The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1867-11-28

perfect. She played brilliantly, and sang

real treasures OF literature, a complete
course OF the higher authors. We read
history, poetry, fiction; wc wandered
over the old authors we dipped into
newer works; ); We Thoroughly enjoyed the
hours. What Was really = keen pleasure
tor 'her, was 4 never-endine delight for
me. The Afternoons were devoted to
walking, readieg. Or driving. Martha,
or Matte, as she preferred to be called, :,
rode splendidly, and L attended = riding
school, and soon became sufficiently &C.
cnstomed to the exercise to Join her
and Gerald in their long rides. Even
inga were spent in music, or else quietly
in Mrs. Halls room, for Mastie soon
formed circle of friend-, and plunged
into the vortex OF New Y ORA society A
relative Of her mothcr-Mrs. Mansfield
ono Of the yotaries of fashion, under
took to chaperone the brilliant beauty,
and Gerald was often released from at
tendance upon her, and joined his moth
er and myself in our quiet sitting-room.
| learned to accompany him, as he play
ed the violin, and to blend my voice
"lth his in duets, and if we could not
translate mel i. as brilliantly as Matte,
we, at least. enioyed our music as fully.
would like to pause here. and learc
the rest untold, and yet-velI, you will
guess it. /, who knew the cousins were
engaged, kaey that Gerald was willing
to marry Matte, and considered himself
/ boundto her; I, who vas there because
[ was considered true to my frs. love ;
l, double traitor to pastsand present,
l loved Gerald Hail.. ..w -
| | did not know ny Own heart for
many long months. It vas dear broth
e'rs love [ received, a tender sisters af.
fection [ gave; T said to my heart; and
80 :unconsciously I ilct his image grow
to my sou till could not sritaway.
Charlie faded away, and = face: his
and not his-took his place The merry
sunny laugh was never SO dear as was
now the grave tender smile: a-''
f.. More: than a year had ggsne by, and
November chill was in :tkesair;.wben
Matte came to my room one morning,
with unwonted clouds on her fair face.
I "Here's ness she said; taxing me
/ as usual into her co6dence. 6Auntie re-
mind s.ne this morning that next week
| shall be Of age, and you know all about
Gerald and me. 1 think myself he's in
love with 1you! Gracious, don't jump
that way, Agnes, you'r re enodgh to scare
lone todeath: OF course, Z don suppose
you care for bin, you quiet mouse; for
you are infinitely too proper. to bye an
other womans fance, and then there is
that wonderful Charlie. But he is fond
Of you. IF it wasn't for auntie. now ;
but you see she's set her heart on the
match, and Barkis is willing. We'll,
there'l Il be one suicide, for Guy Howard
will hang himselfy' .,,~.z..
"Guy Howard -
You don't know him; Mrs. Mars
fields nephew; a man after nv own
heart; got some spirit and pluck! y ell
never mind him!"t
| But she did mind him, I saw, for she
sat quiet for some moments.
"We'll have to submit" she said. at
last. ut is mercy you don't care for
| Gerald, for it's all mne1 up now.
You'll come to the Wedding, suppose
and please wear white, for I am super.
stitious about suits at Wedding" And
she went off, leaving me in strange
turmoil Of pain and irresolutiou.
I could not stay! I loved him. Not
with the girlish love I had given
Charlie, but with a .woman's whole
heart I loved him !! l could not stay to
see him married, and. married, too, to a
woman who loved him not. Some wild
scheme of warning him of Mattie's feel
lug rushed through my brain, but
| drove it out, and resolved TO 60 away.
would 90 somewhere al. hide myself
and my new sorrow. ON ali eyes. Then
l thought Of my uncle. Only two days
more, and be would welcome his guests
to Thanksgiving party again. T had
met Charlie there; I had first seen
Gerald on that anniversary; would 60.
and live one night in memory of haprler
days. and then-;hen-well, tie future
would decide So I went to Mrs. Hall
and told her I was going TO Milford for
Thanksgiving ,*7
"You will return soon..'' sac said.
wistfuliy. .ss
You Will be alone:"I said, "when
Gerald takes his wife wedding tour.
Then | will retucn:"' 50.
She held my hand moment. looking
into cly face with a loving pleadin:
gaze, that nearly unnerved me. : g:
YES she said q shall be alone.
1t was her fathers will, you know. and
| would like to see Gerald happy,
I kissed her for answer; It was not
we'll to taN it over, and then I bade her
farewell. felt that l could not face
Gerald agais. '' s-'' 500
Ny uncle's Welcome vas cordial, nav.
more, it was very loving, He was, glad
I remembered his pet anniversary, and
promised to lay aside my mourning
for that evening, and try to Forget sor-
SOW for the time. ,...
Lizzie was home with her handsome
husband by her side, May was engaged.
and had another new face to present to
NE; Harry was back again from Europe,
and uncle Was. in his element. The
evening was clear aud cold, pleasant ~
winter evening could be. Early tours
were kept at Milford, aud the rooms
were filled by the time that Matte would
have been dressing her hair. 1 wore a
white silk dress, and Lizzie had. twisted
jasmine sprays in my hair: - \:
The dancers were all In motion, every-
body gay and iull Of lite, when l stole
out into the library for a moment of
quiet. It seemed 40 if my heart would
break. The rush Of memory aud pres.
ent pain was so keen, so bitter, that |
could scarcely keep from crying out.
So, standing by the window, pressing
my hot forehead on the cold glass, /
tried to still my anguish, and keep the
composure necessary for the evening.
While stood there, 4 step crossed the
room. 1t was my uncle or Harry l said
and did not stir, till was drawn into a
close embrace, and the voice L loved
best, spokc:- i
"Agnes, my darling, my love-"
SI1 AZ MN M ~ or;oJ