The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-04-05

subdued them before the end of the
term"
He went on re6ectively and in an in.
different tone, as if he were talking OF
some one else:
"There was another pupil, though,
who gave me more trouble than any OF
them and whom never fully conquered
What little flirt you were anyway,
Leahl'
"You know l never was that" she
said, gravely.
"Well, no; to do you justice, you
wern't. | believe you really thought
you were in earnest for while. Yes,
I'll do you the justice to think you de-
ceived yourself as well as me-"
His tone was more serious now, and
he glanced furtively at Leah to see how
she was taking his words. But she re-
NAMED silent, nor could he read her
Thoughts in her face.
" Leah" he began, abruptly, " wish
you would explain your action-there
at the last / never could see why-and
now, after all these years, should just
like to have it cleared up. Won't you
listen 10 my side and tell me yours?"
For few seconds she did not reply,
but stood looking eff over the hills,
where the sun was just sinking from
sight.
I" What is the ust?" she said at last.
sit is all over long ago, and we have
come to an age where we can over
look-and forgive - without eXplana-
tons. We both misunderstood and
mis- judged each other-of that | have
long been sure. Let it rest at that"
but | cannot be content with that.
l thought l had put il all out of my
life, Leah. 1t has been busy life, and
l have taken care that l should have
but little time for thought. | schooled
myself to ke ep all thought of you from
my mind, and for the most part have
succeeded. thought could go on to
the end--but now that | see you again
the years that lie between our youth
and now are as if they had never been.
Leah, l can't believe but that you care
yet, too. Let US rectify our mistakes
and end our lives as we should have
lived them-togetherW
"No, no." she said, putting out her
hands as if to push the thought away.
1t is too late. We have been learn
ing to live alone. We have each made
our own life and found certain happi-
ness in it. 1t is too late to seek a
change. What have our lives in com
mon-yours, a lawyers, busy and stu
dious, passed in a great city, and
touched on all sides by interests of
whose very existence | am ignorant;
mine, a quiet, country life, spent al
most in solitude, with cares and pleas
ures that to you would seem petty?
They would only clash if brought to-
gether."
BY some trick of fancy, Mark Hough-
ton remembered at that instant that it
was at this door they had first told their
loves. That was at sunset, too, and
not far away brown thrush was sing
ing his joyous vesper song.
/" You will thank me for what | have
said when you get back TO New York."
Leah continued, her voice trembling a
a little, but her eyes steadily looking
into his.
And in his heart he felt that she was
right-rght at least as TO the difficulty
of welding their two lives into one.
But for a little while he continued to
urge her to reconsider. She only shook
her head and said gently;
. 1t is too late. we must not add to
cur folly by making greater mistake
than that of your youth"
AT last he tui ned to go.
81 hope l shall feel one day that you
are right" he said. "Good-b by"
At that moment a brown thrush on a
tree-top near by broke out into a flood
of melody. He sang as joyously as if
all the world were young and the only
natural condition were happiness.
AT the sound Leah turned her head
with startled look of re collection. Fl
eyes met Marks.
"Iti is not too late, Leah" he erie d,
catching her hand Listenl our old
friend advises us just as he did the first
time-love and be happy! There is
time enough yet, is there not?"
And someway she could no longer
find it in her heart to say "No."-