News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1894-09-20
CHAPTER Ill.

enemy, Mr.. Summers. She spoke OF
him as 1.-THE essence of chivalry, that |
brave man., that noble creature.
She read a great deal of poetry. She |
sighed often and deeply. She wrote |
upon the margins of her books such re- |
marks as 80 like one | know" or "he |
would have done the same" whenever !
the hero did something particularly |
fine. Eventually | became convinced |
that Victorine, for the first time in her
life, was in love, and with the man from
the north who certainly was paying
her particular attention" in the most
formal manner.
We were sitting by the open fire one
evening, sister and l, when she suddenly
spoke.
"Persis," she said, you have been
such a good, considerate sister that l
would not do anything to offend you
for the world. Tell me and speak frank
ly, would you despise me if, after all
that | have said, | should permit a
northerner to aspire to my hand?'
mo, indeed, dear Victorine," l said.
81 should think you very sensible. l
know of course that you mean Mr..
Summers. Let me congratulate you.
"Oh, not yet, said Victorine. He
has said nothing to give warrant for
that. My hopes may mislead me, but
he comes here often.
Eyes, and he comes to see you, Vic
torine," said decidedly.
Il am not quite sure, " my half sister
said in low, dreamy tone. "Once or
twice when l have seen him looking at
YOU l have said: She is the object Of
his admiration. 1t is not /. You have
many charms, Persis. You are young,
and men of mature years think more OF
youth than young men do. You are
not interested, lover"
I'm Mr.. Summers? Only as pros
pective brother-in-law, / said, trying
not to laugh.
Il am glad you feel as you do, " said
Victorine ITO tell the truth, l am
deeply interested. She paused and put
her kerchief to her eyes.
THANK you for your confidence" l
said and kissed her
Then Victorine got out her embro1d-
cry, and / resolved to take run about
the garden, for | had been busy all day
over some sewing and needed the ex-
ercise. said as much to Victorine,
who answered;
Every well, only, pray, do not go
outside the gate without escort and do
wrap up. Here, put on my cloak. ="
She took it from the sofa, where it lay,
and wrapped it about me, pulling the
hood well over my head. Then away /
went, walking briskly round about the
garden several times, until at last l
paused, and folding my arms upon the
palings looked out along the road.
1t was a beautiful night. The full
moon was just setting over the distant
hills. The whippOorwill was calling
plaintively in the woods A long cared
rabbit went Looping through the grass
and sat on its launches to look back a
me, and then, as though convinced tina
I was moro dangerous than he hat
thought at first, vanished III haste.
How sweet and peaceful everything
was! l turned my gaze toward the Sum
mers residence, and at that moment tn
door opened, flood of rosy light rush
ed out, and | saw Harry and his fathe
crossing the road. They paused, Mr.
Summers spoke to his son, | saw Harr
enter the gate, and in a moment NOR
there was rustling of steps at my side
not Harry 's-it was Mr.. Summers VIII
stood there. The moon at this instan
gave her last dip below the hills, Iii
tie golden haze remained and var
ished. In the starlight, the shado7
of the trees was very deep where
stood. cannot tell what curious fee
ings crept over me-a sort of fright
though why the presence of that mos
respectable of gentlemen should hat
terrified me cannot imagine. 1t ma
have been because there was somethln
unusual in his manner. He came upo
me stealthily, yet breathlessly, and
a moment more and without warnin
he put his arm about my waist.
Il have been seeking this opportunit
for a long WHILE" he said, For once
catch you alone, for l saw your sister
shadow on the curtain just now. Rea
", believe am bashful. l ought
be past that by my age, ought l no
But | have no courage where you a
concerned. F."
All this while l had been doing n
best to escape from his arm, and nc
he took it away and folded both his ov
behind his back.
"Be free, struggling little bird, "
said. Certainly am too bold, b
perhaps before long-ahem-in fact,
90 straight to the point, must tell y
that love you; that have loved y
ever since took you in my arms a
bore you through the flames on II
night which ] can never forget whlBo
exist. | have never met any one sln
those past days when | courted nay
cellent and lamented wife, then M
Jones. My income is ample, though
am not rich. If you will share it,
you will be my wife, shall be the hi
piest man alive. / should prefer m;
ing the offer upon my Bonded kne
but the grass is damp. am no
fluent speaker, bat l trust express
emotions of my heart. My dear you
lady, do not avert your face. Let
read my answer in your splendid eye
-1here no touched my shoulder d.
cately with the tips of his fingers