Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-07-18

signation with Nanciebel. 1t had snow
ed heavily all the preceding night aud
all the morning. but the afternoon had
frightened somewhat, and in the west
ern skies there was now pale glow
of saffron, though that was hardly
strong enough to tinge the cold white
landscape.
When he reached the church, even
song was going forward. Through the
windows he could see the gas jets all
lighted up, points of lemon yellow fire
I'm the dusk, and ever and anon came
the soft thunder roll Of the organ and
the clear singing of the choir. He walk
ed along to the riverside. The elms
overhead were heavily draped with
snow, for not a breath of wind was
stirring. The dull green surface of the
Avon was broken here and there by
gray patches of ice floating down with
the slow current. On the other side
were the fat white meadows and be-
yond these again white slopes and
heights, with black hedges and trees
protruding. The world was quite silent
save for the hushed and slumberous
music in the church.
Now, some one had considerably
cleared a path from the porch to the
side of the stream, so that when Nan
ciebel came along the deep snow caus-
ed no inconvenience either to her skirts
or to her neat, small ankles. 1t was a
oil nj nhnnrInSS trVStinU nlDpn IN he
sure. but loves fires burn independents
~ of the weather, and it was not the
wintry landscape that was in Miss Nan
cy's mind.
Nor was it in Mr.. Richards mind ell
ther, for now, and quite suddenly and
unexpectedly, he experienced new
emotion-an emotion that caused him
no little disquiet. Hitherto whenever
he had caught sight of Nancy his heart
had filled with joy; the most distant
glimpse of the gray and purple dress
and the sable plumed hat had been like
kiss for sweetness; his eyes lighted
up to welcome her, but now, to his
amazement and dismay, he found, as
Nanciebel approached, that he was
grown anxiously critical. He scru-
tinized her-her appearance, her express
sion, her Dress her manner of walking,
as If he feared that some objection
might be taken. And perhaps she no
ticed his unusual look as she timidly
gave him her hand. She flushed lit
tie, and when she spoke it was with
averted eyes.
"You asked me to meet you, Rich
ard" said she, land have come, but
not with any kind of expectation. You
We're too confident. But don't think
shall be annoyed or disappointed.
knew what your mother would say
All, well, the sound of her voice, with
its mysterious charm, which could
thrill his heart with the simplest
phrase-that delightful sound gave him
courage again. How could his mother
withstand those soft, low, penetrating
tones? What mattered it what kind OF
gloves she wore, what kind of brooch
was at her neck, when that tender
voice could win its way to the heart
when those soft dark eyes could pleat
for kindness?s
But you're all wrong, Nancy" sale
he, with kind Of forced cheerfulness
for it had alarmed him to find that hi
could scan the appearance of his sweet
heart in this critical way. "The mater
wants you to come and see her. L
will be all right, as told you it would
OF course
"Of course what Richard" she said
seeing he hesitated.
"Well, you can't expect impossible
ties, Nancy" said he vaguely.
Richard" she said, 'why don't yo1
confess the truth? Your mother is sur
prised and grieved by what you hav
told her, and, although she may hav
said that you might take me to Sc
her, it was against her will and onl
to please you, and you know she viii
never really consent, though she ma,
formally do SO out of her fondness TO
you. Very we'll. Why should you We
and trouble her any more? l say nov
what l said yesterday. Let this sto
where it is. Let us be friends, tru
friends, always and always, but notl
ing more than that. Then we can griev
no one"
"And this is what your affectio
comes TOT" said he reproachfuIly. 6
thought you loved me, Nancyw
Tears could rise quickly to those dar
lashes.
1T is not my fault, Richard" sal
she. "But everything is against us.
knew your mother would say no.
But she does not say mop he e.
claimed. Nothing of the kind. {
course, as l say, you can't expect in
possibilities. You can't expect her
be enthusiastic. What woman wou
be about proposed daughter-in-la
she has never seen? 1t is but natur
for her to have doubts. How can 81
know how thoroughly you and l u
derstand each other? And it is fl
your happiness as well as mine TIL
she talks about experimentation Il
necessity for some considerable tin
of separation-to see whether we kno
our own minds. Six months at Shan
ha1-thatS what she proposes 1of III
Nancyv
'Shanghaiw repeated Nancy, and S
looked up with frightened stare.
Eyes, indeed. And it's you who
to save me from that banishme
all rests on your shoulders" he
tinued more cheerfully. But XII
you will come through the ordeal
triumph. Who could withstand 20
eyes, Nanciebel? You don't yours,
know what winning fascination til
have. And you won't be nervous AFT
the first second. You will see 1
mother wants to be kind. You rene
Der how the miller's daughter was AZ