The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-01-19

The croaking frogs and the chirping
crickets added their chorus TO the MUIR
murs Of the flowing waters, while the
leaves were whispering to themselves
come unheard secret. The moon came
bouncing over the Green Mountains as
II she would fall into the lovers lap.
1t was an hour when nature is full of
msgpetisms. The lovers yielded to
the magic enchantment of the evening,
and sat in the carriage with arms
around each other. The horse was the
only one who was Indifferent to the
witchery of the night. As few clouds
rolled past the moon, pale ships of air
going to Alaska" "Going whereof
Alaska" Charlie said. Somehow the
words did not sadden Lucy very much,
why, she could not tell. 81 am tired
of the slow ways here in Vermont, and
think that can make fortune quick
ly in Alaska. Fred Meade urges me to
come. He has done we'll in short
time. l shall start for Circle City in
few days." The clouds passed off the
moon as he spoke, and food tide of
silver shimmered over the trees and
hills, "Oh Charliel" said Lucy, show
can YOU leave me?" There was not
near 30 much pathos in her voice as she
intended. Down in her heart she did
not regret his going 30 much as she
would have it appear. She had to seem
sorry. She acted her part well. She
may not have known that she was act
ing a part, such natures as hers do not
realize their own inconsistencies. 81
believe can soon make enough for
you and me. 1 certainly will not lose
anything" Charlie replied. ~ have
arranged to let the business continue as
it has been. If do not succeed / will
return soon and resume my old posi-
tion."
"What will do in the meantimeP"
she asked. "Whyl wait for me, of
COURSE" said Charlie, as if it were a
foregone conclusion that nothing else
could be expected.
They soon returned to the Markham
mansion. Lucy alighted from the car
riage, Charlie kissed her good night,
touched up the horse, and disappeared
around curve in the road.
ting up his affairs, and then he started
for the land of ice and snow, abode of
the Silent City of the mountains, and
the treasure house of gold.
On the evening of the day he left,
Lucy sat once more by the window,
thinking. Strange questions were in
her mind. "Will 1 ever marry him?"
she asked herself She did not answer
her own question. There was no deep
sorrow in her heart at the departure oil
the one to whom she had betrothed
herself. Why did she not grieve that
Charlie was flying fast from her on the
express to the Pacific coast? She tool
the solitaire from her finger and looked
at it thoughtfully. The light from the
setting sun touched it and it emitted 9
pale green hue. She replaced it on hel
finger; but there was no JOY in doing
80. "Why am l 30 Indifferent about
this ring?" she asked herself. dc
not care whether l wear it or not"
The crouching lion on the mountains
lifted his head and stood boldly erect
The sinking sun had again moved him
Lucy noticed the movement. 81 dis
like that lion," she said, withdrawing
from the window, as the setting sur
brought out in bold relief the outlineI
of his figure.
Just then the door bell rang. "That'l
Frank" she said quickly. She glanced
into the mirror, took off her solitaire
and went to meet him. Her greeting
was more subdued than with Charlie
She opened the doors to the parlors
He entered. A handsome man with
auburn hair. His mustache was the
same color. He was larger, stronger
more portly than Charlie, and perhapl
two years older. The evening spec
away, music, cards, the conversation
made the time fly rapidly. As the day.
went by, and weeks became mouths
and the months changed to O year
Frank WhitmOre was constant visitor
to the Markham home. In far away
Alaska, Charlie Langford was washing
out gold on the YOukon, dreaming O
the fair young face among the Greer
Mountains of Vermont, counting the
days when he should return and max,
her his bride. But Whitmore was no
daunted by the engagement which wal
the town talk for while. To in
"faint heart never won fair lady" wal
to be the working proverb.
He determined to win her. His
wealth was that on which he felt Ger
tain of victory. He saw that the sol
taire was absent from her finger mos
OF the time. That he considered for
tunate for him. He studied CAREFUL,
how he could attract the beautiful girl
One September evening, when riding
with Lucy through the same woods
where Charlie used 70 take his favorits
drive, he said:
Lucy, 1 have always loved you
will you not give up Charlie for me9'
He drew her close TO him and held hel
fast as he asked the question. She
smiled sweetly, but gave no answer
He drew her closer and asked again the
same question, saying I" have an hon
0red name, a home, fortune, sufficien,
for you and me. Charlie will have t.
get all these. 1t is only chance
whether he will ever make anything In
Alaska. Should he return no richer
you do not want to become q pool
mans wife, do your"
She hesitated still.