The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-02-17

front. "Don't-don't ask me to see
bones tonight, nor" she added with
something like a twitch of pain, for it
was a trial-"nor the banjo-man. We
will give them up. Listen, papa, she
added; "stoop down again. / am
sure l should not like the banjo, nor
nor the bones"
My little darling, said he, don't be
cast down; we shall see about it yet.
Poor little plant he said to himself
she will be dried up frozen-with-
ered-if this goes on. Run up to the
drawing-room and tell them to get tea.
'HelenP he called ut,-Mrs. Bruce
had assembled just one hight,-'would
you mind coming here for moment? 2
Mrs. Bruce descended again, stately
cold. impressive, yet with more color in
her check. She entered his legal study
and the door was closed.
What took place within was not
known to any of the household. But
for Fairy Alice, who knew and could
interpret circumstances with a Won
derful intelligence, it was terrible
period, time almost of agony. Her
little heart huttered distressfully; she
was consumed with strange agita-
ton; for she knew well the unpleasant
conflict there was going forward in the
sacred study. A quarter of an hour
it was all over with the notion of the
sable harmonists. Already were those
diverting artists convulsing Nightly
Thousands; but she never thought o
those exquisite delineations with re
greet nay, even they presented images
repugnant and almost satanic.
Threo-quarters of an hour and tho
study-door opened; some one passed
ont with naughty, defiant rustic
The storm was over. Mrs. Bruce came
into the drawing with hot cheeks
and little Fairy Alice crept up to her
timorously The stately lady put her
by without word, went to the fire,
stood over it, and studied the Goals
with an intense earnestness, then
walked away, still stately. Thus the
sun of the happy anniversary set dis
astrously, this happiest day Of the year
For long after it was looked back to
with an uneasy horror and shrinking,
and if its image presented itself at
nightfall, was dismissed with some
lhing like a shudder
For it bore fruit Within day OIL
two after it was known that Mrs
Bruce was to make o journey to sec
her friends in London. To stay for a
short or a long time, indistinctly,-to
go speedily, and with as little delay.
No one Of the friends or acquaintance
guessed what was behind this journey
or what a pretense it covered. 1t was
only held rs confirmation certain of
the fact that Mrs Bruce was heart and
soul an alien, and was longing to be
with her English friends. 1t was
thought curious that she was to go
alone; and that Fairy Alice was to
stay with Mr.. Bruce. More curious
still was the fact that a female relative
of Mr.. Bruce's was to come into resi-
dence Immediately, and take charge
of the establishment until Mrs. Bruce
returned.
Mr.. Bruce pursued his law sheets
up as it were in strict confinement in
the sacred study. But outside, sad
the and solemn preparation went ON for
departure. There was much packing
to be done. To Fairy Alice some poor
pretense was kept up,-of this being
merely n temporary absence; but she
knew the whole as fully and complete
ly as though regular explanation had
been entered into for her benefit; she
had wonderful sagacity, and, as have
said, knew the whole That day week,
the day week of the happiest day in
her year,-was Mrs Bruce to set forth
upon her London journey.
Never was there such chilling,
hopeless week. 1t dragged itself by
like the last fatal days before an exc
cution. Mrs Bruce went about her
preparations sternly, coldly and aus
terely. Not a sign betrayed any
emotion. Mr. Bruce, the advocate,
was scarcely to be seen; he kept HIM
self fast imprisoned below, and took
counsel with his briefs. But there was
an intense weight of grief abroad in
the house, and it really did appear to
have fallen upon the little lady of the
mansion, who, by this arrangement,
seemed to have become bereayed OF
both father and mother and to stand
alone. Her little figure was surely I'M
equal to such premature burden