Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-24

into the room again, leading the three
children. I feel now the chill of her
presence upon me.
The three ran into their fathers arms,
and embraced him affectionately, and, as
he caressed them in return, perceived /
that there was a fountain of warmth in |
his heart, which could reach it, would
be enoagh to shield me from cold and |
darkness forever. This show of passion
ate fondness made me glad, and, going to
his side, tried to win the notice of the
children to myself
1t is your new mother" said he.--
She has come to take care of you when
I am gone to sea again. Ellen and May,
go to your mother"
May, a pretty, blue-eyed child of ten,
came slyly toward me, and kissed my
cheek but Ellen, the oldest, merely
gave me her hand. Ellen seemed to
have imbibed something of her aunt's
icy manner, for she sat aloof and watch
ed me coldly. The little boy now lifting
his head from his fathers shoulder, and,
seeing that May stood by me unharmed,
ventured to approach me.
Come to me, Harry said Miss
Fleming, with frown.
Was his name Harry? caught him
to my arms and held him closely, so that
he could not escape to his jealous auut ;
and I thought, in my secret heart, that l
would make him like the HAIRY / had
lost. In an instant, the feeling that l
was stranger had vanished, my heart
had warmed so toward the little one
whose auburn head nestled in my arms.
My husband looked pleased and smiled,
giving his sister gratifed look and I
observed the shadow of a smile on her
lips, but it faded again as she glanced at
Ellen. When the clock struck nine,
Miss Jane rose and led the children to
their chambers. bade them good night
as they went out, but noticed that Ell
len made no answer.
The next morning / made business
of going over the house, and examining
| -, oonron;o1oa. The Gr.,f etoy, y,Do,, +bn
broad, gloomy staircase chilled me; but
when, after visiting every room, sal
down in parlor again, was almost dis.
couraged. Such dreary, disordered
house / never saw. In every chamber
the curtains hung over the windows like
, shroups, and the air was cold and damp
, as dungeon. There was dust on tht
walls, on the windows and the furniture
there was gloom in every corner. Th'
, parlor, which might have been delight
t full room, seemed like a sepulchre. Th'
furniture, as well as the pictures, wer
e covered with canvass. A locked book
case stood in recess, and locked pian'
i. was by the opposite wall. / asked ittl
t May, who had kept close by me all tn
J. morning, why this was so.
"Aunt Jane doesn't like music" sh
r said; " and she keeps the book-cas
/ locked, because she says we must nc
. read books until we are older"
+ "And why is the furniture all cover
ed?"
IS The parlor is scarcely ever opened
:, answered May. Aunt Jane wants
~ keep it nice"
! Well, May" / said, 60 now ar
= ask Aunt Jane for the key of the bool
= case. want to see the books"
: She ran quickly and returned, folloV
ed by Miss Jane, who delivered up Il
, keys to me with dubious kind of grac
= L hope you will lock the book-ca
when you have examined the booE
:" ma'am," said she, +" don't allow Il
children to spend their time in light rea
r ing"
ne What are they now reading?"
lei asked.
ue She disappeared, and opened t
bookcase, which / found to contain
I'm excellent selection of books. The b,
of poets, the best historians, the best nov
mt its and biographers, were there, MAXI
,ly library small, but of rich value. 1t W
he the first really pleasant thing l had fou
ras in my new home, and sat an hour
he two, glancing over one volume and {
! a other, and re-arranging them on
aes shelves.
ay, Suddenly, Miss Jane looked in, and
ind moment her face was pale with indigl
es. ton, for there sat little May on the c
me pet, buried in charming old Engl
by annual. Miss Jane took two steps
ward, and snatching the book out of
ter child's hand, threw it on the table, Il
his led her by the shoulder out of the roo
ms / was mute with amazement at I
ned rough government at first; then spr,