The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-12-06
MORNING, DECEMBER G, 1861.

"Not just yet, mother, II you please; she
is very kind to remember me so."
Something in the tone Jared upon tht
listeners ear, for she said quickly
"You arc tired, dear II am afraid youhav,
been talking too much !" and her soft hand
was laid carcssingly upon the bowed head
But the emotion she had manifested wa,
now pressed back with firm hand, and Vic.
let answered quite naturally, denying the
charge. availcd myself, however, Of the
opportunity to take my leave. and stepping
out into the cool air, joined the throng oil
promcnaders upon the sidewalk. Mcchani.
cally l drifted with the tide until found
myself nearing the more fashionable quarter
of the town. In the broad bright squares
there seemed more OF the freedom of the
country, blent with the luxury and polish Of
the city. Herewere massy trees lining the
long avenues, and lamps twinkling like stars
from out their shade. From the open win.
dows of many splendid dwelling the sound
OF music and laughter rippled gayly forth,
and glmmer Of lace and satin curtains,
rising and falling with the pulse Of the
breeze. II was the hour when the world Of
fashion was wont to be stirring, and the "fa-
yorites Of fortune" sailed out to seek their
accustomed amusemcnts.
looked with neither envy nor dissatisfac-
ton upon the shapes of beauty and splcndor
that passed me by. But to my pleased and
curious gaze they seemed ntherj'to have gil
ded out from one Of the gay French prints
had seen in shop windows; exquisite in col
oring, and instinct with graceful life. Here
were costly cqnipascs rolling by, with their
naughty owners; now party of laughing
girls, talking aud gesticulating with their
pretty gloved hands. Again, a more digni-
fled group of elderly persons-stately in pa
trcian simplicity; and so, on and on, youth
and age, beauty and deiormity blending, and
swept downward upon the same uncnding
current, while the fountain in the square
near by, sprinkled its silver rain, and the air
was redolent of softened bloom.
At such times loved to think of Violet
of her modest loycliness lighting upthe dark
house with priceless lustrc; OF that life
spending itselfaway from the eye of the world
yet exhaling such heavenly sweetness. And
scanning with this thought the faces around
me, what iailings were visible in many whom
the world worshippcd! what pridc and van
ity, and sellishness, half yeilcd by tho en-.
dowment of rare comelincss No wonder
that from such excursions always returned
with warmer affection and admiration to the
obscure street, and my hidden Violet!
II was superb evening, and fingered,
10th to depart. Atlens,h some impulse rent
me to the Public Garden, which Ircmemberd
was open that night to tho people. Some
thing foreign and luxurious pcrvaded this
atmosphere. had read Of such places null
tiplicd in size and splendor, blossoming up
from tho heart of European cities, and it
was easy for fancy to conjure up in this sill
ycr light, the dream ola distant shore. Alb
sorbed in my own reycrics, leaned against
a tree-trunk, watching the glittering play Of
jet Of water, and with rather dim con.
scousness of tho movements around me-
People passed and repasscd my side. A few
idlcrs, like myself, lounged carclcssly by the
stone basin, and unquestioned in their quiet,
were left to oenjoy it. My eye was at length
attracted to the figure of gentleman, one
of two persons standing near. recognized
the peculiar elegance Of his slender, erect
form, and Us he turned it half towards me,
the Spanish darkness of his complexion. It
was DR.. Leigh, the young physician, about
whom the world were just now mad, the
world about-that is. The glitter of his
wealth, Of his titles, bought by q foreign
training, hls recent marriage with beauti
ful Jewess, which event in itself had been a
romance, almost tragedy. One or all Of
these fortuitous circumstances combined had
given to the new conner. a large share CT the
public patronage and praise. No one in
private life assumed less; tho Sphinx was
scarcely quieter or more puznling, to those
who would bc puzzled, but this manner SEEM
ed more habit of the man, than the phys-
ican. The runor Of his fame had reached
even the dull precincts Of our countins.room
aud l had persuaded Mr.. Grey TO- interccdc
with Violet. that he might visit her. knew
full well her aversion to the sight Of q physi-
can. SO many at an earlier stage Of her
illness had been summoned to her bedside,
eximincd her case, and then left with hope.
les negative shake of the head. With each
succeeding one, the gate Of HOPE swung
slowly open, only to clash again its golden
bars upon forbidden land Nor had |, in
this instance. any faith in a permanent re-
lief to her present difficulty. yet there lurked
in my heart more than had suspected, un.
til .rI. D..
To the general surprise Of her friends,
Violet consented readily to the proposition
made. and one day, about week previous,
DIR. Leigh had made his first call. What
transpired during that interview cannot
tell, even her mother was not admitted, un-
til the child herself had held long conference
with him. That he could do nothing for
her, she said quite calmly; but from that
time she spoke Of DR.. Leigh rs Of one who
had inspired her with strange confidence, and
dwelt upon the promise Of his next visit with
much apparent satisfaction. With the warm
days Of returning summer her strength had