The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-01-25


manner altered our relations, and |
ought to have been particular TO show
him by my treatment of him that l I
was not changed toward him by my
good fortune
We did not quit that vicinity.
A very handsome house and grounds
being for sale in the neighborhood,
we purchased and removed thither NJ
an early day
was young eager for society, pas
sonately fond Of admiration, and toll
erably calculated to shine in the one
and attract the other People who
had never heard of the poor sewing
girl, eagerly sought the acquaintance
of Miss Streighton of Mount Holly
My dear mother had her hearts de-
sire in seeing me SO feted, admired
and carcssed, and in the genial
warmth of these bright days recovered
that health which she had not enjoyed
before in long time.
Early in my entering upon this new
life, Captain Burns had come obso-
quiously, and like an utter stranger,
and sought my acquaintance, through
the mediation of mutual friend.
hesitated, but the temptation to tn
umph over Mildred Nesey who had
Inundated me so often-was great
and | received the elegant captain
Just kindly enough to encourage him
to come again.
My mother liked him already, and
he so ingratiated himself with her,
that he was always welcome at Mount
Holly, whatever my mood was.
Miss Nesev came to SEQ me cordial
enough outwardly, bnt | was satisfied
that she came against her will and
grudged me my prosperity as much as
she did the devotion OF Captain
Burns.
Max came sometimes to Mount
Holly, but not nearly as often as he
used to come to the little cottage, and
never alluded to our engagement. \
GOODNESS gradually sprung mp between
us, and when he came two or three
times and found Captain Burns thoro,
he ceased coming altogether.
Before that, however, he had at.
tended q grand party which had
given to my new friends, and | had
been what he called ashamed of him.
Max Saw and felt, but he never re-
preached me He just stayed away,
and | did not send for him. You may
think | dil not care for him to treat
him so, but / did, and though | was
happy after fashion in being rid of
poyerty's WEAKNESS and perplexitios,
and in being comted and admired as
| was though it seemed good to be
at liberty to rest all liked, and not to
have to bother about rent or bread, |
was often more tired nom the late
hours / kept than | had ever been
J sewing; and as for cares, | was de-
= voured by very mean jealousy of
Mildred Vesey, and very paltry am
. btion to deprive her of Captain Burns
{ | felt guilty, and inwardly ashamed of
: my treatment of Max. In short, for
ali the fine outward seeming of Louise
i Shaw Streighton, / did not think my
self that she was half so nice a girl
now as before her aunt left her n
, fortune
5 | don't well know how it happened,
; but Captain Burns was always AT
: Mount molly, and somehow | became
I engaged to him, though | had never
= openly broken with Max.
I Not long after that we were dane
ing at the Holly House "a small par
I ty of us-when one of the men SER
, wants rushed into the hall, calling that
the house was on fire.
The music stopped with crash,
and everybody ran screaming to the
, windows and doors to get out
The ire had begun in some strange
{ manner in part of the house little
, used and was under too great head
way before it was discovered to be
t mastered.
r / ran with the rest at first, but sud
D denly remembering that my mother
b had retired to her chamber that night
{ and was probably still sleeping,
flew back to seek her before it should
4 be too late. Unfortunately her apart.
It ments were directly over those in
e which the fire had originated, and the
n flames had already made such prog
: ress that it seemed impossible t.
c reach her.
+ was frantic at the thought. Al
i ready | had covered my misty bal
dress with large WOODEN shawl, and
l was braopg myself TO thread the ave
k nue. Of fire, when strong hands snatch
d ed me back and bore me out to the
It lawn.
It l struggled, and called my mothers
name.
e "Be still, said Max, for it was he
o brought hither by what providence
d knew not 81 Will save her, if i give
i my own life for hers
He darted away and | covered il
e, the grass, hiding my face in my hands
}; till great shout rose around me
n | scarcely dared then TO lift m
J. head When did saw Max, stag
If gering still under the weight of th'
J. burden be had brought through fr'
e and smoke enough to have scorcheC
It and stihed the life out Of him, ont
81 would have thought. My dear moth
en- bad tainted on his shoulder, bu
n she was unharined by the flames.
Bat Max-his hands, his arms, hi
N foca his naor bravo feet -al me