St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-08-23

OF our hearts"
SO they went through, hand in
hand, because the way was rough.
AS they passed out of it baambIe
caught her dress, and he stopped
to dlsentangle it, but the folds of her
gown were electric, and his hands
trembed.
"How tiresome it !" she said Il
believe that bramble will never let
me 60"
Can you blame it," he asked,
looking up at her; and she turned
her face away. They walked on.
"a whole month";" he said, land see
ing you every day. When did such
good fortune ever before come to a
poor secretary"
"Or to humble companion? No,
don't mean that. But it has been
pleasant"
They walked in silence to the little
gate that divided the woods from
the grounds. Here they stopped,
and she said, looking at him for
moment half shyly, half proudly,
Come in; l should like you to see
the garden. All the smart people are
coming tomorrow, to keep the heir
ess's birthday"
He hesitated, and she laughed.
"Oh, we needn't 60 in sight of the
house. the grounds are big
enough"
He flushed ard stammered in
wordless denial of the thought she
had read in him that his being seen
with the companion might compro
mise her, and together they walked
under the arching trees to the old
lawn where the sundial stands.
This is where the tenants dance,
believe" she said; land all the
grand people dance with cottager
folks, which seems to me rather silly,
for [ am sure each would rather
dance by themselves, Lord Halibut
is coming. Will you be here?'
Il shall certainly come it Lord
Halibut does. May | dance with
your
She laughed. II don't think you
know what dancing on turf is like.
Besides, probably our steps don't
suit"
Let us try now he said.
He laid his arm on her waist. The
next moment her hand was on his |
arm and they were whirling down
the lawn toward the sundial.
What foolish people we are"
She exclaimed breathessly, and half
moved to pause. But his arm held
her closer, and they Waited to the
end of the lawn, past the sundial,
and into the shade OF the great cop
per beech; and there, before she had
time to move her hand from his arm,
both his arms were around her and |
he was raining kisses on her soft,
flushed cheek She shrank a little,
and then laid her face softly against
his, and put her arm up to his neck.
"Ahw be said, THE wish is
granted. have my hearts desire.
And u she whispered softly.
"You do love me, don't you ?"
She clasped her hands behind his
neck, and hung back, looking at him
at arms length, with half ashamed,
half laughing eyes.
"Oh yes, love, you Lord Halibut,"
she said.
He put his hands up and laid them
upon hers. Then you know ?"
She laughed again. II have
known all the time, Your handker-
chief, at least was not ashamed of
your name"
Not one thought that was traitor
to his love for her stirred in him at
her confession. Lord Halibut knew
true love when he saw it.
"Why did you deceive me?" she
asked.
Oh! the landscape-painter idea,
he said. "Tne Lord of
Burleigh and that sort of thing"
She laughed once more. THE
worst of it is" she said, that have
a VOW in heaven never to marry
Lord Halibut."
"Surely Lord Halibut can absolve
you from that, if any one can!"
II am glad you think so, for you
nave a vow-somewhere or other
not to marry Miss Verinder, and
you, too, will need absolution.
Take it from me-