Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-09-14
IN Miseellaneu Us.
The Dead Letter.
CHAPTER NH.

went to Mr.. Argyll's to the Christmas
dinner. was surprised to meet Eleanor
in the family group; for, although she now
that on this holiday her own loss would
press upon her with overwhelming weight.
Instead of this, SAW Il light in her coun
tenaucc which it had never before worn :;
her face totally devoid of SMILES or color, yet
shone with serene and solemn luster. the
most touching, the most saddening, and Yet
elcyating of any expression had ever seen
upon human features. My intense sympa-
thy with her taught ne how to translate
! this new phase of her mind ; felt that, in
those mystic vows which she had taken up
on herself with spirit, she had derived Il
comirt that she .joycd in the conscious
ness that she was now and from hencciorth
eycrnlorc the bride of him who waited for
her in the mansions .of the Heavenly coun-
try. This lie was transient to be meek
" borne little while alouc-then she
would go to him who awaited her in the
only true and abiding home. |, and on
~ looked upon her as the wife of Henry
Moreland as sacrcdly as if he were her iv-
ing partner. only was fitted, by the
power of my own passion and suffering. to
appreciate her position, aud the feelings
with which she now returned to her friends,
to play such Il part in life rs duty still
pointed out can not explain with what
an emotion of reverence took and press
ed the little. attcnuatcd hand which she
placed in mine.
l here has been, as yet, no change IN
Elcanor's dcmeauor toward me. Whether
Imagined it in the rest ot the family, or
whether they had changed, this much was
still certain, and gave me the deepest pleas
urc could now know Eleanor was the
same to me as she had ever been-the be-
Migrant, gentle sister who lovedand trust
ed me as Il dear brother-morc dear than
ever since | had given such proofs of my
devotion to her cause-since she could
not hut see how my very heart was wrung
with the pain which tore her own. AS
long as she continued to treat me thus, rs
long as could give her one smallest atom
of pleasure in any way, felt that could
bear ANYTHING from the others. Not that
there was anything to hear-nothng-
nothing. except that indefnable air which
sensitive spirit feels more kecnly than an
open slight. The new year was now ap
DTOacllluH ~ NbuRl Dt tht ibVst
time for entering into new business rcla-
tions; !cl: that if Mr. Argyll intended to
offer me the partnership. he would do it
tLcn. If he did not--l must look out for
myself. | mnst go away.
The Christmas dinner was the sumptu-
Gus feast which it always had been, the
old housekecpcr having taken it into her
hands. She, tojuage by her provision,
felt that such kind of papstaking would be
a relief to the general gloom. No guests
were invited, of course. 1t was touching
to see how the servants persisted in plac
ing every Imaginable dclicacy before Miss
Eleanor. which she could not. by any pos
sibility, even taste. A cup of coffee, with
a piece of bread, made up her slender
Christmas feast. Yet it was a joy to her
father to have her at the table at all. Ma
rvs aifectionatc glances continually sought
her face; parent and sister both telt rellcv-
ed and comforted by its tranquil express
ion.
= James, too. was cheerful; he would
have been brilliant had an opportunity af
forded. |. who read him tolerably we'll,
knew that it was tho sight of Eleanor =
tranquility which inspired him-and that
he did not understand that sanity resigna-
ton as did,
In the course Of the conversation around
the table, which did my best to make
cheerful, happened to speak of Lenore
Burton. 1t was not the first time had
mentioned her. always with such cnthusi-
asm as to excite the interest of the ladies.
Mary asked me many questions about her,
finally turnin. to her sister, and saying:
Nou were always SO fond of children,
Eleanor. May send for this beautiful
little girl to spend few days with us -
Certainly, Mary, if YOU think you would
like her company.
DO you thiuk her father would trust hel
to us a little while, Richard!'
He can be persuaded. without doubt
After we had left the table. Mary came
to me, with much animation, to whisper
her ideas about the proposed visit; she
thought the sight of an agreeable Lowell!
child about the house might interest Flea
nor more thon any thing else possibly
/ could, and would, at least delight her IA