The mountain Democrat., 1863-01-17

out; the woods, except where the avenu
pierced them, were dark; but neither wa
colder U0S dssksS, tk%N the heart an,
hopes or Grace. It~4s t9e habit At Pine
vile, IS it is at many other places, 70
parties to 90 about, on this evening, from
house to house, singing, which they cal
letting in the New Year. As Grace 50
sewing she suddenly heard voices with
out; but she was in no mood for such
visit and she rose to draw the curtain, no
without secret fear, for the cottage wa
lonely, and she knew no one who woulC
be likely to come singing at their door
unless rude boys or ruder men. He
alarm was increased when she saw, thro
the latticed EiDdow. . face that was un
known to her, and she gave . scream. A
that moment, however, another step wat
beard, and deep voice, that made her
heart leap with a sudden bound, was
heard, speaking authoritatively, even an
grily.
Instantly there was knock at the door
and the sane FOice cried
1T is I--don't be afraid, Gsacn'
With trembling hands she opened the
door. The men were disappearing down
the road-the little gate into the Wolcott
woods was open-and up the avenue,
(Which led to the halD she thought she
saw sleigh, with a muf1ed figure or two
in it.
%, Grace, how could you p were the
first words of the young man, as he took
her hands.
She blushed crimson, but could not an
swer. What did it all mean ? Richard
gave her no time for thought.
we expected you, till night set in, he
said; and then the judge, finding you did
not come, ordered me to start in the sleigh
and bring you, rating Fanny soundly for
having forgotten to ask your mother,
which is the reason, he says, you didn't
come. So Fanny is out in the sleigh,
waiting to help you dress, and the house
keeper comes to stay with your mother,
il Mrs. Dean thinks it too cold to 20 out
to night
What could Grace sayf Before she
could reply, Richard had darted back to
the sleigh, and was leading back Fanny.
Mrs. Dean, when her wonder let her un-
derstand how things were, said she was
too old to leave . warm fire at such an
hour, and 50 the housekeeper was called
in. Grace, still bewildered was soon
ready, thanks to the nimble fingers OF
Fanny and her own simple wardrobe ;
and, with beating heart, took her place
in the sleigh, which moved merrily off in
the moonlight and under the still, grand
trees.
The judge came down to the from
door, to hand Grace out of the sleigh
and himself led her up to Mrs. Wolcott
who rose and kissed her as if Grace had
been her own daughter. Miss Red6eld,
standing aIoof, looked daggers at the new
conner. Poor Grace did no. dare imagine
what it all meant. 1t seemed SO strange
to her to. be moving among that brilliant
thrOng, leaning on Richards arm.
The pleasant remarks Of her companion
had the effect to restore her, in some
measure, to herself, and she was almost
surprised to find herself talking so freely
to Miss Landsdowne, whom they met near
the door of the conservatory, to which
her partner soon led her.
The perfume OF the rare exotics greeted
her here like the breath Of summer. At
the farther end Of the room they stopped
to admire brilliant flower, when Richard
said:
4 have a gift, Grace, which I want you
to accept from me, and be held up dia-
mOnd ring; but first will you give me the
hand upon which l would place itf'
Richard! Mr.. Wolcott! she exclaim-
ed; you are not in earnest p
4 never was more so,' he said. will
you take the ringf'
But your parents ? she asked, half be-
wildered, hardly knowing what she said.
have their sanction, dear Grace, and
l await yours, and he held up the ring
with questioning gesture.
Grace extended her hand; he pressed it
to his lips, placed the ring upon her fin
ger, then drew her head to his BOSOM -
My poor little lamb, he murmured draw
ing aside the veil of curls that hung over
mcr tnroooing Orvw-'now | have !;S5: !;S1:
to take care OF you. Ithas made my heart
ache to see you looking so pale, and to
think of you toiling so patiently
Grace could only listen pasSively; the
change was so sudden that it overpowered
her; she could hardly realize that she was
betrothed to Richard Wolcott.
At length she said
They will miss you-had you not bet
ter return to the parlors? will stay
here awhile
He smiled and replied, 4 want to pre-
sent you 10 my parents first
'Ol cannot see any one tonight y she
exclaimed. Indeed | cannotr
You needn't fear he said you will
receive a daughters welcome And he
led her back to the parlor. The judge
and Mrs. Wolcott were standing together,
and though everything around Grace ap-
peared to Aoat and blend in inextricable
confusion, yet she was conscious that they
welcomed her to their hearts and home
and she heard Mrs. LAndsdowre say-SO
you will be cousin G.ace. Well, I shall
love you deArlyl'
And then came Madge and Fanny, with
their warm hearts and grateful welcome.
But everything seemedsto Grace like g
dream, till she found herself again in heI
little room, Richard having driven heI
home himself.
And that was the way for Grace, that
TIE New YEAR WAS LET IN.
PURE. AIR.-We know of nothing Sc
sensitive to bad odOrs as cream. 1t viii