The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-03-10
Che familp Circle.
EFFIE MAY;
OR
LOVE AND DUTY.
by FANNY FERN.

lhe moon looked down upon no fairer
sight than Eflie May as she lay sleeping
Oh her little coach that fair SUNNI night;
SO thought her mother as she glided
gently in to give her a silen. goodnight
blessing The bright flush of youth,
health and hope was on her check, the
long dark hair lay unbound in masses
about her neck and shoulders now a
smile plays upon the red lips, and the
mother bends low to catch the indisilnct
murmer. She starts at the whispered
name as if serpent had stung her;
and as the little snowy hand is tossed
restlessly upon the coyerlid, she sees,
gllitering in the moonbeams, on that
childish finger, the golden signet of be-
trothat Sleep sought in vain TO WOO
the eyes Of the mother that night. Re
proachiuily she asked herself how could
have been so blind (bui then Ellie
has seemed TO me an only chidy but
him! oh no, the scihe-cup will be my
child's rival oh no. it must not be-
Ellie was wilul and her mother knew
she must be cautiously dealt with but
she knew that no mother need despair
who possesses the confidence and afiec-
ton Of her child
Efiic's violet eyes were open to gree,
the first ray of the morning sun as he
peeped into her room. She stood at
the little mirror trying with those small
hands TO gather up the rich iresscs that
seemed so impatient OF confinement
How could she fail to know that she
was far !-she read it in every face
she met but there was one (and she
was Fastening TO meet him) whose eye
had noted with lovers pride every
shining ringlei, and azure vein, and
fitting blush; his words were soft and
low, and skilfully chosen and so she
tied with a careless grace the little straw
hat under her dimpled chin, and fresh
and sweet and guileless as the daisy
that bent beneath her foot, she tripped
lightly on to the old trysting place by
the willows.
Stay hand is laid lightly upon
her arm, and the pleading voice Of
mother (dearer than lifr) arrests that
springing step.
"Eific dear, sit down with me on this
old garden scat, give uP your walk for
tbs morning | slept but indiiirrenily
last night, and morning finds me Ian.
guid aud depressed"
A shadow passed over Efiie's face.
the little cherry lips pouied, and a re-
bellious feeling was busy at her heart,
but one look ia her mothers pale face
decided her, and, untying the string, Of
her hat, she leaned her head caressing-
I ly upon her mothers shoulder.
"You are III, dear mother, you are
troubled !" aad she looked iuquiringly
Up into her face.
~Li.ien 10 me, Fife, have a story
TO tell you Of myself When / WAS
about your age formed an acquaiiance
with a yoans man by the name Of
Ai0lph lie had been but - short
lime IN the village. but long enough 10
win ibe heart, Of half the young girls
from their rustic admirers Handsome,
frank and SOCIAL, he found himself
everywhere = fayoriie. lie would III
by me Tor hour, reading our iavoriIe
auihors. aud SIDE BY side we nmbied
through al Tie lovely path. in which
our village abounded Ny parents
knc~ nothing 10 h,. di-ad,anisge, and
wcrv rqaaily charmed a. myself with
his cultivated Refinement of manner.
add ibr lode unable charm NiiL which
E h. invested every iopir, grave or gay.
uhirh J, suited hi. mood 70 diseass.-
Before ! knew II, M heart was no
. nseF Ia ny osH keeping. One ailer-