Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-05-09

biu'u lttO Nt mouse
1T rds her voice then, md she was plnhhnc
this desiga with that Infamous milliner. | would
not believe my own scnscsill she confirmed them
but she will not persist IN any thing 50 ctuel-i,
is absurd TO suppose so lfshe doos--l will obey
her
As he mu,ercd these words, young man walk
cd slowly from the house
How melancholy poor Ida had been all the
previous day-how many strange coniectules bad
passed through her brain regarding the remarka-
bic absence Of Mr. Gilbert They haunted her
all night, and IN the morning, when she came
along the foot path through the fields tears stood
IN her eyes mora than half tho why, She had
cast many sad, earnest gaze through the shop
window, before she saw Gilbert and Miss War.
nor coming through the opposite porco The
sight made the heart struggle with throb Of pain
IN Lidas bosom and mist came over her eyes
hll they could scarcely discern the needle with
which she seemed occupied They were com inc
toward the shop, and the sound of their footsteps
IN the entry made the young girl tremble in her
seat,
Come, said Miss Warner, addressing the mil.
liner put on your bonnet We are going up to
the house and want your opinion
Miss Smith ran for her bonnet, and, for the first
time in her life the young lady addressed the ap.
prentice
Get your sun-bonnct,' she said; you can 90 with
us
! The blood rushed over I,ida's face, and she
would have refused, but Miss Warner whispered
a word to her lover, and he pressed Ida 10 90
with such respectful earnestncss that she arose
tied on her little straw cottage and WIS ready TO
attend them long before Miss Smith made her ap
pearancc
| The homestead was a large and superior old
mansion for country village Its material was
| heavy, and touched with the brown tinge Of age;
the trees around 1t were majestic and its shrubbe
ry luxuranI; It's furniture was that Of another cen.
fury, old fashioned and massive but Gilbert had
intersperced it with chairs and tables of lighter
and more recent model; and the gloom which low
ceilings gave TO an apartment was relieved by tall
mirrors and modern windows, which were cut
from ceiling TO floor. Altogether it was the
dwelling which domestic and studious person
would have preferred above all others
Ida had never seen anything half SO splendid
before, but there was heavy feeling Of her hear,
which mere novelty could not dspe She follow
ed her conductors up the broad stairs, heard them
admire the balusteru of dark mahogany, and walk.
cd through the hambers like ono in dream
She was pale bewildered, and sick at heart al
most for the first time in her lite
There was one room on the first floor which
Gilbert had fitted up exclusively for his bride II
had but one bay window, which opened upon the
most verdent nook of the old fashioned garden
and this window required no drapery for an i'm.
mense white rose tree was trained along the case
ment, till prolusion of thick green leaves and
snowy blossoms dropped like curtain over the
upper part, and when the sash was open storm
Of fragrant leaves fell like snow flakes over the
rich old easy chairs and moss like carpet which
decorated the room On a curions little table
with legs carved and twisted together like knot
oil serpent lay guitar, with an azure ribbon just
attached, and as yet unseen. a superb old bookcase,
crowded with neatly bound volumes, stood oppo-
site the bay window, and little French work ia
bic, perfectly new. occupied corner close by.
Miss Warner flung herself on a seat and taking
up the guitar, began TO ,ri1e with the strings as
she turned with an unpleasant smile toward Ida
How would You Iike this room for your own
she said
'MeT said Ida, family; Il have never dream,
ed Of living in such place as this
! But you can live here if you like replied the
milliner
My mother was well off once and she would
not let me dive out for anything said the ap-
prentice; for she could only imagine that Miss
Warner wished to engage her for help when she
would take possession Of the homestead besides
/ am not strong enough for very hard work.
| 'Oh, we didn't mean that replied the milliner;
Mr. Gilbert wants wife, and as this lady here
has taken fancy that he likes you rather better
than he does her, she is quite willing that he
make you mistress ofthe homestead, instead Of
| herself
Don't say so--it is cruel to Joke in this man.
nerp said the bewildered girl, turning very pale,
i am sure, quite sure that Mr. Gilbert never
thought Of me Ida spoke hastily but in n
faint voice and she had look Of troubled doubt
in her eyes, as il she almost hoped they would
contradict her.
Bat he does think OF you--he told nc so last
night said Miss Warner and if am willing 10
give him up, what harm can come ofhF
And could you give him upF said Ida, clasp
ing her small hands with energy which bespoke
her asonlshment that any one rould resign OF her
own free will being 50 perfect
Oh Mr. Gilbert is cot the only agreeable man
on Garth, replied the young lady, removing ihe
azure ribbon from her neck, and laying down the
guitar j am perfectly willing 10 resign hlm at
any rnoment-so prepare for tle wedding t0-EIor
row night, if you like'
As she spoke Miss Warner and her companion
glided from the room Ida had no power 10
follow, she was CONFUSED and srenrhless. a mis-,
came over her sigh, and sinking to her seat. she
covered her face wilh both hands, and remained
in a state Of mcniel bewilderment alnos uncon-
scious Of The solitude which surrounded her
Mis- Warner and the nilliner met GIlbeu m
the hall and both were laughing as they moved
toward him