lap of her
dress rehectIvely. You are quite justi-
fled in standing up for your friend, Vir-
ginia. No one can blame you for that.
| have no doubt this young Dale is all
you describe him to be. Only" she
added, with All apologetic cough, "be
discreet. Some persons, perhaps, would
wish to be better informed before ceas-
ing to feel uneasy. believe, though, in
trusting to Z girl own instinct in these
matters; it rarely goes astray. If my
parents had followed that course,
might have been more happy,
She raised her handkerchief to hereye
to stay a tear, aud with an impulse of
gratitude and pity | vent to her and
kissed her.
Yes" she murmured, acknowledging
my sympathy with pressure of the
hand, "when was just about your age
there was a young man who was very
fond of me- and liked him. He wished
to marry me-"
And your father objected to him."
''He thought we Were too young. He
insisted upon our waiting until we had
more money. So we did, and he fell
into bad habits, and-aud we drifted
apart. 1t is a long story"
"Oh, Aunt Helen, am very sorry"
"Thank you, dear. should never
have told You except to show that
could sympathize with You. Only, AS
have said, be discreet 1t is "A serious
responsibility for me to assume. hope
You will take no decisive steps without
consulting your father, Kiss Inc, Vr-
ginia."
We embraced with feryor, and | was
sure that had gained an ally.
Mr.. Dale arrived on the expected day
and was kindly welcomed by my aunt,
who asked hI,n to stay to tea. 1t was il
superb evening, and tie proposed that we
should 90 out on the water as was the
custom at Tinker's Reach
He had been an accomplished oar in
college, and dozen strokes sent the
light boat Swimming beyond the bevy of
similar craft by which we We're sur
rounded. The sea WIS calm AS mill
pond and the moon WAS at the full. |
lay back with my face turued to the
heavens and my fingers trailing III the
cool water. Mr.. Dale roWcl on until
the lights on shore seemed mere specks.
and we could just perceive the gentle
roll of the Atlantic swell, He rested on
his oars and listened. The voices of the
others We're lost in the distance and only
the tiukle of banjo waited from afar
broke the night tranquility. 1 he water
was alive with pho,phoresceuce that
sparkled like gems around the blades.
We had neither of Us spoken since
starting. | know not what were his
thoughts. but mine We're full Of happi
ness. fclt 3 70. sure Of his love, anl
sure that h. should have mine for the
asking. And yet so perfect was my
peace that hoped he would postpone
the words that were to make Us still
nearer to each other We had talked SC
much Of love and Of its rapture and un
Beldshucss earlier in our acquaintance
that now it was come to US silence
seemed the most fitting commentary.
But he had made up his mind to speal
at once.
Virginia, | have brought you GU
here where we are alone, and where only
nature can interrupt us, to tell you tina
adore you. Let the inconstant moo
and twinkling stars laugh as they please
know that true love exists, for my sou
is full of it at this moment. Speak
dearest, and make me happy forever"
In the fullness Of my transport Mt hi
ardent words it seemed to me tina
heaven was come down to earth NJ
dreams had promised no such blessed
pacS ~ tbis Euiptlv a,,J u,ftl,, 1 ,,,,,,