Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1897-10-30

mouth indicated greater firmness and
the will which was so necessary in the
encounters between the two. He was
the only one who did not give up to
Miss Emily, who sometimes thwarted
her, but always so gently, so tenderly,
yet withal SO firmly, that think here
in lay the very secret of his charm.
There was no regular engagement be.
tween them, but it was an understand
ing for all that, although half the
young gentlemen in the county were
contestants for the prize, but, save
little harmless coquetry, she gave them
no encouragement.
I could but smile as l stroked her
pretty golden-brown hair, while her
head lay in my lap, at the very April
shower which was all Of grief my dar-
ling had ever known, for, ere 1 had
quite finished my few words of comfort.
applied l scarcely knew to what, she
had once more sprung to her feet, and
in a few moments l could hear her
sweet voice caroling through the halls.
Then under my window 1 heard the
imperative order to the groom: Sad
die Bess. Tom, and bring her round
at once"
''She's hardly fit to ride, miss, this
afternoon" the man respectfully ans
wered. "She's skittish at the best OF
times, and she's been so long unused
I'm most afraid she'd prove too. much
for YOU"
voices reached my ear, l saw Arthur
sam erin fho To cd
his step little as he overheard the
discussion. saying, very quietly as he
approached:
Surely, Emily, you will not be so
rash as to mount Bess to-day? You
must not think of such thing"
The girl turned haughtily toward
him, surveying him moment in sill
ence; then, as though remark were un-
necessary. turned again to the groom:
do as you are told, Tom. will
now dress"
Emily, for my sake!" heard him
say in low tone, but the contest OF
the morning in which her will had been
forced to bend made her determined
now.
You are OBTAINING me, Mr.. Traf-
ford" she answered. II shall have
DdlCiy tluc LUZ my TUE.
You must not, Emily; indeed you
must not. My uncle would not wish it.
and in his absence l must prevent it,"
The color famed like crimson rose
into the girls cheek.
How dare you'll" she exclaimed,
stamping her little foot "How dare
you speak so to me? If you have ever
considered yours the right, it is can
celed from this moment. Heaven help
| the woman you would make your wife.
She would be your slave Give her my
warmest sympathies, Mr.. Trafford;
cannot offer my congratulations
| The young mans face flushed holly
| and he shrank from the words as from
a blow, but he had no time to answer
for Miss Emily had already flown past
him into the house, and saw him turn
and walk slowly to the stables.
In few seconds more the groom
brought the prancing animal, holding
firmly to the bit while Miss Emily
| sprang lightly into the saddle. She
| seemed such very feather to manage
the spirited horse, yet could not help
the thrill of pride as watched the tiny
hands bring her into such quick sub
lection and the straight, 1.-the young
figure sitting her seat to such perfec-
ton.
| The groom stood watching her anx-
ious1y down the avenue, but 1 was not
surprised when she had once disap-
| peared from view, although greatly re-
| lieved to see Mr.. Arthur leap into the
saddle and follow her. l knew. him.
| self unseen, he had determined to keep
| her in sight, and / somehow felt safer
to know she was in his charge Cruel
as had been her words, he loved her too
| we'll to heed them at such time.
| The afternoon slowly passed away.
What was 1t that caused such a shadow
Of dread to creep over my heart? Some
how I could not shake 1t off From
lime to time would steal away from
my other duties into my darling's
room, where everything so reminded
me Of her, picking up the articles she
had thrown round in her careless haste,
and when all was in order looking for
something else to do to detain me In
the spot. Yet would not acknowledge
the real extent and reason Of my I'M
easiness, even to myself, until the
sound OF horses hoofs rapidly near
ing the house suddenly lifted the load
I had unconsciously been carrying and
brought me with almost a cry OF
thanksgiving to the window. Yes, there
was my darlings blue habit flutterine
In the breeze. She had returned un-
hurt, but the excitement must have
been too great for her strength, fol-
even from where 1 stood l could but
note the deathly pallor of her face, and
fastened down to meet her.
Ere / reached her side l saw two OF
the men, in obedience to some hastily
issued commands, spring into their sad.
dies and ride rapidly down the avenue
Then in another moment Miss Emily
lay almost fainting In my arms.