The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-15

ings, so said the sweet, grave mouth, tb,
dark, earnest eyes, with their keen glance
and in the strong outline Of the clear.cu
features lay the expression Of power, whicl
would inevitably bc felt. had Il fallen to tht
lot of the humblcst. Years Of study, an,
the culture which travel and society bestov
the namelcss refining atmosphere Of afflu
ence-iate had so added to his souls birth
right of genius, that, in the man. these wer,
forgotten, as the mere composite elements o
character. Looking at him, only salt
mentally:
What grand, strong nature is this I!
audbly I apologized once more for my un
seasonable call, and gathering my shawl a
round me, with q movement Of departure
SAID:
Il must trouble your kindness yet farther
I am a stranger in Ridgeton--a temporary
boarder at Rock.hrm. Will you permit
one of your servants to return with me?
shall. in future, hesitate before yielding "a
my own instincts, they have SO betrayed
me-
A slight pause, during which the gentle
man seemed irresolute, for what cause
could not imagine and, with sudden i'm.
pulse, | said, rising:
Il have not told you my name. lam FL
inor Herbert, OF B.
A shadow-the shadow of q memory-Hit
ted over his countenance, when he replied
as simply as had done:
And am Richard Eyeleth this is my
home, Miss Herbert
Then we shook hands, as we might have
done under ordinary circumstances. and say
ing gayly.
YOU will trust yourself to my protection
for the remainder of this evcntiul day! lie
hardly waited for my assent, but fastened
away to order carriage, and prepare for
the drive.
While awaiting his return, I stepped to
the threshold of the drawing.room, through
whose open door vision OF light and luxury
wayered-mirrors that reflected and multi
piled graceful lorm and glowing color
treasures Of art, in many rare shape, re-
producing the dreams of the past. Then
caught nv own image flung back from the
opposite wall, and directly behind me the
tall figure of Richard Eveleth, as his eyes
once more met mine in the mysterousdspths
Of the mirror.
Beyond the casual survey Of a stranger,
that swift. searching glance, pierced the pres
ent, written in the sunlight Of nineteen sum
mers, to grasp ut some former history, ans
wcring to his own yet, what experience in
that free, happy girlhood, could echo ever 50
family the deeper chords of a life which had
known sorrow, the spirits discipline which
nothing can avert F?
:" am quite ready TO attend you home
but it gives me great pleasure to receive you
us guest, Miss Herbert turned rs the
low musical tones uttered these words, and
expressing my thanks and anxiety to reach
the farm MS soon as possible, my new friend
for such hc appeared to me led me again
into the night, which lay silvery and silent
without.
How drcam.likc appeared the events OF
that summer day, faded into starry close
Threading the mystic avenues by the side OF
Richard Eycleth, the dreaded stranger OF IN
hour before, thought of Madge and Alice.
wondering and anxious at home, and what
remarks would probably follow my sddden
appearance in " unlooken.for a manner,
while mischicvous longing seized my fancy,
to make full confession of the curiosity ielt
by us all. and, in my own case, - singularly
gratifed, as to the surroundings Of Eveleth
Park. But not now. | was too weary to
converse and still whirlng through the
mazes of that dream which EMBODIED me, we
nearcd the familiar lights of home.
" You are very kind, but cannot thank
you tonight us | would" This 1 said rs
Richard Eyclcth lifted me from the carriage,
and, still supporting me led Inc up the steps.
Z" L am delighted to have been OF service,
he replied, I" but beg you to feel under no
obligation to me. am ~ much recluse
when in Ridgeton, consider myself in debt
to any occurrence which calls me out OF my
At that instant Mrs. Ellery appeared with
eager welcome Tor the stray lamb, whom her
tender anxetics had already consigned to the
horrors of some unmeEtionable fate,
"Wby Miss Ellen, dear" she joyously ex-
+" is it really your own sell fa-
ther and the yonng gentleman have gone in'
to the woods again. and Miss Alice and your
cousin could not wait for them to come back,
and have gone across the lot To meet them.
And now this gentleman ~
"Mr, Eyeleth. You have not forgotten
me. Mrs. Ellery 7"
The yellow flame that 1ickered above him
shone full on the speaker, and 1t was pale
and agit,tcd, while that ofmy quiet hostess
grew flushed and surprised, as she answered
slowly. :,
"No. remember you perfectly, MIR.
Eseleth and you rescued Miss Herbert !
How very strange? Will you walk int"
Z" Not to night, thank you; was just
about asking the young lady's permission to
call and inquire in the morning and she
will tell you, 1 presume how VIZ chanced to
meet"
Witha few courteous words, in answer to
nv invitation, and parting bow and smile
10 each, he rode away, and without speaking
we watched his iorm passing on into the
darkness. Then turned slowly, and laying
INV hand bescechingly On hers, | said
!. Mrs. Ellery. YOU must and will tell me
how this mystery, that envelopes hicn"'u
Eyclcth, concerns me Or mine
/" Sometime, perhaps, Miss Ellinor' she
crovely assented; al have not met MIR.
Eyeletb for ten years, and no has altered very
,rcativ since then. think, however, that
6e will prcler to tell his own story, and you
hcs, wait 10 know him farther; Your curios-
;,v will then be satisfied, doubt not.
silcnced. II not quicted in my repressed
longing, repeated the events OF the lew
bo,,l, s,st and from the changing express.
ion of my auditors sountenance. judged
,L,, AN emotion far deeper than could have
been stirred by that simple story. was wax
ing up busy memories in her heart. Ihe
fluiter and rustic Of crinoline. quick loot
ster, and blending voices, suddenly inter.
rupted our words. A messenger, dispatched
from, the house, had oyertaken the weary
and heavy y-hcartcd seekers, and they were ro-
turning with spirits infinitely relieved. or
the embraces and questions and hurried ex-
plantations that ensued. | will spare the read
er detailed account. Suffice Il to say that
my adventures were listened to with unbound
ed enthusiasm, and Alice and Mudgc could