Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-06-22

burn him TO the quick. ! saw this only
too plainly. but never a word of 1t was
spoken between US.
The more | saw of this man the more
I respected him. and this curbing OF his
affections added to my already high es-
teen. The effort was doubly wise in
Brandon's case. After q time Mary
began TO suspect his attempts to aToid
her. and she grew cold and distant
through pique. Her manner, however.
had no effect upon Brandon. who did
not. or ut least appeared not to. notice
L. This the girl could not endure. and,
lacking strength to resist her heart,
soon returned to the attack.
Mary had not seen Brandon for near
ly two weeks and was growing anx-
ious, when one day she and Jane met
him In q forest walk near the river.
Brandon was sauntering along read
ing when they overlook him. Jane told
me afterward that Mary's conduct up
on coming up to him was pretty and
curious beyond the naming. At first
she was inclined to be distant and say
cutting things, but when Brandon be-
gan to grow FESTIVE under them and
showed signs of turning back she
changed front I'm the twinkling Of an
eye and was all sweetness. She laugh
ed and smiled and dimpled. as only she
could, and was full Of bright glances
and gracious words.
She tried hundred little schemes to
get him to herself for a moment-the
hunting OF a wild flower or a four
leaved clover or the exploration OF
some little nook In the forest toward
which she " ould lead him-but Jane
did not at first take the hint and kept
close at her heels. Mary's impulsive
nature was not much given to limiting
she usually nodded, and most en-
phatcally at that-so after q few fall
ures to rid herself OF her waiting lady
she said impatiently: Jane. in the
name of heaven, don't keep SO close to
US! You won't move out Of reach of
my hand. and you know how often it
inclines to box your earsw
Jane did know, l am sorry for Mary's
sake to say, how often the fair hand
was given to such spasms; so with this
emphasized hint she walked on ahead,
half sulky at the indignity put upon
her and half amused at her whimsical
mistress.
Mary lost no time, but began the at
tack at once.
Now, sir, want you to tell me the
truth. Why do you refuse my invita-
lions and 50 persistently keep away
from me? thought at first I would
simply let you go your way, and then
/ thought IL would not. Don't deny
1t. I know you won't. With all your
faults, You don't tell even little lies;
not even to u woman-I believe. Now
there Is fine compliment-is it not?-
when l intended to scold your She
gave futtering little laugh, and, with
hanging head, continued: Tell me,
Is not the kings sister of quality suf-
fcient to suit you? Perhaps you must
have the queen or the Blessed Virgin?
Tell me now?" And she looked up at
him, half in banter, half in doubt.
MY duties began Brandon.
"Oh, bother your duties! Tell me
the truth"
II will, If you let me-" returned
Brandon, who had no intention what
ever of doing anything of the sort.
MY duties now occupy my time in the
evening"
THAT Will not do" interrupted Mary,
who knew enough of a guardsman's
duty to be sure it was not onerous.
"You might as we'll come to it and tell
the truth; that you do not like our So
ciety." And she gave him a vicious
little glance without a shadow of
smile.
I'm Gods name, Lady Mary, that is
not it," answered Brandon, who was
on the rack. please do not think it.
1 cannot bear to have you say such
thing when it is so far from the real
truth"
Then tell me the real truth"
II cannot; 1 cannot I beg of you
not to ask. Leave me, or let me leave
you! / refuse to answer further" The
latter half of this sentence was uttered
doggedly and sounded sullen and ill
humored, although of course it was not
so intended. he had been so perilous-
ly near speaking words which would
probably have lighted, to their destruc-
tion-to his certainly-the smoldering
flames within their breast that il
frightened him, and the manner in
which he spoke was but tone giving
utterance to the pain in his heart
Mary took it as it sounded and in IN
feigned surprise exclaimed angrily:
Leave you? Do hear Alright? I
never thought that l, the daughter and
sister of a king. would live to be dis
missed by a-by a-any one."
Your highness"- began Brandon,
but she was gone before he could
speak.
He did not follow her to explain,
knowing how dangerous such an ex-
PLANTATION would be, but felt that it
was best for them both that she should
remain offended. painful as the thought