Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-11-28


one side and gave me pocket-Sook containing
FIVE crisp, new, ehundred.dolar bAnk-notss.
f" can't do as much for you, Frank, as Wis
could" he said but | want you should hay
enough not to be ashamed where YOU are going
or mortify your friends. You must use what yo
need Of this TO be comfortable this winter, an,
spend the rest Tor wedding fneres." And then
suppose, sudden thought Of what that weddin,
meant, and how it would tskc bis only daughto
away from him into quite another sphere Of life
overcame him, and his eyes filed with quick
film Of tenrs, and he kissed me with lips tha
trembled O little, and hurried away. He did mol
come in sight again but MY mother stood in the
door as went down the walk, and turned back
and looked at her, with the November sunshine
touching her hair where the silver threads were
growing thick, with the patient, always tender
smile on her gentle lips, and her eyes seeming
to follow me with hope and blessing. II
had known that ! should never see her Just so
again, | wonder if would have gomez That
memory Of her will never hde So her face will
smile on me when heart ard pulse are falling so
| think, will lis emiling welcome me when the
new life is "come in the old lfe's stead"
enjoyed my visit very much, after the pain
Of my trst parting from father and mother had
worn away had never seen large city before
You can imagine how wonderful it all was-how
stared at the richly-dressed ladies', the splendid
carriages and the bright silks, soft aces, and mar
velous b0nne S in the shop windows. Then the
concerts, and theatres and operas, the constant
round Of seeing and hearing and enjoying, quite
took my breath awsy ! thought had never
hean 40 bapov I1avo and evaripoe aasroad Iita
a bright, swift, gltterlng panorama and nights
was too tired 10 think. Tom was proud Of me
| believe. ! had a fresh, unworn face, and gem
uIne interest in everything, which charmed, per-
hips, more than greater beauty and less fresh
ness would have done and be liked to zee opera
glasses turned towards me. began to perceive
ju't Whist my life would be with him. There
would be nothing quiet or domestic about it-no
intimate union Of our souIs-nothing Of that sa-
cred oneness which makes Of marriages something
holy as sacrament and lasting as eternity but
We should be young and glad and merry togeth-
er be would be fond and indulgent. While the
sunshine lasted, glyer butterflies would not Hut
ter how would il be when storms should beat,
and our gossamer wings be drenched But
did not op to think Of that. With the gayety
and the glitter believed myself quite content.
And SO the esks went on, and il was almost
Christmas. We we're to have a family party,
rse, and festal time looked forward to it
III with eager, expectant delight Just touched
with one thought of sadness-for it would be the
irst Christmas had ever spent away from home,
1t was Monday the 22d, and through the early
winter twilight we sat together-Iom and his
sisters and talking over the coming Thursday.
Then we oil went up stairs to dress, for we were
going to the opera that night. | had just fn-
shed my toilet, remember, and laid my warm
shawl on the bed, and was taking last look in
the glass when heard the soor-bell ring loudly
never thought that the summons could have any
with me, so went on studying the
ACE which looked out at me from the Psyche
mirror. | did not know then that | should
never see that face again with such fsstll
brightness surrounding it as it then wore but
ooked at myself with happy girlish delight an
innocent vanity. Bright cheeks, coral lips, great
lark eyes, heayy-droopug halr-ihey are all
,hanged since, but | remember Just how they
,parkled then. had drawn the bunch OF ,carle!
serauium flowers which adorned my braids lit
lie to the left; | was all ready, and began to
wonder whether he rest were, when suddenly
ny door opened, without the ceremony Of a
Inock, and a startled face ooked in
"Some one has come foi you from home, Miss
Frances said the girl-one Of those who had
leen with the family at Ssyyille through the
summer" Mr.. Coman. viii you please come
Town.
knew instantly that John Colman was the
messenger of evil tidings. Either my father or
mother must be dead thought. Somehow |
got down stairs. John wasalone in the drawing
.oom he met me az the door, and made me sit
iown before he spoke.
at ia not death, Frank, don't Iremble SO" he
aid, sootbingy. "Your mother was struck with
paralysis yesterday morning but there is no i'm
mediate danger, and she may live for years. But
We knew you would want to come home"
"Oh yes, yes I" cried wildly "when can
,oP Why did ever cave her ''
You could not have saved her il you had
,een there. Don't make it harder to bear by |
You can 20 tomorrow morning,
( you could be ready then. The cars leave at
sight. will come for you"
| will be ready, never fear" said, drearily,
Sith wild longing to start, to be on my way,
uch as no words could hare expressed.
Just then they all came in-Mrs. Esierey, the
hree sisters, and Tom-the Squire was away on
business. looked at them with sort Of won
Ter at their mirth and brightness as il they be-
onged to a life with which had no logger any
hing to do. But they grew sober enough when
hey saw my face, and John Colman standing
here, John expained-he was careful TO spare
ne every unnecessary word-and then, at once,
hey were all earnest in their sympathy. Tom
,ame to my side. think he took my hand, and |
1ut his arm round me, bat hardly know. lie
vas like shadow to me just then. Ot course
hey wanted TO send the carriage away, and stay
1t home But it seemed to me could not bear
hat. logged so TO be unmatched and alone.
If they would only go ?" sighed.
My lips scarcely formed the words, but John
them.
al think" he said quietly, "that she would be
more comfortable il you were to go. She will
,sar il better if she s left Aone.'
"0h yes" found voice to say "forgive me
II seem uugratenl, but must be quite by my
olf :" and then my awful grief shook me in il,
,asp, as q reed shaken by the wind, and |
'ushed away from them all, and up stairs.
Somehow John settled it, and persuaded them
~. heard the little hustle in the hail. and then
he carriage drove away, and then l heard a
quick, firm step along the sidewalk Johns step
;oing to his hotel. Oh, how thankful was to
eel quite alone at last 1t seemed as il hand
which had choked my agony to silence hitherto
vas taken away. could grieye now as ! choes,
lud the very violence Of my sobs and tear, began,
lfter while, to console me. In an hour the
empeE OF emotion had spent itself grew
,am, and began to pack my trunks Soon re-
nembered something had left in the drawing
room, and went down to fetohit There sat May
.lone-her face pale and stained with tears
When she saw me she came and took me IN her
arms.
al did not mean to disturb you, Frank" she
aid. "Mr. Colman thought it bes t you should
not know any one was here, and lpromi,'d to be
quite still. | could not 10 there, among the
| ghts and the gay people, and think OF you break.