Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-04-14
"My darling!'
"My belOyedI"

ana returned MS love, that every other
consideration was blotted from my mind.
"Not tonight. We will not talk Of
that tonight. Let me be happy while
/ cam" cried, pressing his arm with
feverish fondness.
"He dislikes me, then2 was sure of
it," he said quietly, but there was
scowl on his face.
"He does not know you, Roger. But
will make him give his consent. He
cannot refuse me anything"
We walked on in silence. felt stirred
and rebellious. Dearest" said |, in "A
low tone of determination, II will be
true to you whatever happens"
He stopped his head and kissed me.
eff you are as constant to me, sweet
Virginia, as | shall be to you, nothing
can separate us"
Oh, joyous words! Were they not the
very same with which had fortified my
courage scarcely Il month agoi
We parted just after midnight. Ny
aunt was sitting up for me, and burst
into the room in great excitement.
ooh, Aunt Helen, am engaged, am
engaged! am so happy!"
MY darling child.'
We wept in each others arms.
He is SO noble, aunty; SO good and
kind:'
God grant he may continue sor she
said, stroking my hair.
| gave a vent to my ecstacv in talk
While ratified on she sat drying her
eyes and looking at me with a half fond,
half uneasy expression. Now and again
she sobbed Historically. At last she ex-
claimed, "What will your father say"
I'VE will think Of that tomorrow" |
said. Il mean to be perfectly happy to-
night"
You will have to write to him Of
course"
1--WE have decided on nothing yet
ooh, Virginia, am all in futter.
What will he say? He is sure to blame
me, and heaven knows | acted for what
seemed to me the best"
1T was the best, dear Aunt Helen.
Can't you see how happy l am? When
Roger and are married you shall come
and live with US always, and have the
best room in the house; for if it hadn't
been for you might never have known
what it is to be loved by the noblest map
IN the world"
1t was long time before fell asleep.
was aroused in the morning by a knock
at my door. 1t was Aunt Helen.
Let me in she said mysteriously.
"Wel," said !, when had risen and
admitted her, what is it? What has
happened:"
Your father has just arrived, He is
down STAIRS
Father"
Yes He knows nothing, of course
| have scarcely slept wink all night,
Virginia. | feel dreadfully nervous
What will he say
| got back into bed and drew the
clothes up to my chin in an atfectation
of composure. But was overwhelmed
by the news, His opposition seemed a
much more serious consideration than
when regarded by moonlight. a visit
from him at any other time would not
have been a surprise, for he had said he
should run down to Tinker's Reach at
his first leisure moment.
Ny aunt stood at the foot of the bed,
watching my face and expecting me to
speak.
What do you mean to do about it?7
she asked.
TELL him. replied.
I Il suppose You might put it off until
you return to town, especially if You
would make up your mind to see very
little of Mr.. Dale i'll the meantime"
NO 1t is best to have it over and
done with. want it settled now and
forever" felt my COURAGE hardening.
well, heaven bless you, cnild.' she
said, kissing me. You must admit,
Virginia, tna5 | have warned you all
along that Your father was opposed TO
Mr.. Dale"
1T is not your flultin any way, Aunt
Helen. shall tell him So
She left me, and dressed deliberate-
ly. There was evidently no escape from
the situation. But upon one point |
was perfectly decided-nothiug should
induce me to give up Roger. ! was
ready to postpone our wedding for the
present, or to humor my fathers objec-
tons in any reasonable way. But re-
nounce him, never! Having arrived at
this determination | went down stairs,
My father was eating his breakfast, and
waited 7ntl he was comfortably set
tied with cigar on theso before MAX
ing my confession. Aunt Helen had
taken the precuution 10 absent herself
from the room. began bravely;
"Father, there is something | wish tc
tell you that interests me very deeply
lie removed the cigar, and looked al
me inquringly, saw he did not sus'
Pect the truth.
II am engaged to be married to Mr.
Roger Dale. Iou must not be angry
father" continued hastily. "You can
not help liking him when you know hin
better. He is worthy of me in every
way"
| ventured to look at him; he wa
smoking with quick, nervous puifs tina
betokened great excitement.
BAH! he cried presently. bah
what fool have been! | might hav,
known it would end in some such wa.