Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1853-03-02


for the next morning was to usher in Arthurs
birthday; and to-day Mrs Bercsford was giving
a large chldrens party, expressly in honor OF lit
lie Agnes and Henry IIaughton q
1t was growing late and even the lightest Feet
began to long for little rest, when from one
large group that had gathered together, there came
loud call to play at forlcits and, in two or three
moments all were busy gathering pretty things to-
gether to pour into Fortunes lap; and then they
mcrrily began the game, and laughed and capped
their hands with delight as each holder of for
felt was proclaimed.
The most uproarious laughter had Just been
excited by Ncvils performance of some penalty
allotted to him; and then | recollect well how he
came, looking very happy, to kneel at Fortunes
feet and deliver the next sentence She held up
a little ring. and, when she asked the usual ques-
ton, what the possessor of it was to do, he an
swered gaiy,
"To give us his autobiography"
There was pause for a moment, while they
waited for Fortune to declare whose the forfeit
was but she did not speak, for the ring was hers.
Nevill had risen from his knees, and seeing it, he
exclaimed, laughing, for he knew it.
"What, Miss Wilfred, has this fallen to your
lot ?"
She looked up hurriedly bom him to me, and
said "Aunt Dinah,' quickly as if for me to speak.
But, before l had opened my lips, Mrs Beresford
Z came forward, and said kindly,
"Nevill think it would be hardly fair to press
! this forfeit. We can't expect young ladies to be
Il willing to declare their autobiographes in public,
7 you know"
4 l interrupted Ncvill, and answered.
Il 'But if you will take my account of Fortunes
N life instead of calling her for her own, think
n | can answer for her willingness to let you hear
II it. Shall it be so, Mr. Erlington?'
al But he was eager that it should be passed over,
Il was even vexed that any word had been said about
Il it at all l understood his delicacy well, and
II thanked him for it in my heart ;,but knew what
| my child's wish was, so | would not do what he
~ asked me, but promised that when the children
II were away the story should be told and then the
ny game went on.
W. 1t was past ten o'clock when they gathered
e round me to hear my chd's history. There was
>. no one there but the Bercsfords and the Haugh-
+ tons and Nevill, and ourselves. / that my
= Door child was agated, but would not have her
: either know that guessed she was so, or that
)t shared her agitation, so / took out my knitting
Il and began working away very quietly as talked
h lust glancing up now and then into one or Other
ID of my hearers faces-into Nevill's ottencst, be-
y cause there was that in the earnest look he fiXet
a. on me- which seemed to ask it more than the rest
It. There was not really very much to tell, and
~ had gone ON without interruption nearly to the
end, ana was llSU lClllllp lllCll HOW ClllCu Ilt
g Fortune because we thought the name she sale
she had was so strange when, as | said the wore
N "Willie" sudden cry rang through the room.
ia 1t fell upon my heart with strange terror, AM
Ut in an instant every eye turned to whence
y, came.
Ut Pale as death, her figure eagerly bent forward
I" herhand graspng Fortunes shoulder, Mrs Iiaugh
'e' ton sat- From my chds cheek too, all colo
90 had fed motionless, like two marble figures, the
~ fronted each other their eyes fixed on each 9th
'h er's faces, with wild hope, wild doubt in each
~ it lasted but moment then both. as by ono i'm
1 pulse, rose. Mrs lhughton stretched out he
n Ee,,ra +pitat irUnu Fortunes fps
y Then was a passionate sob, and they were wrap
- ped each others arms.
''N ! saw like one in dream-not feeling, not IN
q Outstanding, not believing. A giddness cam
49, over me; a sudden dmness, before my eyes
y feeling of deadly sickness, as we feel when we ar
,~ iantng. There began to be a buzz Of voices, bu
die l could distinguish nothing clearly until hear
my own name called.
h "Dinah," my father was saying humiedly, ''yo
-, have that little portrait-give it to me-"
~, ! reused myself by great effort, and, taking til
r. lockct from my bosom, put in his hand. Anohe
ho moment, and there second cry but this tim
nS it was only a cry of joy.
lev "Yes, yes !" l heard Mrs IIaughton passionate
ly saying, in voice all broken with emotion, 9
~ knew it, / knew it 1t is my child-my Willie
m my little Willie !" and she pressed the portrait
~ her lips and looked on it as scarcely had eve
~ done.
~, All! | needed no other proofs. needed moth
ing more than that one look to tell me | had los
g my child.
Mrs Haughton had sank upon her seat agar
~ and my darling was kneeng at her feet, claspin
IN her hand, and weeping. They spoke no more
they, nor any one; then, when minute or tw
had passed, Colonel Haughton raised my chill
H., kindly from the ground, and placing her mother
y hand again in hers, led them silently from til
j. room.
nv l closed my eyes and turned away, but still tn
bo tears would force their way through the close
,oJ lids upon my check And, as / wept feeling
mo that night could not help it-sO lonely, and sac
Vii n warm, firm clasp came and closed upon my hant
Nv 1T was Nevill, who was standing by my side, an
no us felt that friendly pressure, and met the loo
od hat was bent upon me, knew that there was on
elf t least who, rejoicing in my Fortunes joy, coul
,ot yet feel the sympathy for me.
'o II 1t was not long before Colonel IIaughton cam
back and from him we learnt all that there wa
,o. b tell. Mrs Haughton, when very young, ha
tho married Captain Moreton, and accompanied hin
nv, b India where my child was born, and called al
~ ter her mother Wilhemina. But she was deli
40 cate and the doctors said that the Indian climat
l would kill her; so, before, she two years ole
~ They forced to send her to England, to rela
NV tons in the north. An English servant was sen
lie in charge of her. and both were committed TO til
ON care of an intimate friend of theirs who was re