Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-09-18


before she is 81, and "a is still better"
Tt occurred to Bernard that he was
likely to spend the greater part of his
youth in the capacity of an "engaged
man. nand he did not improve in hu-
NOR thereby.
Grace was an acknowledged belle,
and for a time he was pleased at her
success. But there was a secret bit
terness underlying his pleasure, for he
saw little of his betrothed, except in
society's whirlpool. There would be
no change in this state of affairs I'M
| til their time of probation ended, and
feeling in false position, he conclud-
ed to spend the remaining year IN
| travel.
When he babe Grace goodbye he
was struck with the fact that she
looked much older than she did at the
time of their engagement. Two years
of dissipation had left their mark
upon her delicate beauty
ssBe careful, Grace, he said, "keep
some of the roses for me until I claim
YOU"
He said nothing Of her fidelity; he
was only afraid she might lose the
beauty he worshipped.
Grace was sorry to lose her lover;
she felt desolate for whole day, and
cried herself to sleep the first night.
But Bernard wrote her charming let
tiers of travel, and she soon forgot her
grief. She sent him in return the
briefest of notes, for the charming
Grace did not excel as correspon-
dent. But one glance at the porce-
lain picture he carried consoled him
for that.
GA fellow can endure weak, insipid
letters" he thought, "better than the
sight of a plain face across his table
three times a day.
Bernard loitered here and there, and
made his way back slowly. He was
in no haste to reach Chicago until
few weeks before the time appointed
for his marriage, which was to take
place in early autumn. One morning
in July he rang the bell of the MunsOn
mansion and sent up his card to the
ladies. There was a step on the carpet,
the trail of garment, and woman
entered-a woman of medium height,
with beautifully rounded figure and
a face of dazzling brilliancy. She ap-
preached Bernard and cordially ex-
tended her hand.
ssI came down to make you welcome
little less inhospital, Mr.. Norton"
she said.
s'My aunt and cousin are, unfortu-
nately at concert; they were not
aware of your return. You are quite
we'll? I do not find you as much
changed as L expected"
He looked at the charming picture
in mute wonder.
ssI beg pardOn-I-p'-he began.
Her face was ripple of smiles as
she regarded him, waiting for him to
proceed.
els it possible that [ am so changed
that you do not know me? Have three
years aged Clarice Barton SO much?"
For the first time in his life Bernard
Norton lost his composure. He sank
into a chair with an ejaculation of
wonder.
ssClarice Barton!" he cried. "Why,
it does not seem possible! When did
you return?''
''Nearly two months ago." Miss Bar
ton replied with her weIbred COM
posture, as she gracefully seated her.
SELF "My mother died in Rome last
winter; Europe was uncomfortable af-
ter that, so came back to America"
stBut you are SO changed!" Bernard
her loss.
Miss Barton smiled sadly.
''The years change us ALL" she said;
''they leave their mark.''
ooh, it is not that!'' he fastened to
say; "you look not day older than
than when I last saw you, but-par-
don my boldness- are wonderful
ly improved"
81 am like my mothers people,"
Clarice answered quietly. ssThey all
mature late; and the climate Of Italy,
where I remained most of the time,
was very beneficial to me. I hope to
return in the course of few months.o
They fell to talking of their travels,
and II O'Clock struck before Norton
thought they had been chatting
twenty minutes. At that moment the
hall door changed and steps came
toward them. He arose to his feet.
"Impossible!" he said, looking at
his watch EI can not have been here
an hour! Really"
What he would have said remained