Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-08-21

on and the storm increased, wet, weary,
and disheartened, returned home. L
Iv.-JUsT WHAT DID NOT EXPECT.
Having put on my clothes, and drank
a cup of tea, was sitting by my com
Portable wood-fre, thinking of poor Fred,
and wondered how the drama would end,
when was again summoned by mess.
age from his laudlady. He had not re-
appeared but, if it would not be too
much trouble, she desired me to come
down as soon as possible, She having
something of great Importance to say TO
me.
1t was no very agreeable change to
kick Off my warm slippers, and pull on
my wet boots again; but did not hes-
tate, and, in few minutes, was once
more at the inn. Mrs. Skewry met me,
as before, and drew me mysteriously into
the vacant dining-room.
The good woman had to announce the
arrival of a strange lady in the evening
coach. She was young, and delicate, and
timid, and, what was remarkable, she had
evidently made a long and tedious jour
ney, and was travelling alone.
But the strangest thing of all, added
the landlady, " she wanted TO know-and
it was Almost the first thing she said after
she'd had time to ketch her breath and
look around, for she seems dreaful trou-
bled about something-she asked if there
was a person named Cotton stopping
here. OF course l said there is, and a,
nice a young man l said, as ever wish
ed TO see. She was all in futter at
this and when l told her Mr.. Cotton
had had very bad turn to day, and had
gone out without saying where he wa.
:, going, and how we'd been feeling con
;, cerned about him, she sot right down
l. and looked so white il seemed | could
push her over with only touch of my
S finger, as if she'd been nothing but {
piece of down As soon as she coulC
l speak she asked if knew what was tn,
J matter with him. l said l didn't but
h -..>~l,e. &c Won aud sold unI rlrahahlv knew
U Mt of i l..
! with him all the afternoon. She aske
where you lived, how far it was, and if
l; person could walk there. She didn't sa,
Is she wanted to see you, but / knew wei
al enough she did, and the poor thing look
n ed so crazed and distressed l determine,
ID to send for you"
ID Astonished and overjoyed by this reve
y Iation, l sent Mrs. Skewry at once to tn
y young lady's room with message ar
nouncing my arrival, and asked if sh
would see me.
d A few minutes later l entered ii
IN public parlor. A beautiful young gi
ch stood before me, pale, agitated, anxiou
l could not be mistaken-those earnes
re deep hazel eyes, that pure brow, tbi
lovely mouth and exquisitely rounde
en- chin were the the truthful counterpart
certain dagurreotype the devoted Frar
lat carried secretly near his heart, and
te which had enjoyed sundry glimpses
sa- his generous and communicative moods
ny As she stood regarding me with ha
sp hopeful, half-frightened looks, advan
ear ed, and with spontaneous sympathy al
ii cordiality, offered her my hand.
May say that know you, said
{" and call you Julia ?"
ne, Sir-you-you are too kind" S
ifi- exclaimed, blushing and futtering.
zen Not too kind, for l am his frier
zzy Sit down, Miss Ringwood-l am rejo
wo- ed that you are come"
les, "Tell me-tell me" she began.
the a will tell you every thing; but
in seated. You look very weary. DO /
my be in the least alarmed at Fred's absen
ure Those dreadful letters almost killed h
soul poor fellow p
dly Miss Ringwood clasped her hands "
the a look Of distress.
But he has recovered from the {
rev shock. / know just how he feels he
gone to walk off the excitement Of
spirit he must soon return. The W
Let in the rain viii do him good. Poor
hen low it will send him into the third i
My, yens to find you here p
and could not help coming" she repli
hope it is nothing wrong"
"Dear Miss Ringwood, it is the tr'
will and noblest thing you could have don
"Oh you think 50, Sir Z"
mot a do"
" But the world 1' she exclaimed
hese don't care for that, though. You b
as seen those letters You say they ain
nd il killed him-but he could not suffer n
FIRE than | have suffered The mon
my tI.,, ,yay,e cent p,v eyes we're oraned