The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-05-18
"And you love one another9" she

| 10y ehSJ oiO hOpf iOBiiOu lluhhl1
shut we shall make allowances. She
is clever and of studious turn of mind
| am quite commonplace, and never
happy unless in the open air. We
shall each follow our own inclinations.'
"How about travelling? know you
are a wanderer."
Irene hates it; she detests rough
ing it, in any form. AS said, we shall
each do as we think best; but perhaps,
for the sake of appearances, l shall
postpone my trip to New Zealand for a
month or two"
"New Zealand" cried Dora; chow
lovely Are you going there?"
81 had thought of it, but am afraid
1 shall have to marry first"
"Afrad2"
l laughed.
"Mrs. Kenyon has been thinking
that it is time for us to settle down.
AS you know, when Mrs. Kenyon
thinks, there is generally result. And
what is more, she has discovered a
house which an architect unconsciously
designed to meet Irene's requirements.
Chow luckyl" said Dora.
"Yes-isn't it jolly? I have to settle
within three days. This is the surprise
in store for Irene"
Dora looked ahead at the others; they
were about 200 yards in front.
when are you going to break the
news to her?"
"Some time or other. 1t does not
look as if she would welcome an inter-
ruption just now. Grierson. who is also
studious, can always provide subject
of interest to her. That is why en-
courage the acquaintance"
"You are very generous"
"Thst is hardly the word. The prn-
ciple involved is one of give and take"
! There was silence for moment or
| so.
"We really must catch up with them,"
said she at length.
Eyes, really we must" replied,
backpedalling little. "I hear that
you leave tc morrow. The reason given
was something about your father and
the hum of things believe"
eyes, father likes to see life from his
club window in Picc1dilly; it makes
him feel busy" she added, with little
laugh.
81 often think" l remarked, "what
strange piece of coincidence it was
that we should meet as we did, and then
find that we were both intimate friends
of Mrs. Kenyon"
had been out to South Africa few
months previously, and on my way
home had met the Pagets, who J d
come on board at MADEIRA.
"The dear old Dutton Castlel" she
exclaimed; "those days were the most
nleaaant have pver snentD
Eyes, they were very charming" l
assented, with half sigh; we saw a
good deal of one another during that
short voyage"
"How can one avoid it on board
ship?', she said; "and to think that
you never told me that you were en-
gsged to Irene"
at never struck me for a moment
that you were unaware of my good for
| tune."
81 knew she had become engaged in
my absence, but Mrs. Kenyon had
omitted to say to whom"
81 fancy am not very important in
Mrs. Kenyon's eyes," remarked.
Looking ahead, / noticed that Irene
and Grierson were riding very slowly.
"Unless we get off and walk" said,
81 am afraid we shall have to catch
them up.
"That has been my endeavor for
some time" said Dora. 81 shall ride
with Mr.. Grierson and leave you with
Irene"
81 am not at all sure that he wants to
ride with you"
Dora gave little toss of her head.
"Men are not supposed to act as they
wish, where ladies are concerned"
"That is evidently Mrs. Kenyon's
idea," remarked.
We Joined the others.
"YOu seemed to be somewhat inter-
ested in discussion" said to Grier.
son, $50 we decided not to worry you
with our chatter"
"Miss Fairfax and myself" he re.
piled, with a smile, "were comparing
our Impressions of book we have
both perused."
The four of us rode along slowly fol
some distance. Presently Dora, true tC
her word, gradually drew Grierson
ahead, and Irene and myself were left
few yards behind.
"Do you know, DEAR" said, with 9
glance at her, "that people are begin.
ming to think that it is time we should
be married?"
"People?"
swell, Mrs. Kenyon in particular"
A slightly troubled expression came
over her features.
"Has she said anything?" she asked
anxiously.
nodded.
~ thought we might have had an
other year," she said.
81 had hoped for it. I particularly
wished to take trip to New Iceland
before we settled down."
"Yes-it is very disappointing. /
too, had made my plans, Mr.. Grier'
sonl'-
"Does Mr.. Grierson enter into the
plans?' l interrupted with smile.
"Only so far as my literary work il
concerned" she replied.
81 like Grierson; he seems genu
inc sort of chap. But, of course, The
fact remains that he is very clever
and-well, Pm not" l finished.
"He Ia a very interesting compan
ion," she said; but tell me, what die