The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-03-30


haps. But If succeed in this under
taking, Lila, there will be an end to all
this weary waiting, and we can be mar
ried at oncel"
"Humphl" she said, saucily. cit
takes two to make bargain"
"Yes-but we two are onel Don't
trife with me, Lila. l can't bear it.
This hope lies too near my heart"
81 did not mean to trifle, John"
81 don't think you ever mean to hurt
me-" he said, gravely; "but some
times you do. 1 know 1 am jealous,
Lila, but l can't help it. 1t is all in
vain that strive against it, and when
l think of that fellow, Harrington, L
it makes me wretchedp
"But what can 1 do John? l can't
insult the man by telling him he can't
walk with me-"
your woman's wit will serve you,
Lila. | never saw girl yet that
saw fit"
but suppose don't want to get rid
of him?"
"Lilai"
"Well, John9 1 think you might
trust me more"
81 do trust you. But 1 tell you it
makes me unhappy to see you with
that fellow, and think that ought to
be sufficient"
II suppose 1 might go home the
back way" she said, musingly.
"If you did several times, he would
soon see that you were trying to avoid
him."
"But, John, the back way is horrid"
He took her pretty, perverse little
face between his hands, and lifted it so
that he could look right down into her
eyes.
Darling" he said, softly, edo it just
to please me-"
"Well, l will But you're a perfect
tyrant, John Cunninghamr'
"And you are an ANGEL" he cried,
rapturously. ella, you shall never
regret the little things you do to please
me. They make me love you all the
more"
John went to Washington the follow
ing morning. Two weeks dragged
themselves away, and then something
unexpected happened to shorten his
sojourn in Washington. His purpose
was accomplished with less difficulty
than be had anticipated, and in full
realization of bis fond hopes, he hur-
ried back to Lila.
He had not written her, because be
wanted to take her by surprise, and she
never dreamed of his coming.
1t was rather late one evening when
he ran up the steps and pulled the bell.
There was bright light in the par
Tor, and John leaned over to peep
through the lace curtains into the
room.
"Pshawl" he exclaimed, with much
vexation as he saw gentleman sitting
with his back toward the window.
"There's somebody there I'll go right
on up to the sitting-room."
The door was opened by little COL
ored girl, who was the only servant
that the Weirs kept.
"Hush-sh!" John said, warningly,
as he stepped into the ball. "Don't tell
any one am here, Katie"
The little girl retired under cover of
broad grin.
81 wonder who is in therel' John
said, rehectively, as he stepped up to
the hat-rack to identify the hat and
overcoat that was hanging there.
There was cane with beaten
silver head lying across the top of the
rack, and under it brown overcost
hanging beside Derby hat.
Johns face changed its expression,
as he took down the hat, and saw inside
of it an embroidered band marked, ct.
w. F."
"Thorndyck Farringtonl" he NUT
tered, with quick resentment, and Just
then he heard Lila's voice raised to
key somewhat higher than ordinary.
"John is 30 fearfully jealousl" she
said. 81 don't know what to do with
him"
''Why do you put up with it?" was
bear to see you subject to the will of
such man, darling. 1 wish you would
let me put stop to it!''
81 am going to write to him myself"
said Lila. 81 can't stand it any longer.
l have fully made up my mind to break
off our engagement.
John heard this; but he heard no
more. The floor seemed to heave like
the waves Of the ocean; the light in the
hall grew suddenly dim, and he gasped
for breath.
His first instinct was to get out of
the house. He staggered toward the
door, and down the steps, like drunken
man.
"What was that?" Lila exclaimed,
as she heard the front door bang.
She started up and peeped out into
the hall, but no one was visible.
81 guess it was the wind" she OBJ
served, as she went back to her seat;
and Johns brief visit was not discov-
cred.
But the next day there came to her
a note, saying:
take this opportunity OF releasing you
from an engagement which has grown irk-
some to you. You are free to favor whom
you will, Mr.. Thorndyck Harrington not
excepted. May you have more happiness
than you deserve! 1 do not fancy the role
Of hoodwinked husband. Thank heaven
found you out before it was too late.
JOHN CUNNINGHAM.
In the afternoon John was sitting in
| hiR Offica TRYING In noka IN b;a -; ., 4