The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-08-02

ub C0lU eyes grew Will
grief, stricken with wonder.
Else hears tell right smart heap
bout Wash'n'ton, Missile; Marse Arun-
del-the old Marse Cunnel-he was
Elected, an he went to Wash'n'ton.
Dey sairynaded i'm, the night afore he
started" Tony uttered the long word
with slow carefulness. 60 Missile, dat
'ar was mighty fine musicl De musi-
cianers, dey all stood in row, an de ole
Marse Cunnel, he come out an talk to
'em. Den he say: Gennulemen, low
me to offah some 'freshments? Den
he sent our plates an glasses, an poun'
cake an wine. You suah its's fahder
off n Wash'n'ton, Missie?"
Very sure, Tony"
"An' you couldn't no ways take me
along, Missie2"
The intensity of eagerness in his face
was more than Felicie could bear.
80 Tony, | wish | could But /
can't-oh! / can't!"
Tony threw himself at her feet in an
agony of self reproach.
"Don' yo' fret, Missile Feeese; do
N hucccm say SIGH a Ting. I'd ort
to had my haid broke-dat l had Co'se
yo' can'lw
Felicie controlled herself with a
strong effort.
But | love you, Tony You are
my friend--my little brother. l am
going too far away TO write you a letter,
or send you any word; but sometime,
Iony-sometime, if you are good, you
shall come to me. l cannot tell when
| must 90. l am waiting to be sent
for. 1t may be in the morning, or at
noon, or at night but it will be soon, L
think. Try not to feel so badly, Tony.
Keep saying over to yourself, Miss
Felicie remembers me-she loves me.
| am to be good and go to her,"
Felicie was tired that night, and Mrs.
Severance was near giving up Mrs.
Drayton's open-air musicale. Felicie,
however, was 80 distressed at thought
of the sacrifice-Ohe moon was full and
the evening divine), that she yielded
at last, charging Rosalie to especial
watchfulness. She had not been long
gone, when low knock sounded upon
the door of the chamber, which opened
upon one of the cosy galleries over
hanging the old-fashioned court yard.
Resale went to answer it, and recog-
nized Tony standing upon the threshold,
with three other small figures vague in
the shadow behind him.
"Ifyo' please, we's come to sairynade
Missile Feleese."
"What?" said Resale, in perplexed
whisper.
Rosalie," called Felicie's voice
family sweet from her couch beside the
open window, 81 understand. Come
here, Tony, dear-stand where can
see YOU"
There was suppressed giggle, and a
slight wavering of the dusky retinue.
Here, yo' Luce, quit laffin'" ex-
horted Tony under his breath. dom
yo' hear Missile Feleese? Jake Bill,
I'll take my ole banjo fun yo', if yo' ac'
dat way,-'deed L will! Come along,
Bobbett, like liz gemmleman! STAN
straight, chil'en, an sing out right
smartr'
A few low, sweet chords vibrated
upon the moonlit air, heavy with the
fragrance of clambering roses.
"Oh, Jordan's riber Use bound to cross"
sang Tony; and Luce, jake Bill, and
little Bobbett swelled the chorus
Come old, come young, come rich, come
have no time to tarry."
There was a short interude, and
again the clear voices Blended in
"Gwine to ride up in the chariot,
Sooner in the mawnin'."
" Children" said Felicie from her
window, it is a lovely serenade.
thank you all. l shall remember it
always. Resale, bring the box of bon
bons from home. Let Tony divide
them"
"All, mademoiselle?"
Yes, all. Then Tony may sing,
Swing, now, sweet chariot and you
may take away the lamp and leave me
alone, for should like to sleep"
An hour later Mrs. Severance floated
in like shimmering cloud in her white
opera cloak.
is Miss Felicie sleeping?"
g / believe so. She babe me take the
light"
81 must see if she is covered. The
night dew is heavy"
Mrs. Severance went softly in. Fe-
licie lay still. Her white hand had
slipped from the couch-her mother
lifted it gently. Suddenly she uttered
a sharp cry.
"Rosaliel Quick-the light o Ro-
salie!"
A group OF negro women stood talk
ing together in the servants quarter in
the early morning.
$50 de pore young miss is gone"
said one.
Tony, coming leisurely around cor
ner, heard the words, and was smitten
with great fear. He came near and
clutched the skirt of the woman who
had spoken.
"Who's GAVIN, An Judy?"
The old creature looked at him pitt
fully.
Laws, chilel hain't nobody tole
yo? It's yer Missile Felicie."
Tony uttered no sound, but turning,
fled, not once looking back. A mile
away clustered thicket of dwarf oaks
well nigh impenetrable to unfamiliar
feet, which had been the boys refuge
after many beating from Big
Ellen's" heavy hand. He twisted his
little dark body in and out among the
knotted trunks, and threw himself face
] / A.