Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-09-06
NV YoRK, Nav 16th.

son opening 70 select the mllllneTy
and Gertrude, who was waiting for George
to accompany US in drive, came into my
room.
"It is glorious day.. and the country
must be looking beautifully. 1 do wish
George had asked Mr.. Blanchard to go
with u.s. said she.
AS could not reiterate her wish was
silent.
"I really think Horace Blanchard the
finest man Il know-except my husband
of course" she continued, after pause.
' Is he ?'' said 1, in a voice which [
vainly endeavored should not be con-
strained, for felt that must say some
thing.
" Yes, and am astonished that you
do not seem to Ike him more I should
think you would suit each other exactly.
Your tastes and opinions are so much
alike
I overturned my work-basket. and the
picking up and arranging Of my sewing
implements, prevented the necessity of
my replying.
Gertrude has vast deal of tact. but l
never saw her so pertinacious as she was
this morning. She continued.
Why Ella said that you used to be so
intimate with Horace before we came
back, and that all at once you behaved so
coldIy toward him. She hinted vaguely Of
some story which you had heard Of him"
did she 2" muttered. not knowing
what to say. and in my agitation trying
in vain to thread my needle.
Gertrude was silent again, and arose
and walked to the window. I saw that
she waited to BE- questioned. but had
suffered too much to willingly open the
wound anew.
1t was about Lucy Barclay, poor
thing. suppose said she after awhile.
Her persistence annoyed me, and I
made no answer.
" He not so much to blame as you
think" she said, after another pause.
l spoke now, for was thoroughly an
CRY. To think that she too should look
upon such dreadful crime as light
thing. " Pshaw y said I, and l know
my lip curled with all the loathing | felt
" suppose you mean that she seduced
him-that it was her fault" and before
the sentence was completed, my voice
was fairly quivering with Indignation.
" Ada Lester, you know nothing at all
about it, she said, suddenly standing be-
fore me, and with her digni6ed manner.
which none can resist.
| was awed for the moment only. then
1 said hurriedIy. "I know more than l
wish to. Gertrude. This subject must be
dropped hereafter, between u.s." l arose
and gathered my sewing materials togeth-
er, as if TO put an end to the conversation.
IT, WAS ttrOWino unbearable
Ny companion moved restlessly about
the room for few minutes, then she
said,
"I am afraid, Ada. that the charity
which suffereth long and is kind is not
a part of your religion. You must hear
what have TO say in excuIpatiOn of Ho-
race Blanchard"
1 was wrought to such pitch of ago
ny, which was unendurably. " For Gods
sake, Gertrude" l cried. "why will you
torture me so? Do leave me-
" Ada, I aOiU not leave you till you hear
me-" was her reply; and taking my
hand. she drew me to her side.
" Lucy, poor thing, is an orphan" she
began. "Her father was humble coun
try clergyman, and died when she was
but four years old. Her mother came to
the city with her child to obtain work
and among her patrons were Mrs. Blan-
chard. Poverty and grief soon laid her
beside her husband, and in her last mo-
ments Mrs. Blanchard promised to take
care other child. Mrs. Blanchard I think,
only intended to give her very plain edu-
cation. and then apprentice her to some
trade, by which she could make a living for
her but, you know, she has no daughters of
her own, and insensibly the beautiful and
afTectonate child wound herself around
the heart Of her patroness, that the good
woman determined on different destiny
for her. She gave her all the advantages
of an excellent school, made a will, that in
the case of her death the. child would be
secured from want, and determined to
keep her with her as companion. Mrs.
Blanchard's delicate health made this the
more desirable, and Lucy, who was devo-
tedly attaced to her adopted mother, sew
ed for her. read 10 her, and nursed her
most tenderly. Horace and Lucy grew up
meantime almost like brother and sister.
"Last winter was year, Mrs. Blan-
chard's illness assumed more serious
form. she was confined entirely to her
chamber, and great deal of the time to
her bed. Lucy was her constant and on
ly nurse. Doctor Franklin. who had been
her physician for years, was himself ILL.,,
and not able to attend her but his son.
also physician. who was just getting in
to practice, came in his place. He is a
very handsome man. and remarkably
agreeable in his manners. Day after day
throughout the whole winter. his visits
continued. Lucy was always in the
room. 1t was Lucy who met him at
the head of the staircase when he came
in it was Lucy who took his directions
with regard TO the medicines /: it was Lu-
cy who again saw him to the staircase
L. S.....,l