Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-10-24

der greens and misty grays OF the
mark were like wistful promise of
beauties to come. In the air the damp,
earthly smells Of early spring tioated.
the sweet breath Of the soil as 1t
awakened from its winter trance.
With a sigh Of enjoyment she seated
herself on one Of the green benches,
and Barton took his place beside her.
For some moments they sat gazing at
the scene before them in dreamy ST.
Ience, taking in long whiffs OF the
soft air with sensuOus delight. The
blurred faint loneliness Of it all be-
spoke fairyland.
He did not speak, but she knew that
he was watching her intently. With
a sort Of helpless, bewildered dismay
she realized that she was flushing like
a schoolgirl. "A woman of thirty
eight" she tainted herself savage
ly, thirty eight, thirty eight. thirty
eightw But it was no use. She flush
ed and flushed until she longed wild
ly for an earthquake, for any deliver
ance that would rescue her from the
absurdity Of her position. But none
came, and with lips that Quivered with
annoyance she tried to form some Oh
verting. impersonal remark.
A big, firm hand closed over hers,
and Stuart Barton looked down at her
like a triumphant young god.
II know what you are going to say"
he began. 'but it's no use. love you,
and I'm old enough to know my own
mind Ibis is an exceptional case,
and there's no use Of your tormenting
yourself and me by bOthering about
outrages. am certainly going to mar
ry you, so you might just as well make
up your mind to it,
He paused for breath. and, though
| she eyed him in disdainful silence,
| dangerous excitement, triumphant
| happiness. danced in her blood, and
| she dared not trust herself to speak.
You love me-you know you do,
| Alice" he resumed exultantly, and at
| the protest that she tried her best to
make convincing he only laughed in
| diligently. With shock it came to
| her that he was right. She did love
| him. When she spoke a moment later
her voice was very low and tense.
1--WE won't talk of it any more now,
! Stuart" she said. laying her hand on
! his arm, but year from now, if you
| feel the same-nO, don't interrupt.
You think you will, but you don't
know. Don't you suppose it is hard
| for me-" And she looked straight in
his eyes with an expression he thought
to remember always. But youth has
ever a poor memory, and year con-
tains 365 days.
I'm going away Immediately" she
continued. with a little break in her
voice as she realized what life would
seem without him. For year shall
drop out of existence, so far as you
are concerned. But at the end of that
time -....
|
| A year had passed and another had
begun before Stuart Barton found
himself again in that particular part
of the park. AS before, he was ac-
companied by a lady. young, proud
and superb looking, and as they seat
ed themselves on the identical green
bench that he had occupied on a for
mer momentOus occasion he awaited
anxiously for the reply that she had
promised him. Later the first furry
of excitement over, she looked at him
with an inquiring face.
You We're awfully attentive to that
Miss Milford last year." she remarked
. tentatively Il always wondered what
: you could see in a woman so much
your senior
5 CONSERVATION seized Barton. Now
: he knew why the spot had vaguely
/ haunted him; why it reminded him of
S something once vivid, but now forgot
ten. His face went pale.
:. "She was a lovely woman" he said
e quietly.
-
IL, "She doesn't know that l gave him
IT. to her murmured Miss Milford wher
L she heard of her truant lovers en-
er gagement to Miss Selwyn. Then as
e two tears brimmed up in her eyes and
rolled down her cheeks she exclaimed
IN emphatically, You idiot" and ther
TO her face went down to her hands.