Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-01-02

mcY At this moment the stranger entered.
She turned her wild, frightened eyes toward
him "Mamma does not speak to me, she
said. with pitihl earnestnoss, all her timidity
lost in greater terror.
II was very light in the room now. The
yonng gentleman camo forward and looked at
Mrs. Wood. SO did Alice. When their
eyes met they told the same story: "Dcad
dead DEADH'
Just then the village clock struck twelve.
The year and the life of Mrs. Wood had gone
out together.
Five years have passed II is nigbtfall of
another dying year, and the bells are ringing
out joyous welcome to the new one near the
large gray mansion, in the study of which
Paul Mellen sits leaning over a volume of
Blackstone.
The sweet bells break upon his ear, and
down into his heart, like a stirring rhyme,
and he tosses down the large volume impa-
tently, and PAGES up and down the study, for
those clcar-yoiced bells have struck new vi
talty into his heart. Look at him. he is lit
tie changed. The whole face has tone Of
deeper manliness; but the clear features and
the proud, sweet mouth that were his moth
ers arc the same.
"How lonely the old house will be all to-
morrow he muses., "with nobody but the
housekeeper and the domestics If Alice
were only here, her blue eyes would light up
the stately gloom of tho old rooms, and there
would be sunshine all over them.
81 know the reason she has declined com
ing up here TO live since she graduated last
fall and may be the world would think it
strange, as we are only cousins in name.
at is five years this night since her mother
died How well | remember it all-the little
room lighted by the red fire flames, and she
who sat by 1t, with the smile of an angel on
her dead lips
"Alico will think Of it, too, poor GIRL !
know she will tonight; and her schoolmates
cannot chase the shadows from her heart. Am
not her nearest relative, and should mt ] 20
to her; / ,oUi
1.-The train starts in about two hours, and |
could reach the village by midnight aud 60
up in the morning and pass the day at the
school. for, of course, they'll have a holiday
and Paul Melen hurried out of the study.
and told the first domestic he met in the hall
TO have a carriage sent up from the depot at
precisely half past SIX
why Paul isn't here He must have
stepped out while was up stairs, murmured
Alice Wood. as she entered the private semi
T
would know her at once, though five years OF
earnest study have given more thoughtful,
romaniy character to the sweet face that beams
out upon You in its fair Saxon beauty, mind
ing you of the paintings which have hung for
centuries in dim, old English corridors.
GLOW kind it was in Paul to remember me
to-day" murmurs the girl, crossing her hands
behind her, and walking up and down the
room. GLOW his coming has chased away all
the shadows that this day always brings TO
my heart! Dear Paul my cousin, my broth
cr 1t is too bad didn't know he was com
3 s..-. I nnsif nave nad sonie -Vew-l \ car 8
gift for him. If l only had anything
"You have, Alice, something that will be
more precious than all else in the world.
said Paul Mellcn's deep voice, as he came out
/ from the alcove in which he had listened tc
/ Alices monologue.
"Why, Paul who would have believed you
were there with an embarrassed laugh and
kindlng checks
/ Yes ! was playing the eaves-dropper for
I give me- it is the first time. But you haven
answered my remark about the gift -
"What is it, Paul; You shall certainly
have it"
He laid his hand on her shoulder. 1T is
yourself Alice"
She looked up wildly for moment, but she
could not misinterpret the question of those
eyes. Her head dropped. the tears filed her
eyes, but she laid her hands in Pauls, saying,
not to her betrothed but to her Father in
heaven, Would that the gift were moro
worthy Of him.