The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1868-03-03

and stsll an invalid from the effects 81
q terrible fever which had lately pros
traied me, dreaded living ID tie 81 :
house occupied only by servants
had an uncle ID the West, whom /
bad not seen sinco chiid IL bad
married widow with tWo little girls.
! wondered Il he bad set room ii his
heart to lind place Tor the nephew he
used to love longed 10 be among
friends, and thought might 6nd the n
iu uncle James aud his family Iwrote
TO him, inviting myself 70 90 down for
short time, adding that would start
that very day In truth ! was afraid
TO await an answer. lest some trouble
some circumstance should shut me up
at home But when fairly on my way
! troubled myself somewhat as 10 my
probable reception and deyoutly hoped
the two little girls would be no annoy
ance
It was night when / arrived Uncle
James met me with hearty greeting
at the station, and, after very short
drive. ushered me into his drawing
room and introduced me to his wi:e
and two daughters.
Mrs. Gray, Uncle james wife, was a
fair looking woman, of soft and noble
speech, aud won my heart Immediately
by her gentle, motherly ways Bel,
the eldest daughter, was a tall, grace-
fun girl, with a fair complexion, clear,
dark eyes, and beautiful hands that
toyed gracefully with the knitting she
seemed intent on. | could not help
watching her Indeed / was so much
taken up by thought of Bel, that /
scarcely bestowed second glance mp
on Ethel, the second daughter, who
need not have been coutrasted with
Bells beauty to be called plain At
supper which was soon announced, |
could but notice the two Ethel was
rot only plain but exceedingly awk-
ward, while Bell was the embodiment
Of grace. Uncle james aud Aunt Mary
talked to me about my travels, my
lonely return. and other things; but
I'm sure couldn't have repeated
word the next moment, SO perfectly
engrossed was / by the beautiful eldest
drughter
The heat Of summer was gone, and
il was the pleasantest time in the year
for the long delightful rambles which
we took over field aud hill Ethel
scarcely ever accompanied Us; but oae
day we had all been rambling in the
wood that skirted Round Pond, a bean
tifnl sheet Of water that lay near my
uncles residence; and as we strolled
homeward we stopped to look over the
banks into it's quiet depths.
"Oh, said Bel, "do You see those
beautiful flowers further down on the
bank2 How fresh anl bright they
look Can you not get Inc some?'
"Oh, Bel, it's dangerous, said Ethel
The bank is steep, and he would be
sure to fall
Before Ethel agd finished hor remon-
STRANGE | was iGf way Gown, holding
by the hanging branel,s and grasping
for the flowers. The 5a..k was not on
ly steep, bnt there was no firm foothold
on it slipped and fell.
l awoke, and lay languidly ON my
pillow, without WISH or power to raise
my head. Suddenly voices in the next
room met my ear, and / could but hear
what they were saying.
DO, Bel, 60 IL and stay with him
while / help mother finish this" said
Ethel; for I'm afraid he may need
something"
Pooh! he will not know it if he docs,
replied Bel. HE is dehrious. How
can | read in there, and he all the time
ra,ing about somebody or other?"
On, for shame, Bel' said Ethel
you know he means you When he
was well You was glad to lay by your
book, interesting as it might be, for
him.
"Of course, said Bel "and shall be
again, when h. comes to his senses
He is rich, and worth putting up ones .
book for But if You think I'm going
IN there to read now, you are mistaken;
SO 90 il yourself if you're afraid to
leave him alone.
! heard soft football in Inv room.
then some one bent over me, Il had /
shut my eyes as though sleeping, and .
close to my forehead was bent soft
cheek-moist, too! 1t was oaly for a
moment, but it thrilled me, knowing
those tears had fallen for me.
As she turned TO 60 loiselessly ont,
! opened my eyes Yes, it was Ethel
gliding softly away. | heard her say
as she entered the other apartment:
"OA Bel, he is sleeping sgeetly.
am 50 thankful. Now II help mother
finish her work, aud then I.licome and
SIT by him while be sleeps.
No you needn't, said Bel. IN 90
and change my dress, and arrange my
hair, and 50 myself Perhaps he will
know US when he wakes.
Then | slept and when opened my
eyes again, saw Aunt Mary and the
giris sitting in the room at work.
Aual Mary came to the bed and laid
her hand on my forehead, saving ten
derry "lou have been lll long time,
bat you arc better now and lnust be
very careful. Do not talk. but let every
thing rest ull You are stronger
was going 10 ask some questions
RliA regard 70 my illness, but shut my
lils again and kept quiet bat my gaze
wandered 70 BE, who sat near me
She raised her beautiful ewes fall II