The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-09

blessing that never filled them. And some
how. that invitation was such mockery t
me ; for you see dear, ! was growing NOR
bid, and thought how they would oil 6
OF light-hearted and happy, leaving M
choked in by the bare walls Of the old school
room. Well, I sat down and wrote my re
grets with steady hand, but, oh! will
such heavy heart. Just rs I had finished j
your note came-ohl Grace, how shall
tell you the restT tl s.'.
by saying nothing about it, Mattic.-
And now, do you 60 straight home, anc
dress yourselfnicely as possible, for the ride.
There was a quick rain Of soft kisses on tn
damp cheeks of Matte Palmer, and Gac'
Hammond was gone. i.a.s' .
i rm not one of those, reader, who believe
that the "good doings' always brings a
once its own exceeding great reward; bu
rather that it is oftimes blessed legacy
which the present bears through darkness
and sorrow, to dover the future. AND
therefore, ! cannot assure you that Grac,
Hammond passed an especially pleasant da!
in the old red school house, which stood a
the intersection of the four principal stage'
routes from Meadowbrook. .or-
lknow that once during the morning q
sudden mist dampencd her hazel eyes, 70,
the wind brought the gay rhythm Of tn,
sleigh bells to her ears, and she heard the
joyous laugh Of the young party, as II leap.
cd out full and rich, on the frosty air.
For moment the oaken desks, tho long
benches of black, brown and Aaxen head,
swan before her, and an 81 wish 1 was
with them !" rushed involuntarily to hel
lips. But the after thought followed quick.
ly, " am glad Matte is there a o.. :.
And when the work was done, the last
scholar dismissed, and the short December
day reaching out its cold arms to the night
Grace Hammond knclt down in that little
school room, and thanked the Great Father
that He had given her strength to make
this sacrifice that she had lived His great
royal law, in loving that day her ncighbol
as herself. i..
1t was a merry company the great parlol
of the old hotel framed in that evening"
Sweet breaks of laughter, the effervescenc'
of youth and glad spirits, camc over ros.
lips, and bright eyes glanced, and graceful
figures luttcred about the long, old-fashion
cd room. Hi '.f''' '
Don't you think it very funny Grac,
Hammond isn't here, Jane?' asked q young
girl, as she came up to the corner where tn
village belle sat, her head leaned GRACEFUL.
down to some complimentary speech which
Charles Munson was that moment making
her.
'Well | don't know And the lad,
twisted her diamond ring round her whit
finger. Il presume she would have come
had she received an invitation
There was quick, half imperceptibl
curl of the young mans lip, for notwith
standing his atIront at her refusal, Grac
Hammond was to his heart what the haugh
ty lady at his side could never have been.
Il had the honor of inviting her myself,
was the reply that well.nigh sprang to hi
lips and, with all his chivalry, it was exceed
ingly difficult to suppress it.
But Matte Palmer had heard oil this a
she stood near, leaning over an engraving o
rustic life, on whose naturalness Mr.. Hum
was descanting, and her face flushed eagerly
as she turned toward the trio, and her sweet
earnest voice answered:
.Grace remained at home to take charge
of my school to-day, so | could come here
1t was very, very kind of her. . t.
Charles Munson's proud face bert OF
Matte look she could not interpret; {
look of mingled light, gratitude and tender
ness which she had never seen there before
He understood it all now-the sacrifice sh,
had made, and the pain it had cost her
and looking down in his heart, hc felt fol
the first time, whose face shone there, seren'
and holy, and that Grace Hammond was hi
souls election.
No wonder his companion repeated he'
question three times before he heard her.
80 you prefer school teaching to sleigh
riding, do you, Grace? You know Ialway'
thought you something of blue, but new
er supposed you would carry the matter tC
such lengths.
1t was the morning of the day after the
sleighing party, and Grace was leaning ove'
the rare exotics which occupied the deep re-
cess by the sitting room window, now peer
ing into the rich heart Of a half-opencd mos
rose, or cautiously lifting the delicate Oeil'
of the clematis blooms, sprinkled like snow
fakes among the dark leaves. She lifted
her face from the flowers, among which II
was half concealed.
'why, cousin Charley, good morning :
Who told you had been teachingY
mo matter, now. You needn't blush so
prcttily about it, though you were very
naughty girl for not telling me the truth,
and letting mo go of offended with you.'-
And he laid his hand on her shoulder, and
looked fondly down on the dropping face
which surprise and embarrassment was in
carnating with bushes.
'0f course, couldn't tell you my mo-
tives for declining your invitation, cousin
Charley, she said unconsciously pulling of
the geranium leaves, and scattering them
on the carpet. 1t would have looked quite
too much like sounding trumpet in my