Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1907-10-28

keep oue's feet 10 say nothing Of hear /
ilg aay one speak.
"its pretty windy here. shirley"
shouted Jefferson. steadyiGg himself
against stanchion. Don't you want
20 walk a TttleT'
lie had begun 10 cali her by her first
name quite naturally, as IL it were a
matter az course. Indeed. their rela.
tons had come TO be more like those OF
brother and sister than anything else.
Shirley was too much troubled over
the news from home to have a mind
for other things. and in her, distress
she had turned to jefferson for advice
and help as she would have looked TO
an elder brother.
lie was sorry for Judge Rossmore, of
course, and there was nothing he would
not do on his return to secure with
dr1wal Of the charges. That his IA
Their would use his influence he had no
doubt, but meantime he was selfish
enough to be glad for the opportunity
IL gave him to be a whole week alon..
with Shirley.
Thus events, combined with the
weather, conspired to bring Shirley
and Jefferson more closely together.
The sea had been rough ever since
they sailed, keeping Mrs. Blake confined
10 her stateroom almost continuously.
They were therefore constantly in one
anOther's company, and slowly, I'M
consciously, there was taking root in
their hearts the germ of the only real
and lasting love-the love born of
something higher than mere physical
attraction, the nobler, more enduring
affection that is born of mutual sym
patty. association and companionship.
jefferson had been casting furtive
| Glances at his companion. and as he
noted her serious. pensive face he
thought how pretty she was. He won
dcred what she was thinking Of, and
{ suddenly inspired no doubt by the mys-
I tcrious power that enables some people
to read the thoughts of others, he said
/ abruptly:
j Shirley, l can read your thoughts.
! You were thinking of me-
She was startled for a moment, but
Immediately recovered her self posses
! sion. 1t never occurred to her to deny
it. She pondered for a moment and
then replied:
You are right, Jeff, l was thinking
OF you. How did you guess?"
! He leaned over her and took her
hand. She made no resistance. Her
| delicate, slender hand lay passively in
his big brown one and met his grasp
frankly, cordially. He whispered:
What were you thinking of me
good or bad?'
Good, of course How could think
anything bad of you?"
She turned her eyes on him in Won
! derment; then she went on:
Il was wondering how q girl could
distinguish between the feeling she
has for a man she merely likes and the
feeling she has for man she loves"
Jefferson bent eagerly forward so as
to lose no word that might fall from
those coveted lips.
in what category would I be
placed?" he asked.
Il don't quite know" she answered
laughingly Then seriously she added
JEFF, why should we act like children
Your actions, more than your words
have told me that you love me. l have
known it all along. If 1 have appeared
cold and Indifferent, it is because
She hesitated.
"Because? echoed Jefferson anX
lousy. as if his whole future dependet
on that reason.
Because | was not sure of myself
Would it be womanly or honorable Of
my part to encourage you unless | fel
l reciprocated your feelings? You ar
young One day you will be very ricl
The whole world lies before yor
There are plenty of women who woul
willingly give you their love-"
mo, nor he burst out in vigorou
protest ut is you l want Shirley
you alone"
Grasping her hand more closely. b
went on, passion vibrating in ever
note of his voice: Il love you. Shirley
I've loved you from the very first ever
ing | met you | want you to be m
| wife"
. Shirley looked straight UP into th
Dlue eyes SO eaS2"iy bent down o
: hers, so entreating n their expression
5 and in gentle voice full of emotio
she answered:
l Jefferson, you have done me til
greatest honor a man can do 4 womGl
i Don't ask me to answer you now.
1 like you very much. | more than lik
$ you. Whether it is love feel for yol
e that have not yet determined Civ
u me time Ny present trouble and the
5 my literary work.
d Il know" agreed jefferson, eth.
|, this is hardly the time to speak of sue
II matters. Your father has first call G
your attention. But as to your literal
lie work | do not understand
e simply this: | am ambitious
n nave had little success-just enoue
n to crave for more. l realize that ma
- rage would put an extinguisher on g
"a aspirations in that direction"