Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 17, No. 099, March, 1876

t the Sloman cottage. It was so late in September that the morning was a little hazy and uncertain. And yet the a

rtle Mrs. Sloman. Bessie was coming: she would surely not make me wait. Was not that he

d the withered leaves about with my stick and drew

mong the fast-falling leaves, and aimed it right at the muslin curtain. The folds parted and it

essie's pique is not apt to last s

to my boggling answers, my fears, so stupidly expressed, that it would be anything but a picturesq

I want to, why can't I take it for granted that she will be happy too?" And a hot flush of shame went over me to think that I ha

tall our separation: why should we be parted al

oment that conventional objections might be overcome, aunts and guardians talked o

! I grew red and bit my lips with vexation. And now my dear girl was sh

nbolting, and craftily retreated to the gate, that I might see

ut on my asking if Miss Bessie was ready yet to walk, promised smilingly to go and see. She retur

her how insensate she must have been, how serenel

greeting. Passively she suffered herself to be placed in a chair, and then, with something of her own manner, she said hurriedly,

ng it to you?" I

ng you were there still, and that I could come back to you. But you were not there, and everything was so still that I was sure you had gone-gone without a word. I listened and listened, but I was too proud to go down into the parlor and

blue room? I am afraid," looking at her downcast eye

t myself," she

rry and worry this journey would cost you. You know that to ha

ue eyes, "for me to dare to dream i

much to ask?" For I had discovered, of course, in my morning's work among the dead leaves on the porch, that I had desire

ed into the breakfast-parlor, disclosing Mrs. Sloman seated by the silver urn, and

gested Aunt Sloman in a voice that had in it all the gloom of the morning. Indeed, the clouds ha

train go, and will telegraph to the office. I can take the

e was as joyous and frank as her sunniest self. No exaggeration of laughter or fun, but the brightness of her every-day manner, teasing and sparkling round Aunt Sloman, coquetting very naturally with me. It was a

cion that there was discord between us, and her rare self-control, that for the moment put asi

't you take care of Mr. Munro for a little while? I have

have me entertain her. If I would read to her, now, wo

ose household incense rose high in the air, I watched impatient for the signal to begin. When the tea-cups were all collected, and Aunt

gs," or "Miss Sedgwick's Letters," or "Stanley-Livingstone," I have not the remotest idea. I was fascinated by the gentle dip of

tee? Judge Hubbard was a friend of my father's, and would approve of me, I th

think so, Mrs. Sloman?" I said at last, after I had g

Mrs. Sloman smiled a white-lipped smile of sympath

I said falsely, hoping,

than ever that morning; and as she stood before me, coming up to the fireplace where I was standing, her eyes looked nearly level into mine. I di

the

I am dressed for it;" and she threw a tartan cloak over her

board," I whispered as I

swer save to stoop down and pat the silly little te

king;" and Fidget made a gray ball of

tle Skye terrier cantering in advance or

torily?" I asked, for I was fretting

it to you when y

" said I, resolving to plunge at onc

ome again? Don't you al

time I mean to

and. As she did not speak, I went on fatuously: "You don't need any preparation of gowns and shawls; you can buy your

that I am all re

se of other girls-that she will be herself always,

m different from other girls?" and the scarlet deepened on her

do things that other girls cannot, nor

s. Now, Charlie, if you mention Europe once in this walk I shall be

can't go back to New York, and engage our passage, and go to se

her foot in the moist earth of the road, taking each step carefull

day week. You see, Bessie dear, I must sail on the fixed day. And if we tal

one of the small houses on the roadside. "Don't you want some company? I've been to call on m