The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1867-10-15

lou received nay bote asked, IN
a low voice
= did, she answered ooldly, and
sent the book
"But there was no word--no mes
sage with IT,
II DO not see, Doctor Dome, what
answer you could have expected 10 such
a note, she replied, her cheek flushing
aud her blue eyes flashing haughtily
upon me. And then she took her low
or's arm and walked away with him,
and saw that daring the rest OF the
evening she studiously avoided me.
eWhat need TO proceed with my sto-
nv? For week or two longer | con-
tinued TO meet her continued TO per-
severe in my endeavors 20 gain a word
with her in private, but finding myself
still treated with chilling coldness, | at
length awoke 60 the cruel conscious
ness that ] had been deceived in her.
And SO / left her, and tried TO forget
her as her heartlessness deserved. l
went away, / travelled all over Europe.
l returned and devoted myself to the
study and practice of medicine; and
since the day parted from her--now
thirty-fiye years past--I have never seen
her, and never heard of her, except once
when was told that she was married.
Here Doctor Donne paused, and there
was brief silence, Helen's eyes were
glistening through tears. Frank and
were silent. Aunt Lottie was pale
quite pale, and leaned back upon the
lounge with dreamy, faraway look, as
though her mind had transported itseli
into the midst of the scenes the doctor
had been describing
"Cruel- heartless! wasn't it aunt Lot
tie p said Helen at length i'm a low voice
of sympathy and girlish indignation.
'My dear" said Aunt Lottie-and
here she glanced as if inyoluntarily, at
Doctor Donne, and it seemed to mead
dressed him more than she did Helen
tiny dear, it is scarcely wise or just
to Judge always from Appearances =
Much unhappiness is caused by slight
Observation-Disclosures want OF perfect
confidence between two parties; and
often the balance of life's happiness
turns upon single threada look or
word misunderstood, or trifing mis-
take unexplained"
'But in this instance what mistake
could there have been ?" questioned
Helen.
Aunt Lottie raised her mild blue
eyes to those OF Doctor Dome.
For thirty-six years, she said, in a
voice that, though perfectly calm. yet
tremlbed shghtly-''for thirty-six years
you have done her injustice"
She reached hastily behind her and
took ON her lap the little writing-desk
which was her constant and cherished
companion.
She unlocked it with golden key which
she wore attached to her chatelain, and
opening small drawer, Of the existence
Of which / had never befor been aware
though / had often explored the desk
drew hence an old, worn, and yellow
paper, and carefully unfolding it, held
it close to the fame of the lamp on the
table, leaning forward, l saw that in
the heat of the lamp there came forth
upon the discolored surface a faint, blu
ish, ghost-like shadow of written words
and Aunt Lottie, with sharp cry, drop
ped the paper from her trembling
hands.
Then Doctor Donne-his lips com
pressed, but his eye eieming. He tool
the paper, read the few words in faded
black INK, and then the ghost-lke writ
ing of six-and-thirty years ago. Calm
" refolding the paper, he turned his
eyes upon Aunt Lottie, like one in {
dream.
"And so we have met" he said quiet
ly, "and / never recognized you"
Il knew you," she answered, "thougl
not until heard your name mentioned
and that after an evening spent in you
society. had not caught the name OF
our introduction.
"And gour name is changed. II
Aunt Lottie and Mrs. Farley | did no
recognize Charlotte Mason. | hust,
added Doctor Donne in a somewhat fal
1 tering tone-"I trust this explanation
will suffice" And then he turned rounC
to where his hat and gloves lay upor
the table.
"Aunt Lottiel" exclaimed Helen, ea
| gerly springing forward and kneelinl
at her feet, you never saw this writing
before-these words III invisible ink,
mean Is it not so, dear auntie ?"
II never saw them before. l did no
know they were there.
Doctor Dome turned round to her
breathless.
The slip Of paper which You place.
in my hand" resumed she, calmly, /"
read as follows: If you receive a not
from me in regard to Essays Of Ella, pi
The pGy,er IN ~ fire after reading' Tn
writing was very indistinct and dificul
to decipher."
/ Something like smile passed owe
the lips Of both Frank and Helen, bu
Doctor Donne looked very grave.
"You didn't obey the injunction, Aun
tie, said Frank "You kept the note
and for six-and-thirty years
i Only as a relic Of the past, Frank,
Ga!d she, with a great effort at perfec
composure and indifference.
The clock struck eleven, and Doctor
Dome sheok hands with as all around