The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-01-31

ODt evening MHtil DTuu returned iHIB
from the Office he was conscious that
some one was following him. AS he
turned to see who his shadow was, he
was struck on the head and knocked
down. AT the same time shot or two
were fired from the opposite side of the
street. 1t was in lonely part CT the
town, but a crowd soon gathered, among
them a woman whom the men recog-
nized as the assistant editor of The indie
pendent. She seemed to have all the
common sense in the crowd In mo-
ment she dispatched one messenger for
O doctor, and another for restoratives
which she applied to the injured man.
Virginia Kingsley, sitting on the
curbstone with Brad Harper's head in
her lap, knew for the first time her
feeling toward him. What she said or
did she scarcely knew, but after Brad
had been taken to his boarding house
and she had time to think it over she
was haunted with fear that she had
said something expressive of feelings
which were more than platonic.
Miss Kingsley did not nurse Brad.
She was too busy running the paper. The
Independent suddenly became popular
when people saw the girl fighting the
battle alone. The woman's column,
the fashion notes and the poets corner
were neglected while Virginia wrestled
with the editorials. She kept up her
side in the battle with The Banner man,
and as she had her views about the as
sault upon Brad, and did not hesitate to
express them, popular favor turned
against The Banner and its head, and the
sympathy of the town was with The In
dependent and its editors. The reform
party gained the day, and its friends
did not hesitate to say that their success
was due to The Independent.
Brad was badly injured, and serious
illness was the result of the wound on
his head. He pulled through, thanks
to his good constitution and the faithful
nursing of Mrs. Smart, his landlady.
Virginia did all the work of the pa
per while Brad was i'll, but as soon as
he had sufficient strength she began
taking her editorials to him for crit
cism, and before long he was able to
dictate to her. 1t was on one of these
instances, when Virginia's pencil was
running at its fastest and Brad was die
tating an editorial ON the silver ques-
ton, that he stopped and laid his hand
ON hers. wait, he said.
Miss Kingsley held her pencil poised
over the paper, thinking that he wished
to make some correction.
Kingsley, you kissed me the night
was hurt"
She turned deadly pale. Don "
she said. "Oh, don't remember that. I"
But can t forget it. You kissed
me and called me Brad, darling did
not hear any more, for l became IN
conscious. Now, l should like to know
what such demonstration meant. You
cannot sharpen that pencil; your hands
are trembling. Give me the knife. +"
Brad went on talking in steady voice,
meanwhile cutting dainty shavings
from the pencil. "The pencil was
sharp enough if you had let it alone. If
you were any one else, should say you
are nervous.
But to return to that night that you
kissed me. You and l We're getting
along on purely platonic principles, as
l supposed. We were pards, in the YER
nacular Of this wild and woolly west,
but l never heard of a partner who
would hold mans head in his lap,
kiss him and call him Brad darling. ,
Of course this platonic business is play
ed out; you can nee that as well as |.
The question is, What is to be done
about it?''
Through this long speech Miss Kings
ley had been trying to find her voice,
and as Brad paused for a reply she said
hoarsely:
II intend to tell you. Mr.. Harper,
that | shall leave Smoky City as soon as
you are able to take the helm again"
Brad felt the tears rush to his eye.
Brute" he called himself, under his
breath, but even then he could not re-
sist teasing Miss Kingsley;
Don't call me Mr.. Harper. Can't
you think of something more tenderl
much prefer Brad, darling.''
He threw down the pencil and knife
and tried to take Miss Kingsley's hand,
but it was snatched away from him.
II think it is my turn now. Virginia
let me think of something less formal
Virginia, darling, you are not going
away if | have influence with you"
Miss Kingsley rose and gathered up
the papers. Il will take these edito-
rails and send over for the others. Mr..
Harper, | did as you say did the night
you were hurt; do not attempt to deny
T. am sorry that had no more self
control. l am surprised, though, that
you find SO much amusement in throw
ing my folly in my face"
Brad s face was very grave as he an
swered. II am a brute. Virginia
Kingsley almost said Harper-I love
you. | should have said so like man
at first, but was sure that you knew my
feeling for you, and l did enjoy teas
ing you a little. Forgive me! am 60
ing to marry you as soon as am well,
If you will have me.
You say this because you are sorry
for me. You think love you because
/ acted so that night, and you are try
ing to sacrifice yourself to my self re.
spect.