The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-10
For the National Era
WILLARD AND LIEREY
BY ALICE CAREY.
ICoNCLUDRD.l

But the veriest trifes hold us spell bound
sometimes and single withered rose may be
sweetsr than whole fields of fresh flowers And
upon one occasion, certainly, a harmless rabbit
that had been dislodgsd from his burrow in
the winter snow, in WHICH the drops of his life
blood were yet fresh, subserved the most genia
amusement.
"Look there 4" exclaimed Mrs. Hubert, a,
a fresh drop of blood trickled over the neck
and FLASHED on the white apron of Linney
40, dear and my hands, too she said, hold.
ing them up.
at was all my fault, said Mr.. Weldon look.
ing painfully annoyed. Linney's cheek grew
Is red as the spot in her apron. 1t was not sc
much the words as the tone of tenderness with
which they were said, and TIE really distressed
look that accompanied them
Both felt it relief when Mr. Hubert enter
ed, and the good wifcs attention was diverted
from them, to prepare the armchair and stil
the fire.
"But, Linney, you don't know how TO cook it
do your" resumed the young man, with all hi
former self possession, aud familiar style o
address he had never used before
"Fry it, suppose" she answered
The young man laughed as though the ides
were preposterous, and said he knew more
about the culinary art than half the women
And, indeed, what man is there but that sup
poses the same thing
Linney did not seem to heed him, and he
continued, "you must dine with us tomorrow
we are to have one, too ~ and in a moment
seeing that she did not reply, he said, "Will
you Gomez" n
She made some sort of vague feply, which
her Young admirer for such he was constru-
ed into acceptance.
But the truth is, she had heard nothing he
said; and, now as she sunk into chair, her
cheek assumed u pallor, and her black eyes,
naturally merry, took a stesdfast and earnest
look, and neither have ever entirely lost the
expression Of that moment. She had been list
ening to the Hulberts, rs they talked of their
son.
"What!o said tho mother in surprised
whisper, MS she leaned over the shoulder of her
husband, who answered.
He says nothing that you will be glad to
hear of. The letter is filled with stuff about
Alumni, Enolid, freshmen, and all that which
we don't know nothing about; besides, he
wants me to send money, and tells me to
sell the hay il can't get it without" The old
man wiped his eyes, and continued in a trem-
ulous voice. expect he has been running me
in debt--twenty or twenty five dollars, like
enough"
"Had he got Linney's letterln asked the
mother rs if willing to divert his thoughts
He received it week ago" was replied,
but had not yet read it when he wrote
And this it was which made the pallor in
the cheek Of Linney, and the steadfast look in
her eyes.
That night, as Mrs. Hubert wound the clock,
she said, Do you think you could keep house,
Linney, for a day or twoi"
Yes why she replied, and looking more
curiosity than she spoke
"Oh, ! don't know, child and directly she
added, ayes | do, too. May be wo will 90 10
Augusta in a week or no, father and me-"
lis Willard sick ?" asked Linney, her heart
stirred anew.
No. and Mrs Hubert locked anxiously
into the fire.
because continued Linney, seeing that
she was not likely to explain, q thought it
strange that you should 20 when the session
will close 80 soon" She forbore to say when
Willard is coming home 40 soon.
But Mrs Hubert, who understood hor mean
ing. replied, 81 He is not coming home. He says
ne shall have plenty Of business and pleasure
the NachuUi, DcHiACnj h' uos Wobs
20 get his mind in the old trains Of thought, he
says
aWellD said Linnev, and in that little word
there was bitterness Of meaning which long
sentences could not have expressed.
III wonder said Mrs Hubert, presently,
~if George has nothing better to do than hunt
rabbits--the poor harmless critters ?"
She was in no very amiable mood, poor wo-
man.
aSuch sports have been relished by wiser
men than he,p answered Iinney, sand see no
particular harm in tbemp
eNor either, a. know Of" and Mrs. Hull
bert grew thoughtful and silent again.
And 80 for an hour the two women Nat TO-
gether. The effect Of Wizards letter was re-
fected in the mind Of either, and how differ
emily, in the estimate formed OF George
Before she retired that night Linney visited
WIZARDS ROOM and taking from the drawer
the stockings designed for him, replaced them
with the bundle prepared for market Ihen,
renewing tho pillow she took tho letter and
the Bibla, and placed them on tho shelf above
the Window
And from such small things AZ we have re-
corded riss the fates that shape destiny
The following day, while preparations for
Mrs Hulbort's visit to Augusta we're going