Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-09-23

TO herself that Mrs. Lothrop was truly pe-
: ouilar woman-more so than she had expect
, ed--an enigma that could not be made out.
Her uncertainty was not less regarding Mr..
HARDWOOD sentiments and intention towards
Edith That he admired her. was evident
lie rode, walked, and sung with her, and was
ever ready to attend to her, vet there was not
quite the emDresscment of manner she could
have wished-she sometimes imagined even
less than there had been at first She feared
too, he had made an impression on her daueh-
ters heart. She had noticed an anxiety TO
please him in her dress and actions that she
blushed on seeing him at any time suddenly ;
and adept as she was in art, showed ill-con-
oeaed pique, if he admired any other lady
than herself
The mothers highest ambition would be
gratited, could she see her daughter united
to him. His fortune, position, person. man
ners, public and private character, we're far
beyond her most sanguine expectations of
what Ediths husband would possess. All
that art or tact could do should be done to
attain the desired end
Mrs. Rathburn was gratifed at the interest
Mrs. Lothrop began to take in Willie. She
often entered the nursery quite familiarlv /;
and even Mr.. Kirkwood occasionally went in
-sometimos staying long enough to read or
relate story TO the invalid boy at others.
| just stopping to offer some book, toy. or fruit.
Poor Annie was not particularly pleased at
finding her place Of refuge thus invaded and
their coming was usually the signal for her
departure.
One day, she entered the nursery in haste.
and carrying a plate of swcotmeats for Willie
The moment that she crossed the threshold.
the change in her aspect was striking. All
coldnoss vanished Her whole face was
changed into perfect, living beauty, by the
expression Of solioitude and tenderness it
wore. Bending over Willie, she kissed him
fondly and said
" How is my darling now Is the pain all
gone did not moan to leave him so long
but Ediths dress could not be completed for
the party tonight, unless | assisted and
mamma's head-drcss had to be altered But,
see have brought something nice, and af-
ter you eat it, will tell you beautiful"
She paused abruptly, perceiving, for the
first time, Mrs. Lothrop, seated near the door
through which she had entered. In an in
stant Annie was her usual self again. She
saluted the lady politely, but coldly, and then
spoke again to Willie but the tender-heart-
ed boy was grieved and frightened at the tone,
so different from what it was a moment be-
fore and looking up tearfully into her face,
asked
"Am | naughty, sister Annie -
"No. Willie she replied, coldly, at the
same time gently, but decidedly, putting away
Lilly, who was trying to climb into her lap.
1t was not without some reason that Annie
relapsed into silence and GOODNESS in Mrs.
Lothrops presence.
6
she expected little. poor child and she
was so accustomed to see her sisters preferred
before herself, in every way, at home-but
the difference in the treatment of herself and
her gay, beautiful sisters, by Mrs. Lothrop,
was too marked for her not to perceive and
feel. She was not unused to neglect, but
this seemed to verge upon dislike and from
her fathers friend, it was harder to bear
Mrs. Lothrop could not be said to show af-
feotion for Edith and Eva: but she distin-
guished them by much notice. and sought to
draw out their ideas and opinions upon every
possible subject. But Annie she seldom no.
ticed in any way. 1t seemed like dream to
the young girl-the kind tones Of Mrs Lo-
throp's voice, the morning she had first seen
her; but then she knew her not-had never
seen her moro brilliant and attractive sisters
had never heard Of the unIoved and unlove-
ly Annie.
And the young girl encased herself more
strongly in her armor Of indifference.
But her greatest misfortune was coming
1t arrived.
Willie awoke one morning apparently bet
ter and brighter than usual and before night
he slept in death
The grief o. the family was great. Annie
alone was calm and fearless during all that
dreadful day. Once only her lip quivered
when the dear eyes, darkencd to the light of
earth, vainly sought to behold her, and the
faint voice gasped, with difficulty
Where's Annie; | want Annie"
She bent over him, saying something un-
heard by others, but which brought an angel
ic smile to the countenance of the dying child.
She wiped the death dews from his fair fore
head. and held the little hand till the life
beat ceased; then, still calm, she Strengthened
the limbs, closed the blue eyes which had
been wont to meet hers so lovingly, and fold
cd the pale hands over the stilled heart.
Even in her great sorrow-for she had low
ed her boy-Mrs. Rathburn forgot not to re-
proach Anne for her utter want of feeling
that she had not one tear for the darling child
who had loved her SO dearly. And Annie
heard her with an unmovable countonance
1t was after the household had retired that
the young girl sought, alone, the chamber of
death and then and there, the long pent-up
agony burst forth-oh what an agony of re-
gret-for the lost one, as the recollection of
his lovcliness, his hundred endearing ways,
his childish prattle, came over her
With her present sorrow mingled the mem
ory of the past-all bitterness, save this one
drop of sweet-all darkness, save this one ray
of light, now extinguishcd and looming up,
with too well-defned distinctness, was the
future, with its darkness, gloom and desola-
ton.
II was her hour Of utter abandon Hot,
gushing tears, such as she had forgotten she
could she'd, seemed 10 have no power In ex-
haustini the force of her sorrow She was
not startlod-she was too wretched to be
startled at anything-when hand was laid
ON her head, and a voice said
Child Annie, where is thy umbrella p
Hast thou not yet found it, If not, find it
now, and hide thysolf under It. There is no
refuge like to that it will yield thee"
The door closed gently behind the person;
But Annie was scarcely conscious of that, or
the voice, or the touch but the words sank
deep in her heart. They came home to her
,psr e.