Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-04-24

: my face towards the window, tina
t she might not notice the expression
} Of my features.
well, take it altogether, Bessie
, it's a queer piece of business
| did not answer, only let my
: forehead droop low upon the win
dow seat. Seeing this, mother came
up to me, and rested her hand upor
my head, and said:
Poor childP
, How from my heart | blessed hel
for her quiet sympathy. The mex
two weeks that followed, were sac
and tedious ones to me.
Every way that | turned, news o.
John Blaiklie's approaching marri
age with Cousin Fannie was poured
into my ears and even Fannie her,
self, who had always had been very
prudent about it, seemed pleased in
telling me of the arrangements that
were going on up at Johns new
house--of this piece of furniture he
had selected, of the carpets which
had been left to her judgment ex-
clusively, and of the beautiful toned
seraphine tn at Johns uncle had
presented him for the little parlor.
You will be very happy said
one day, in answer to all this.
Fannie looked up suddenly into
my face. l thought a quizzical ex-
preston drifted across her features.
How pale you look, Bessie, she
said. WHAT'S the matter with you p
Nothing, | am sure, | answered,
with some little show of spirit.
l am glad of it; but, indeed, you
do look downright ill. Won't you
60 up to the new house with me to-
night-perhaps that will make you
feel better. believe you keep too
closely in the house. But you need
not shake your head; you viii go.
John will be there, and we will have
a pleasant time of it,
And l went in spite of myself, al
though every step towards the house
that was once to have been mine,
was like very torture to me. Oh,
what a pleasant house it was and
how simply and tastefully furnished, |
from the cunning, neatly grained
kitchen, to the well-carpeted par
lors ! Everything was just as l had
planned it, hundred times, in a
laughing, jocose way to John. Had
he, indeed, remembered it all on
purpose to torture me with it now?
1t seemed so.
DO you like the house, Bessie 2
he asked, as if divining my inmost
thoughts.
Very much, indeed | answered.
Everything is neat and tasteful. Is
it to early to wish you JOY? 2 | asked,
feeling that he was expecting me to
say something.
No, not too early, but it may be
too late.
| looked up into his face. Its ex-
preston puzzled me.
Il do not understand you very
clearly | said. But never mind |
added, noticing that Fannie had
gone from the room. Il have an aw-
jul headache tonight, and hardly
mow what am saying
Headache when all the time it
seemed as if my heart was breaking
Where is Fannie p | asked, a
moment after, seeing that she did ,
lot return.
Gone homer he answered in the
coolest tone imaginable.
What, and left me here p
Yes, ard left you here! Are you
rightenedY
Not much-my poor head will
TO-
wait a moment, if you please,
le said, OBTAINING me. Il have some &
hing to say to you t
Something to say to mel Did he t
now that every word that he spoke !
0 me, pierced my heart like a barb =
d arrow?
This house is yours, if you wish !,
t Bessie he began, in a slightly :
embarrassed way. | am afraid you
lade hard decision in casting me "
# forever. 1t seems to me that /
now your heart better than you {
now it YOURSELF k
| looked up into his face. 1t Il
eemed to me that l was dreaming. {,
told him SO, between my sobs and g
ears. h
God forbid 7 he said, taking both il
~ hands in his. But the past q
lmmer has been a wretched reality !,
f doubt and despair to me. Tell :
le, Bessie, is it ended here {?
could not answer him in words, "
nly go closer to hisside, and nestle 9
~ hands fondly in his. Z
This shall be your home then,
essie, he said, kissing me. But,
my d e ar, that l can d
OF allow my house to go with fa
ut an encumbrance, as the newspa-
= :.