Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-11-20
Lucy Hartley.

Alien.
These were the last words | ever heard
uttered by the lips of my best love-
Her hand trembled in mine for mo.
ment, for a moment / looked into her
fearful face, and then, as she turned from
me and fitted away down the road, did
not stir from the spot for hours. The
moon came up, and looked down upon
me in regal pity. / thought the stars
looked like the eyes of angels sparkling
with tears. / lifted up my arms, and
yearned for the great calm sky--it seem.
ed so far from sorrow. o, the memory
of that night influenced my whole life.
] was sitting alone in the great arm
chair before my library fire one evening,
and absently running my fingers through
my hair, which was streaked with gray,
when a servant entered softly and laid
the evening mail upon the table. / did
not move, or look up. The thought had
come to me an hour before that it was
upon just such a night nearly thirty
years ago that had lost my Laura. No
sharp sorrow came with the thought
only calm, secret sadness. | had been
true to my FIRST love. The telder arms
of no other woman had been clasped
around my neck, no other lips had kissed
freshness and joy into my heart. BY
the dying light I looked thoughtfully at
my face, and form, reflected in the long
mirror upon the opposite side ofthe room.
had been a handsome man in my
younger days. My hair was bright and
curling, ard my cheeks fresh with health.
How strange it all seemed to remember
as a reality, when l had become so used
to the pale, grave, face reflected by my
own
People called me odd and eccentric
They thought it strange l should choose
to live in my great rambling house by
the river with my housekeepers and SER
wants, when / might exchange the com
Panionship Of my fire and my cat for
that Of beautiful wife and gay little
children. otter watched the bright, !
curious, eyes Of young girls watching me
from over the way, as | walked among
my flowers in the garden, or wandered |
through my orchard with pruning knife
in my hand, But they always seemed
shy Of me. Once couple of young
misses fingered a moment at the gate.
and looked longingly at a grape vine be-
meath an old oak, but when l called to
them from an arbor to come in and see
the garden, they started, and declined
with gentle thanks as they tripped away,
So lived alone in my gray, vine cover
&c old house, and received no young
from one years end to another,
except when my young brother Leslie,
who was at college, chose to spend his
vacation with me. He was a handsome
BOY, and a good one, though little wild
There was always tender place for him
n my heart, for he was the only relative
knew in the wide world, and | had had
he care of him from his childhood
The thought Of what my face had been, .
made me think of his. 1t was almost
ime for me to see it again. His spring
'acation was close at hand-perhaps ,
Iuite, for it was nearly the middle of 7
Nay. ! thought how fast the time pass >
d.
What are you dreaming about, broth y
r Allen? 2
started, and looked up. The dear 4
oy stood beside me, with his jaunty bag q
\ his hand, and his beautiful chestnut
air falling about his bright young face. Il
lis clear hazel eyes were full of grave =
'onder
Il was wishing for you, 1 replied, as i,
e bent to kiss me.
He tossed his cap upon the sofa, and, :,
inging himself down upon The hearth 81
lg at my feet, rested his arm on my ~
nee, and commenced gazing thoughtful in
into the FIRE. / did not disturb him. =,
r | knew his mind too we'll. After a /,
lille | lighted the gas, which was within =,
y reach, and commenced looking over :,
y letters. There were perhaps half a +,
ven. Among them was a small white
lvelope, directed in a flowing, graceful -
md. With feeling of curiosity tore !:
open, and at sight of the contents ut
red cry of surprise. 1t was written :
: Laura Hartley :.
1t contained only few words. She II
as poor and friendless, and dying. Her hi
Isband had treated her unkindly, and
e had not lived with him for years. an
le bad child Would 1 make the w,
IT moments of her wretched life happy en-
promising to care for it when she was be
al IL mos N ,;t;6,I roo,o.t IT, f.