The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-05-09
THEIR AWAKENING,

T HEIR friendship was not ordinary gush
| and giriish outlJuriDg. 1t had stood the
test OF time, and because there is SO much
to be said alter a long absence, twilight
shadows hlled the room L1lOle the girl had
finished tAe story o1 her new-found happi-
ness.
AS she moved across tAe room She paused
at Tie door and turned. "-.y idnce will
dine with Us this evening, 50 make yourself
beautiful, Llan No." with a decisive
shake oil her L,4utiui head, Il won't tell
you ais name, or .ay another word. We will
be late for dinner.
Judiths guest was leaning back in a
great chair that made her look absurdly
young and childish as Judith's iance en-
tered the drawing-room unannounced.
lie only knew that a pair OF darklashed,
blue-gray eyes looked steadily into his, that
a sweet, hooking mouth uttered some formal
words of greeting, that for an instant he
held the Elm, cool fingers, when he found
himself in the dining room.
The evening was not a success, and yet
it would have been hard to tell wherein the
failure lay. Judith, before retiring, in that
hour of woman's confidence, spoke 10 her
friend about it.
"You were as courteous as possible, my
dear; but felt that you did not Like Lewis"
judith" Her guest turned from the
mirror. She was brushing the pretty ten
drills of soft hair that curled SO wilifully
about her brow. "If anything went wrong
tonight it was my fault | am tired. To-
morrow | will do my best TO redeem it,"
But Judith was not content. She ques-
toned Ellington a few days later.
"Nou do not like my FRIEND" she said,
sorrowfully. "IIow can you be Indifferent
to her charm, Lewis"
81 am not" CALAMITY. miss Morrison
has a trick of lifting her brows, as you do;
and the voices are not unlike. How did l
never hear of her?'
Chat is easily explained. She has been
abroad since we graduated-nearly five years
ago. You and have not discussed old
schoolmates." She smiled charmingly. "But
you have not told me why you dislike her"
II have given you no reason to think So"
"But you do not" she persisted.
"No, judith. | do not like Miss Morri-
SON" She had not before detected the weari-
ness in his voice.
The first night of September found the
gayety at its height. a masquerade dance
was in progress. 1t was the night preceding
the departure Of Judith's guests. Even
Lillian was to 60
Not far from midnight Ellington moved
restlessly through the winding walks. He
held mask in his hand, for the might was
hot. The denseness of the shadows, the
luminousness of the stars, the GOODNESS after
the heated atmosphere of the ballroom, were
grateful to him.
Strange how that snatch of verse throbbed
and sHged through his brain. "For me who
l. ~. Al l.,
peated themselves Twas the night, the
sound of the dancers feet, the clash Of
music.
As he paused under a small balcony, a fan,
dainty thing, brushed his face and fell at
his feet A woman leaned over the balcony.
care you, too, weary of the dance" he
asked, as he returned the fan.
She made some light reply.
"Miss Morrison" She noticed the quick
change in his voice. "You leave us to-mor-
row. May 1 not bid you goodbye"
= "Are you, then, so anxious to see me go?'
Did he imagine it, or was there a reproach
in her voice? He drew nearer.
"The dancers, the garden, the music as it
comes to us here, of what does it make you
think? You will not tell me? Then, wheth-
er you like it or not, 1 viii tell you. will
make it clear between us. Fate has brought
us to this balcony.
"Have you forgotten the old garden there
beyond the sea"-he caught her hands
"and that last night when [ told you of my
love? You sent me from you, coldly, but
knew you cared"
"Have you forgotten JUDITH" The sweet
voice sounded harsh. She drew her hands
from him and stood erect.
"You know have been true to her" pas
sionately 81 will never speak like this
again. Judith has told me the story-a sim
pie one. a quiet sea, sudden squall, an
overturned boat; but it left you free. Free
while l wandered over the earth trying to
forget, and forever haunted by the wrath
of girl with sunny hair and wistfu blue
gray eyes Why did not know? 1t was
not doubt, you could not doubt me- An
swer, Lillian"
She leaned against the railing She did
not speak.
! There could be many excuses bitterly.
81 was in Egypt, but letters would have
reached me. | laughed when Judith told me
your lovers death had spoiled your life"
Still the girl uttered no word. He leaned
upon the railing. 81 am going now" His
voice had grown tender. 81 would do moth
ing that would bring regret to you or her
may not touch you, but l love you!
love you! love you! Going, and you
stand there as if you were turned to stone!
You will not say the words for which my
heart has hungered? But once, dear"
"Once, and forever hold my BREATH" she
gasped. Then love you'll"
He laughed in low content. "Good-by,'
he said, although he did not move. Good
| hv - Tie Turned 10 po
,, 'Lewis," her voice was almost a whisper
task her to release you. Tell her tenderly
Perhaps it will not hurt much If it fails
touch her pride"
He looked at her incredulously. 81 can
not!"
Then you do not love"
81 will not pain her SO, We are Injured tc
p&n-"
He looked out over the garden. Uncon
sciously he crushed in his grasp rose that
grew on the balcony.
How the struggle swayed in the soul of the
woman who stood 50 near himl How the
inner voice wrangled with her! Renounct