Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-02-13
And Paul promised.

= y
solemnly that you win persevere through
every obstacle, that you win not give up
the search, till YOU have seen Alice, till
you have done this"
And the early setting daylight looked
with sweet, sad smile into the chamber
and fiickered over the proud head of Paul
Mellen as he bowed it to that solemn
pledge.
The sick mans head fell back, slight
spasm crossed his features, and the day
light and the life-day of Willard Mellen
went out together.
1t was the last night of the old year
cold and and clear and bright with stars.
The wind was intoning its hoarse burial
service over the bleak commons, and the
snow had lain a deeper fold on the root
of the reddish-brown house. Inside the
drift-wood fire was rushing and reeling
up the black lips Of the chimney, and fl
ling the room with its beautiful wine-like
glow, just as before.
1t was very late, but Mrs. Wood still
sat in her great armchair, and Alice at
her feet and looking down into the
half-lighted room, the angels saw a third
standing very near them; there was love
in his eyes and smile on his lips as he
leaned over Mrs. Wood. o, is it not the
will of the All-Father that Death always
should meet us thus
I am very cold, Alice is the fire
going out?"
The girl sprang up. 90, no mamma
/ brought in six six large armsful from
, the wood tonight, Wen soon have i
warm enough;" and she heaped on ;
fresh pile of sticks, and then, in the brigth
r er light, turned to her mothers face.
+ A change had come over it. For thi
: last two or three days Mrs. Wood ha,
D been growing feebler; but Alice did no
dream that the fading eyes and trenlblin.
/ tones indicated that the parting was clos
Z at hand.
She drew the old shawls CAREFUL,
q around her mother. Z" How l wish W
5 had a candle, mamma p sighed the CIR
h That day she expended the last Ger
4 which the sale of the miniature la
g brought her.
There was a loud knock at the door {
: that moment. Alice started, but he
= mother did not hear it.
/ The girl groped her way through th
d little entry to the front door and opene
e it. A young man stood there. She sar
the outlines Of his tail figure and clea
D. features in the dim starlight.
Does a Mrs. Alice Wood resid
r here p
} Yes, sir" The astonisIsed, hal
d frightened girl thought of the unlighte
is room, and stammered out, "If you hay
any message L will deliver it to her. 81
II is very i'll"
r But must see her. ! have som
/ thing Of vital importance to commun
N cate to the lady"
., Poor Alice All the pride and del
-e cacy other gentle nature reyolted at ii
" confession, but there was no help for
n and it came at last, with break Of tear
L " We hare no light inthe house"
No light l'' What a tone ofastonisl
10 nent duplicated the girls words '.StaJ
there is a lantern in the carriage; l W
id be back in a moment :" and the straug
hurried out into the road.
lg Mamma, mamma, it is very 5tran,
ed "a young gentleman has come who i
Sc sists upon seeing you. He has gone f
/. a lantern. Who can it be p cried t
Is, excited Alice, as she returned to
nd mother.
But there was no answer. The VIII
", face rested, as Alice had left it, again
ny the chair back.
" Mamma, mamma, why don't 3
sr- answer me z" At this moment the stra
he ger entered, she turned her wild frighte
ad ed eyes toward him. Mamma de
i not speak to me-" she said, with pitt
ny earnestness, all her timidily lost in
IN greater terror.
ne Il was very light in the room nc
go The young gentleman came forward a
he looked at Mrs. Wood. So did Ali
lily When their eyes met they told the sa
lat story Dead! deadi DEAD p
ler Just then the village clock sirg
twelve. The year and the life Of d
my Wood had gone out together.
IS Five years have passed. It Is mig
am fall Of another dying year, and the b
tell are ringing out q joyous welcome to
ler, new one, near the large grey mansion
the the study of which Paul SIellen
her leaning over volume Of Blackstone.
The sweet bells break upon his {
and down into his heart, like a stir