The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-09-21

into the belief that l was ruined and
see what the effect would be upon
them. AS man of the world didn't
expect very much of human nature, but
L am bound to say / was hardly pre-
pared for the pitiably mean manner in
which at least ninety per cent Of my in
Inmates behaved to me after my sup
posed smash, and l was looking for
ward with some malicious enjoyment
to resuming my former status Of
wealthy man and seeing how they
would manage to crawl or wiggie back
into their old intimacy with me when
one day happened TO overhear con-
versation between two ladies Of our ac-
quaintance (once our bosom friends),
who shall be nameless, Nell, a CONVEX
sation which set me thinking of other
matters, and after due reflection ill.,
duced me to change my plans.
"You were the subject of that con-
versation, Nell, and what do you think
these matrons were saying of you, my
child? One of them remarked that she
had always thought what good spec
you would be for her eldest boy, and
that it was the cruelest of shocks to her
to find that you were merely the daugh-
ter of pauper. And the other told
her she ought to be thankful that things
had gone no further, for if the smash
had been delayed little longer then
you, Nell, might have been engaged to
her son, and there would have been a
dreadful complication. Thereupon the
lady for whose son you had been mark
ed out, my dear, was good enough to
pity you. Poor child she said, with
her plain face, she will never marry
now"
l flushed when my father told me
that and the tears started to my eyes.
L know that my looks are homely as
well as any one and it was foolish of
me to be hurt. But l could not help it..
My dear father saw, and he came round
to me and took my unattractive face
between his hands.
"Well," he said, smiling into my
fearful eyes very fondly II did not
think to wound you, little woman. The
criticisms of such contemplate crea-
lures are never worth mindng. And
if your face is not beautiful, dear with
such words was my fondly plejudiced
old father pleased to comfort meg, it is
better than beautiful. 1t is honest and
tender and true, and would not have
it different for all the world"
dried my tears and smiled and kiss
ed him. / knew the enconium was un-
deserved. But knew that my father
meant what he said, and it is a comfort
to be loved by some one 30 much that
he sees one different from what one is.
Nowadays there is no one sees me thus.
After that he said:
"Nell, my dear, when 1 overheard
these remarks which have told you it
at once set me thinking about your fu-
ture, and came to the conclusion that
you should not become "a good spec
for money hunters. Girls are easily de-.
ceived, my dear, especially when they
are just on the threshold of life, and
these scheming fellows are mighty
clever at feigning love and devotion.
No, mol You are not to he married for
your money. You are to be married for
yourself, and yourself alone. deter
mined that would see to that as far as
l could. With that end in view kept
up our semblance of poverty, Nell-I
have kept it up until this minute, and
L wish to keep it up still until the right
man comes, Nell, the man who is good
enough to appreciate and love you, the
man who shall make you truly happy.
You deserve him, Nell, you deserve tie
best husband that the world has to Of
fer" Dear, blind, foolish old father
thus to speak ofpoor commonplace nell
"And some day-some day--he will
come"
ell don't want to marry, father.u
| said, smiling, yet greatly touched by
his deep concern for my welfare. 81
have you. You are better than any
husband, dear"
"Even if were," he answered, 81
shall not live forever. Nay, Nell, |
shall not live much longer. My health
is breaking now, as can feel, and that
is why have made this money over to
you now, my child. You are TO come
with me to London to-day. You are
to have it all invested in your name.
1t is to be yours from TO- day absolutely,
and when die the estate that shall
leave will be just few thousands
nothing more, and no one will ever
guess that you have 100000 of your
own, my dear. But promise me, Nell,