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


tha, old schoOlroom for day; and II
were to teach for her, could think, wheI
night came, / d made her happy, i'll hadn
been so myself. r,s,g va =
Twill, too that's settled now. Grac'
Hammond, you don't go on that sleish'nt
party to-day! And the young girl perora'
cd this decision by bringing down her hane
cmphatically on the window-sili.
Grace Hammond's monologue must ha''
given you glance into her inner SELF read
er; and can only outline for you' yer!
briefly her mental character.
She was the only child off wealthy farm
er pettcd and spoiled from her infancy.
But she was ardent and impulsive, with o
deep, loving nature, which no extraneou'
circumstances could entirely change.
She had her faults, and they were many
but her heart-and 1t is a blessed thing
when you can say this Of man or woman
her heart was true one. ..r.-.
Matte, darling,'-so wrote Grace Ham
mond ten minutes later,-' you arc going on
this sleigh ride, so just don't say another
word about it, Cousin Charley told me Mr.
Hunt sent you an invitation an hour ago
and I've taken q notion to play school ma am
for you to-day. I've been on scores sleigh
rides this winter, and ! think 1t will do as
much good to drop the mantle of your dig
nifty on me to-day, as it will my giddy sell
to assume IL. ,lA.' "''
So throw of that school hood from your
brown curls, my darling, and call up the
old smiles to the soft bloom of your lips, the
old light to the summer blue Of your eye
and in all the annals of youth, love and
sleigh rides, may there be no page so bright
as the one this day shall write in the history
of Matte Palmer and Weston Hunt, most
fervantly priys - GRACE HAMMOND.
Not going, Grace! Why, you're surely
not in earnest and look Of mingled cha
grin and disappointment clouded the fine
features of the young man, as he turned
them on his companion. , "'.'
YES, I am, Charley You see, I've made
an engagement for the day which renders IT
quite impossible for me to go. I'm sorry,
but it can't be helped Spite Of her efforts,
there was little thread Of disappointment
running through the studied calmncss Of the
speakers voice. A fiddle on your engage
ments, Grace. Why this will be the great.
est sleighing party Of the season. Come,
now, don't think for moment of staying
at home. We can't do with out you at all
so 60 and get ready in hurry, for We start
at ten. There's good girl
Poor Grace; it was very hard to refuse
the pleading of those dark, handsome eyes,
for Charles Munson was more to the girl
than many cousins indeed, he was rather
nominally than really her rclative-altho'
some marriages between members of their
respective families gave the young people
the privilege of this appellation.
Charley, do not urge me. / am very
grateful for your invitation, and it pains
me more than you can imagine to refuse it
But | am compelled to do this
IfGrce's manner was cold, it was because
her words cost her such an effort.
Very well Grace. OF course, l shall not
press my claims any farther. Excuse me IT,
in my desire to secure your company, l have
importunate. Good morning.
o lifted his hat with his natural grace
the old frank smile was not on his lips
Q left her.
There bc isIcertainly offended with mo,
ew il would pe so,' murmured the girl,
he sank back on the sofa, while the
brimmed over her brown lashes, fol
pc was making no light sacrifice this
ming. .'.' ....
In almost sorry sent Matte that note,
it's too late to recall It, Charley'll take
Jane Morton with him, I know and 1t will
bo great triumph for her to think he's
sighted me- And the fair, naughty face
of the doctors daughter rose up before the
young girl, while sharp pang Of jealousy
quivered through her heart.
But 1t was wearing towards nine o'clock,
and Grace had but little time for reflection.
Il must get Tom to take me over in the
cutter > she murmured; can easily gain
mammals consent, she is 30 kind-hcartcd,
Matte is such favoritc with her.
lness glancing at the small china clock
he mantle, / must be of in twenty
ltes.' t-..-. .....
iracie, Gracic, how shall thank you?'
race stood at the window, robed for her
to the school, and waiting impatiently
he sleigh to present itself at the front
when these words, whispered, because
tears that lay behind them, reached
ar. ALLY ...... I...I
turned quickly. Why, Matte, what
rought you over herc?' arf.
couldn't go without thanking you.-
iacic, you have made me SO happy ;
now Mattie's arms were round Graee's
while the great sobs were shaking her
}, and tears streaming from the large
mellow eyes. l .t.
20 You're a real naughty GIRL Grace's
tone was half expostulatory, half scoldins,
Now you'll spoil that charming face OF
yours, after all my palms., and she stroked
the rich brown curls that fell out of the
black straw bonnet. .U... r.."
DO you know you're going to pass this day
with the only son Of a. millionaire, and who
by this invitation, gives very strong evidence
q m n -