The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-07-04
Volume IS.

AANA heSS "e' l~@sS ss SNN-"-t ---~
those deep, dark eyes moist with pearly
tears.
l saw that her heart was deeply pained;
that yelling from 'memory's fount came
painful remembrance, and truly penitent ]
said:
Forgive my thoushtless words, and
promise never to raise the veil from this
picture, nor pain your heart by my queS-
tions.
An intense smile stole over her pale fca-
lures, and kissing my cheek she murmured,
Dear child; perhaps some day may lift
the veil and tell you ALL Then turning
away to hide her tears, left me standing be-
fore the veiled picture.
Il was rather curious how came to be a
dweller in the home Of Mrs. Thornton. Two
years ago, when but fourteen years old, !
came TO New Haven to attend school, and
soon after, my father leaving home for Eu-
rope, where he expected to remain three
years, intrusted me to the guardianship Of
Mr.. Howe, an old friend Of his college days,
II was at the house Of Mr.. Howe that first
met Mrs. Thornton. She went but little into
society, and my guardians was one Of the
few families she visited. Her pale, express.
i've face attracted me, and then, too, there
was an indeiinable something in her dark,
liquid eyes, now 50 sad, and now glowing
with an intense smile, that awoke an answer
ing echo in my young heart. She always
called me to her side to ask me about my
studies; and when new book was an.
nounced which she thought would be suita-
BILE for me to read, she placed il in my hand
with my name ensraven upon the fly leaf in
her own handwriting. Was it strange that
my heart warmed toward her; and that her
coming was looked forward to with pleasure,
or that l often begged for the privilege Of
visiting her in her quiet, pleasant home
Ny visits there were not very frequent; and
when there we sat in her boudoir, which was
fitted up with artistic taste, and having never
been admitted to the library l had never seen
the veiled picture.
had pleasant home with Mr.. Howe's
family yet it was a glad surprise when he
said could board with Mrs. Thornton, If
wished. and thought that l could be happy
there. Mrs. Thornton had proposed it, as
Mr.. Howe's family anticipated being absent
from the city most Of the summer; and the
following Saturday removed to her home.
1t was my first holiday in my new home,
aud had gone to the library with Mrs.
Thornton to select book, when, on passing
around, my eye fell upon the silk drapery
shading the walls in the furthest corner, and
was about to draw it aside, when her eIcla
nation prevented. had promised not to
look beneath the mysterious folds of tha,
silken veil, yet l was not satisfied; curiosity
prompted me to try to catch glimpse when
Mrs. Thornton was occupied, but honor for
babe.
Summer and autumn passed, and the long
winter evenings were spent in the cosy, cheer.
fsl library; and, though cast many fur
tive glance towards the veiled picture, I dared
not question Mrs. Thornton, and began to
despair of the dawning Of that day when she
would relate the history Of the picture.
1t was mild evening in spring, and we
were sitting before the grate in the library,
I watching the fast dimming Goals that had
burned low, while Mrs. Thornton, witt
closed eyes, sat near, in the easy chair. Ny
reverie was broken BY the tremulous tones Of
her voice, saying:
Lillian, do you remember your motherT
Then l answered that, though I turned
leaf after leaf of memOry's book. yet could
I find no record Of mothers love. She died
when was about two years old, yet my faith
er had been kind, and, as far as possible,
filed the place Of both father and mother
My childhood had passed happily my faith
er was both friend and instructor, and my
first great griet had been when l was sent to
school, and my father sailed for Europe.
WAS your mothers name Lillan?' and
there was something in the tone Of her voice
that startled me.
Her name was Flora-Flora May. Wa,
il not sweet nameT
Very pretty and the glowing intensity oI
her eye, as met its gaze, made my heart
throb with strange sensation.
Il can't tell where she was buried. Once
when asked my father, he said 1t was far
away, and we would 60 to the place Of my
birth when was older. My father was &C
lonely after mothers death that he cold biz
home in New York and removed to Ohio
| have no recollection Of my FIRST home, bu,
shall ask my father to take me there before
we return To Ohio
And your father loved his wiieT
what q ,transe question: | said. Ye,
she appeared to have spoken without thought
If he had not loved her, do you think h'
would have remained true to her memory fif
teen yearsy
Il have headache, and shall retire, Mrs
Thornton said. rising; and coming to my
side, she kissed me tenderly, and with
aushed cheek LEFT the library.
For long time sat gazing into the dyinl