Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-05-23
CHAPTER ".
,,, c,.,,v,-,

THE SURPRISE.
A low, soft rap at the door aroused him
from his mcditations.
Come in said Harry, in sulky voice.
The low, soft rap was repeated
Harry opened the door, but started back
half way across the room ms the little yelled
cottage presented Itself, with Fanny's sweet
face peeping out from under it--lIke love in
mist. He sprang as Instantly forward, and
catching both ot Fanns'g little, soft hands he
kissed first one and then The other, then both
together, until Fanny thought it prudent to
withdraw ,hem--doubiess, for fear Of hsv-
ing them devoured.
Fanny spoke first. Fanny had very
sweet voice it did not break IA silence it
glidcd in as though the stiffness waited for
tie smooth tones and yielded them room.
'Yonr man Sarjotold me in VIVA, room
should find his young massa,' and So
| i am very glad you came, Fanny ! tru-
ly am, for | was just going into ii fit Of the
aZnres.'
THAT is disease never have been trou-
bled with. to any extent, said Fanny, with a
laugh. If can do any good in the way Of
a cure, am at Your service. have IA holt
day TO day, and can afford to spend it as
like best
Delightful; TO rear the tender thought, to
teach, aud all that. Is it not, Fannyl'
Most delightful said she, laughing with
him. AN open piano, ! see. Do you play
Mr.. Lincoln 2
dary replied by sitting down to the in
sirnmcn. He was lover of music his soul
seemed 10 guide the movement of his fin
gers.
Fanny listencd eagerly, and now and then,
as he went on, a silen; tear trickled down her
cheek. When Harry arose and looked
around-Fanny's eyes were still moist but
the same bright, careless smile was dimping
her pretty mouth that had SO charmed him
from the first.
Thank yon.' said she sit puts me in
mind of - Fanny hcsilated and blusbed ;
she turned to the piano to hide her bushes,
, -'What delightful toned instrument this
, is exclaimed she, running her little dimpled
, hands over its chords. 1T recalls old menu
Dries, when -. Shall try if can re-
member any thing | used to know 1t has
r been s,mc time since | have touched a
. piano.
Harry replied that nothing could afford
, him more peasora than to hear her. Sc
Fanny played.
| She commenced with wild, plain,ive
, prelude, and as she proceeded, recollectIons
of the past came TO her she seemed to play
her heart out, as though it felt the poetry OF
music. She played as capriciousy as a
, butterfly roves from flower to flower - By
turns lively and sad.
Lincoln stood cntranced; he forgot she
was village school mistress, and that her
, name was Stubbs. He only saw in the bright
2 creature before him the first being he had
r ever loved.
She sung at his request. One with so much
heart could not help singing well. Her voice
n was full oftenderness she sang as ieelingl )
as she played.
'You are wonderful creature, Fanny,
said Lincoln, when her song was ended
k Fanny, give up your school and come anc
@ teach me. Teach me how to love you ~
YOU deserve to be loved. Fanny, love You
4 Will yon be mine What silen, aud smi
ngl lon may laugh, but, F my, believe
me, am in earnest. Still silentl You ar
strange girl, Fanny. Shall &c, dow
). upon my knees and Offer You my heart at
hand, AS they did in times of old ? If hi
is bu, the second time have seen yoa, an
if my love seem sudden, believe me 1t is non
O the less sincere. Speak, Fanny-dedreS
: Fanny -