The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-04-18

make the rooms bri.h: and fragrant.
Nav took her first music lesson. and was
already promising to sing Let us love one
another. on Christmas D,v. at Which time.
her father wun!d he at h"nr. Ellen had 80
far descended from her cold heights Of
serve a. TO ask m. to learn her crayon draw
ing, and was a>'onisn.d at the artistic tai
ant she already exhibited.
/. One morning, when had been about
fortnight with them. Jane came to the Lreak-
fast table in her traveilin. dress. We were
all surprised-I most of all, for had 10 -d
the happiness of the children would win her
kindness also; but WAS mistaken. Where
are you going, aun,y :" asked Nav, her
blue ewes expanding with as'on,>hm-nt.
Miss jane d-i.n-d no answer. hut ate her
breakfa,t in unorokrn silence. then turning
to me-. announced her decision.
! Mrs. fl-ming, Won cannot expert me to
stay here content. when | see YOU daiiv un-
doing with all yonr might what have been
] labcrIng SD hard TO accomplish These girls
were growing up, in INV care. discreet, sober
and reasonable shut ont the vanitrs and
toili-s of the world from their knowledge
reared them in prudence and soberness. Bn,
NithuI f'WluE usuS' DTliiW Il StTdNvP N..f'
here, who il two short weeks could. tv her
willy softness of manner, win their f,o'i>h
Young hearts away from their tried friend.
and fill their heads with vanity. | vii! mt
stay where and mv teachings are ohj-ri.
of contempt. leave Won 20 yonr painting
and PLAYING, vour eins,n. and boJuet ma
king. | am not p-nniess. as Won probably
suppose. ] have still home To go TO. now
that am driven thanklt>>lr from THIS one"
NV err- filed with tears at these s-ornful
words. The children looked wonderinslv at
| me and at her.
Don't 90. auntv Mo'hrr doesn't wan.
YOU TO 20" whispered May. Ia: sweet l,iie
peacemaker.
Il don't know who drives YOU from here"
SAID Ellen. Sarrastica;ly.
jane. | wish YOU to stav with us" | said,
1T is risb, that |. Captain Fleming wife
| should be a mother TO his children. and take
their care and -dura,ion. into NV own hands
| meant to make them happy in their home.
| IN their studies. and to fir them for good ans.
useful lives You can help me in this work.
and vii! be your friend. Will YOU STAY.
Jane ?"
No. Mrs. Fleming I will not stav where
| am mere cipher. But. children. | do not
iesert vvn- Ii yOI are ever faihr,lesS. or In
'rou'l". will come TO vou. and you shall
have Hour home with NE a.ain.''
The :'a.e coach. which J .ne had secretly
ordered TO call for her. nox ratified up 10 the
'ioOr. and she took her seat in it, She gave
nod of freezing dignity to me. farewell
ot compassionate affection to the children,
,n'i then the coach drove awav
Iwas alone with home, children, g.;
peace.
CHAPTER III.
Six month. passed rapidly. an! how rie.s-
antiv NV vivid recollection of them t-,,ifi-..
As the Village schools taught hut little. aud
was fully rnmi"-f"nr Ia instruct the children
! myself. spent three hours of every morning
, IN study with them Two afternoons in 4
! week devoted to Mav's music aud E,i-n's
drawing: on the other afternoon. the, w.r,.
free to ?rarrire at hum-. or visit their ,illan.
/ friends. and r.rrivr visits I'm return. Our
evening. were spent in reading. and ina the.
three months OF that summ~r they gained
more intelligence than in wear. before.
Their interest in knowird re Wa aroused and
whatever they read was made subject Of
! free and cheerful conversation. thus fxiu-
important facts in their memories. ard tram
'ns their minds to ha'.lf> of a,,iv- thuunt.
! Ellen adorned the W alls Of our >i,riny room
an'i liftr library with S"vrra' very sinr rrav-
ON pictures. and Nav added TO our evening
readings the charm of her .w-c. singing
NJ Christmas time We cx' 'r-t-i Can't.
Fleming With what glad pride locked
upon my happy cronp. and thought of the
gratitude h., woull feel when he saw ,hrir
Improvement. and witnessed ,h.ir affection
for mv>'lt | locked forward with a beating
heart 10 the meeting.
1t was fortnight before Christmas. AID
We were alrra'!v deeply engaged in rrrpara-
fi"n TOR the merry SEASON Green hru,hs
with which 10 decorate the rooms wrr,. lee.
ing made mo fcstoon< and par.au.ls. ,u.l IN
slv corner. the Christmas tree vas aw,irins
IFS honr of triumph Ellen was hurr,,n, "a
hnlsh prturs of Santa Claus to ham, over
the Chri>tmas tree: and Nav was practising
ince>sanflv Let us love one annih-r' AT rh.
piano torte while lirtle Harry entered with
even greater zeal. il possible, into the prcna
rations for the fest vities.
1t was afternoon. and Ellen and hal
been discussing the propri-,y Of in,;,,p.
some friends 10 enjoy our Christina. Ey.
with us We were now in dallv expectation
OF Capt Fleming. aud every sound of car.
riaS" wheels made us rush To The window.
'fa'hrr Is come cried Ellen. as the
J sound OF wheels. instead of passing, rea.e.l
al our door. and We simultaneously Spran" M
and ran to the window. There. ind..I st,,i
the expected coach. but who was that o!d la
dv. with green band box held Il ,hrlv i'm her
arms. now bundins ont of the coach door.
sehn'n. sharp glance. np at the windows,
"hiie the coahmln took down her trunks.
III Is aunt j ,ne" said Ellen. with a long
s'"h of disappointment, and she locked into
NV fre inqnirinslv.
1T Is too bad, too bad |" said Nav. half
crying Tor her 10 rome and SPOIL all. inst as
we Were TO have such merry Christmas
well. meet her kindly and give her a
welcome, SAID. and by that time the h al
uo'r had opened. and Jane Fleming stood in
the midst OF us, receiving our greeting, with
kind OF grim smile. The Urls .livest.a her
OK all her many shawls and c,oaks and turs
and Harry drew a chair for her clo,c IN ,b,,
|, fire
As she warmed her feet at the CRATE, she
looked around her with singular exprcs>ion
OF pity. mixed with triumph.
nave Kept my promise. Children she
sa"l 4 told You If anything happened.
would come to YOU
lstarted from nv seat. and 2 sbndaer of
terrible forehodings passed through NE, as
remembered the promise to which she refer
red.
Jane Jane Fleming, what do YOU mean 3
| cried