Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-11-27
Harry's Majority
BY DAGNEY MAJOR.

! IT HAT most delightful companion
Of summer days-the sun--was
shining brilliantly through the open
window into a charmingly appointed
dining-room one bright June morning.
Breakfast was laid for three. At the
head Of the table sat Miss Pris-
ella Payne, a sweet, gray haired
woman, with what is termed a
good" face, though lined with
care and trouble. Yes; the bowl
of happiness was low when her share
was ladled out. There was a gentle
look of resignation in her face. which
was the reflection Of a brave heart
She frightened up as she heard a
| quick, light footstep, and her niece,
Jessie Burton, a sweetly pretty girl
| of about IS summers, entered the
room.
"Good-morning. auntie! Is Harry
DOWN." she asked, kissing her guard
ian.
mo, dear; but he soon viii be, I'm
sure. He can only have one twenty
first birthday"
Many letters for him?"
"a few; one is from Australia"
"Auntie," said the girl, suddenly,
with tinge Of lovely color flaming
her cheeks, 'I-I-haye something to
tell YOU"
q do believe I can guess what it is,
Jessie"
20, auntie, am sure you haven't
notion"
my dear. your face convinces me
that my conclusion IS correct. Come
here and let your old aunt whisper ii:
Harry has proposed and you have ae-
cepted him"
"How did you know" calculated
Jessie yes, BE proposed last night.
Aren't You going 70 congratulate me ?"
Eyes, yes. darling May you be
very very happy" and she kissed her
niece lovingly Are you quite sure,
Jessie, that you love him, and that
there is nothing that would prevent
you from marrying?"
Jessie replied by a look that indi-
Gated such question was entirely I'M
necessary.
"You know. dear. was in love once,
and some one was fond Of me. but
but-things went wrong. Some duy
you shall hear the story. dear, then
you viii understand how il is I am
so anxious about you. All, here is
Harry"
At that moment handsome young
fellow entered the room. Jessie ran
and kissed him, and led him to her
aunt, who was smiling through tears
Of happiness and sorrow-sorrow be-
cause she foresaw a bitter parting with
Jessie.
After oft-repeated congratulations
and many happy returns, Harry was
permitted 10 open his letters. The
gist Of the one from Australia ran as
follows;
MY Dear son 7 trus+ you viii receive
this on the day you attain your majority.
Now that you have arrived al an age Of dis
erection. I wish you 10 know as much Of my
history as Is necessary. Pray, my
dear son. do not think hardly Of me.
All have done ! have done for the best.
! have instructed that good man,
Rev William Nayand. your guardian and
counselor all these years, 20 tell you as
much as he thinks At He will see
the lawyers for you After to-day you will
be able 10 draw 81 500 year This
will continue until my death, when all !
have goes 10 YOU. Wishing you all
happiness. my dear boy. Your most at
fectionate FATHER"
Harry read this through twice, amid
strange feeling Of uneasiness and
emotion. II was the first letter he had
ever received from his father He
sat down, looking rather pale, crush
ing the letter in his hand Was his
three months Of perfect happiness at
this house to be marred by some hor-
rible revelation? He trusted not.
Somehow or other he thought Of |
James Barton, his rival.
Miss Payne had taken a great fancy /
to Harry when they first met, two
years ago. and be had latterly been
staying with her and Jessie. with the
inevitable result that he fell head over
ears in love with her pretty face,
.Mv guardian. Rev. William Nay |
land. win rs calling 10 see me to-day, |
Miss Payne" he said at length, about
some business matters. And, Jessie,
he broke off Il should like 10 see |
YOU in the garden after breakfast"
The meal having concluded. with !
painful evidence that things had gone
atwist. Harry strolled into the gar
den with her.
Darling, what IS It? What is the
she asked. gently nesting +
up 10 him. Something has gone 4
wrong. and who should share your
trouble with You but ?"
The doubts and perplexities which 1
his mind for a moment .
seemed to overwhelm him, then, with I
IN. q ..-or.l N. .noL tha nirl IN lis /