Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-07-20
CHAPTER ".

Mr. and Mrs. Fessenden were becoming
quite alarmed on account of Elma's pro-
longed stay, and were about sending for
her, when the door opened and she appear
cd before them radiant with the light of
joyful hope, her eyes beaming as they had
not before for many a long month We
were about sending for you, Elma, said
Mrs Fessenden, rather reprovingly. "But
have been SO happy in the society of
dear, ve1y dear friend, whom I met TO-
day BY accident, that l forgot entirely that
you might feel uneasy at my prolonged
stay" was Elma's reply, as she tossed off
her bonnet and looked so much like her
self ere touched by the hand of sorrow.
"Why, Elma," exclaimed Mrs. Fessen-
den, taking her eyes off from her book,
come here and tell me who has brought
back as if by magic, the rose to your cheek
and the light to your eye?"
''Nay introduce them to you, Har-
riet? 2"
Certainly, if it is not Walter Parker"
Suiting the action to the word, she boun-
dcd to the door and ushered in Mr. Vinton.
saying with an arch smile, e Mr.. and Mrs.
Fessenden, allow me the privilege of intro
ducing you to Mr.. Vinton."
Mrs. Fessenden gave half serious,
half comical glance at her, as she approach
ed with charles, saying, g You forget, Ell
ma, you have no right to drag along that
gentleman in such an unmerciful manner
towards me.
''But will have right soon, for if you
please, Harriet" and then the tears ran
down her face to mingle with her smiles,
1--WE will have wedding here this even
ing. 1t is the anniversary of our divorce,
and we will celebrate it by a reunion
and do not distort your face by endeavor-
ing to look so grave and wise, Harriet, for
| hno,0 you will not oppose it. Indeed we
perfectly decided the matter as we came
along"
Perhaps" said Mr.. Vinton, addressing
Mr.. and Mrs. Fessenden, You may not
thing I am again worthy of her, after so
easily giving her up once, but, indeed,
dear friends, [ have endured a long and
wearisome exile, an exile made bitter and
tedious by self-reproach. Elma has freely
forgiven me my errors-will not you, her
kind and generous protectors, do the same?"
They grasped his hands warmly, and
while tear stood trembling in her eye,
Mrs Fessenden said, Yes, take her, and
may you both have learned from the past,
ever to forget and forgive.
There was solemn, quiet wedding that
evening in Mr.. Fessenden elegant parlor,
but no invited guests. The occasion was
too holy and tender for any unsympathi-
ling hearts and eyes-and the still young
and beautiful bride in her simple white
robe, was really moro lovely than she was
at her first bridal, in her lustrous satin,
bedecked with jewels. There were pure
and sad memories in her heart, and as
second time she placed her hand in Charles
Vinton's, and promised to love him, tho'ts
of their lost babe, of their once happy, bnt
now deserted home, came thronging in,
and she yearned for the light and beauty
of her native skies
A sunny morning! all nature is joyful
the insects hum, the murmur of leaves,
flowers and running waters make the coun-
try holy place, full of the immediate i'm
press and presence of Deity-but the city,
too, is gladstone, and the sunlight sheds
q beauty and joy in the humble room of the
poor sewing girl. and on the little rose tree
which sheds its fragrance around, sweeten-
ing and hallowing the hours of labor 1t
shone, too, most brightly into the long I'M
opened parlors of Mr.. Vinton's splendid
mansion, and among the many plants and
flowers in which Elma had so often taken
delight. Old Matty, servant of Mr.
Vinton's, who had been in the family ever
since his boyhood, and on that account
was privileged character, was very busy
in busting and arranging the ornaments
and furniture, assisted by Lucy. another
servant, who had lived with him since his
marriage. Matty went to the door and
said " Thomas, it is time you started for
Mr. yipton and his lady. The steamboat
has come by this time. /" Then turning to
Iuev she said in trembling, sorrowful
tones " How can we ever welcome another
mistress here? / know Miss Elma loved
Mr. Charles dearly after she left him, for
one dav she came from Miss Fessendens
and said Matty, oh how low and mourn
full her voice did sound, Matty will you
let me 90 into the parlor p the door was
-. ,,,,;1a closed. and I saw her looking at