The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-02-20

last the long duet was over, and the groups
round the piano moved their position. Net
tie stood up, Walter still beside her.
Her heart was sick with new sensation.
Never in his warmest moods had Wilson's
eyes rested upon her rs they now rested upon
Emily LOTUS, and when Mrs. sawyer took
her turn at the piano, Nettie saw Wilson
bend over the young lady with an earnest facc
and tender manner that cut her to the heart
like knife. All the evening he was beside
her, and the walk home was taken in silence,
This was but the beginning of sorrow. Day
after day, Wilson Rivers was the guest OF
the big house, and while Nettie, keeping
her heart still for him, spite of its pain, was
cold and distant to Walter, his attentions to
the fair Emily redoubled. They walked to.
gethcr, and rode. The long evenings, before
spent in the farmhouse so pleasantly, were
now lonely and sad for Nettic, while Wilson
was away at the big house.
Poor little Nettie her sweet face grew
pale over her sick heart; and if for an hour
Wilson's still gentle attentions called back
the smile to her lip it faded when he left her.
What were her modest charms to this DASH
ing, accomplished city girls? Nothing !!
Though he broke her heart, she found excuse
for him in the beauty Of her rival.
1t was late in the fall, and the LOTUS fam
ily had been some two months in Linwood,
when one evening Nettie passed through the
grounds, on her way from the village, home.
Farmer Holmes lived, Us did many others,
on the south side of the hill, while the shops
of the village were principally on the north
side. The path through the garden of the
big house was thoroughfarc for those pass
ing over the hill. and Nettie took it. She
did not raise her eyes, from long fit OF mus
ing +, till she stood in front of the house |;
the light from the windows, striking
across her path, made her look up. One
look, and she stood as If nailed to the spot.
1t was cruel scene for her loving heart
that was passing in that gaily furnished par
lor. Wilson was standing by the fireplace,
and Emily Lotus was before him. Some tale
of interest his eager lips were telling, for she
listened with flushed cheeks and quivering
lip, till he opened hisSarms to fold her in q
long, close:cmbrace. Then the door opened,
and the rest came in, Emily sprang to her
mothers side, telling some new found hap
piness, and as the group closed round Will
son, Ncttie with cry of pain, ran home
ward with fearful speed Home! home
to shut herself close in her little room, and
pour forth her bitter Noe IN choking sobs
She had so loved, SO >ffdsted him, that it
seemed as if she could not bear this'proof of
faithlessness and live. The long night passed
without one hour Of sleep. -
How wildly and blindly she had loved
him Many nights before she had lain awake
to think OF him but thenit was to recall
his soft, sweet voice,hs 1t murmured low Ca
dences of poetry, or in clear. clarion tones
taught her to sing some iavorite ballad,
prasing her clear birdlike voice. II was to
think of his goodness, his kind care in his
profession, and humbly to wonder how he
could love so ignorant and simple country
girl as herself.
Now, now, she felt bitterly that, while
she had been loving with all the fervor OF
her warm impulsive heart, hc had been trif-
ling, testing, perhaps, his powers of pleasing.
The morning found her pale and weary, but
with the mate prido of womanhood she rose,
resolved that he should not triumph over her
whom he had slighted and injured.
She was in the dining.room when he en-
tered and she fairly started when she saw
his face. All the gravity. the half sadness
which had always marked it, was gone, and
in its place shone joy that was radiant.
Never had his face lighted with such smile
as hc gave her then, crossing the room to
trke her hand in warm cordial pressure.
Can you give me an hour after breakfast" "
no asked; Il have something to tell you,
Nettie.'
Never had his voice dwclt with such ling
ering fondncss upon her name. Was he
about to make her the confdant Of his love?
She believed this yet she could smile and say,
certainly
His impatiencc to tell was as great as was
her dread Of listening, for ho hurried through
tho meal, and thon, not speaking of her un-
touched plate he took her little cold hand
and led her into the parlor.
.Nettie, he said, as soon as no had seated
himself beside her, Il am going to tell you
who am
Nettie opened her big, blue eyes.
YES he said, laughing, Il know! am
DR.. Wilson Rivers, medical practitioner Of
this lovely village Of Linwood; but that is
not all. My father died when was but ten
years old, leaving my mother widow with
five childrcn-two sisters older than myself,
one sister and brother younger. Between
this young sister and myself, there was the
strongest tie Of love, and we were from baby.
hood almost inseparable. When my own IA
ther had been some two years dead, my moth
er married again, and then my misery COM
mcnccd. cannot tell you all tho pcrsccu.