The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1868-12-04
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1868.

to-day
Winnie was the only one who answer
ed. Erie looked at me for a moment
then meeting my eyes, his lowered
suddenly as the dark crimson spread
slowly over his face. 1 busted myself
with the cups, looking at none of them
again.
'Where did you see them, Day 2
asked Winnie, and the careless, natural
question, was relief to sll.
4 saw their carriage at the station,
and. l waited for them. They are in
town still, with Fletcher, the attorney.
1t was the trial that brodght them
home. Mr.. ST. George is glad to be at
home though
'Aud Hope is not, l suppose said
Winnie, laughing.
Hope has the peculiarly Of never
being glad to come home-hasn't she,
Davidg ca
Hope, said I, quietly pouring out
Dayid's third cup of tea, and speaking
because no one else answered-'Hope
is fonder of home than any one I know,
and she mskes'a home, too, more than
any one
1T is lonely place without her. any
way said David, carelessly.
Hopeless, ] think, eb, ErIeP said
Winnie, demurely; but tell Us how she
booked, Day .'ao aem 2
4 don't know. The same as she
always looks, 1 think
She could hardly grow old or change
much in any way in four months, Win
ME, said ] but what was Erle's mes
sageP
Something, of course, about this
lawsuit, but 1 said 1 never should re-
member. l think Mr.. st. George looks
upon you, Erie, as a brother defender,
instead of q possible juror, and now let
me see where is Efie's parcel
1t was little painting of a fsherman's
wife and child, looking, with frighten-
ed, eager faces over the stormy sea for
boat they could not find. A remem-
branee Hope had brought me from
abroad-a little remembrance that has
been near me through years of happi-
ness and sorrow, and that is first to
meet my eyes, among so many unfa-
mihar objects, when l raise them from
this paper as l write. After l had
looked at it and admired it quietly for
long time, and Winnie had put her
little head on one side and criticised it
artistically, / asked David to hang it
for me. As be took it from my hand,
looking at it still with an absent kind
of look, he said, q think they will call
here on their way home. Hope said,
when 1 left them, that they would
surely call, if they passed at any respect
able hour. She is very fond of you,
Efie.'
Not more fond of me- said l, than
of you, aud Erie, and Winnie.'
For, surely, why should she be, when
l was so very differentl Only her
kind, loving heart could make her so.
But, Davie, you are worse than incor-
rigible not to have told me this before.
Don't be cross, little mother; there
is no scope for your celebrated house,
keeping talents to display themselves
tonight It was an anticipation of
mighty preparations on your part l
am sure, that Hope said so emphstical-
ly that they could hardly stay minute,
as dinner would be waiting for them at
home
What a comfort it will be to have
them back said Winnie again. The
whole country looks desolate around
Oakley Court when they are away.
Erie, your rides to Upton are more
pleasant when You can call there, aren't
theyT
Erie had seated himself at the piano,
and Winnie stood beside him. As she
spoke he looked up,-still playing
and nodded with strange bright light
in his eyes.
Sing one of my songs, Erle,' she
whispered, cosxiDgly, and he struck
into the symphony of The Minstrel
Boy AS he began to sing, 1 heard
carriage wheels pass under the windows
knew David heard them too, because
he lost the restless look be had had
while talking to me, and graw quite
still and quiet. Erie and Winnie heard
nothing but the music, and as they
were far away from the door, they
never even turned as David opened it. |
Twelve years, with their lights and
shadows, with their waiting and hoping, |
have passed me by since that night;
but before me now, as clear as then,
comes the picture that saw when Hope |
came in among Us, in her youth and
radiant beauty.
Passing David by with a smile, she
sook both my hands, and kissed me
eagerly. held her from me with a
strange, intent look into her face, while
,he blushed little soft bright blush.
Still l held her, fascinating her to look
It me, for 1 would not have her turn
and sect did not matter that 1
ihould see-how white David's face
lad grown, and how he stroye to hide
he trembling of his lips
1t did not matter that / should see
hat Erie was watching him--a new
ight breaking upon his face-a new
orroW, strange half eomprehended
orrow-in the eager, flushed face, and
ender, passionate eyes.
Z Looking back, know that one glance
lad fixed It on my mind forever. Then
thought ] saw them all the time l
.azed into Hopes face.
Are there many changes, Efie, in
hese long four months r She asked
J laughing, but 1 could not answer so.
he little Slender figure Standing before
le was as graceful as ever; the large 4
yes were as bright and deep; the |
laving dark hair Just as usual round
be dainty little face with its changing !
ght; and yet there was change, and l
new what it was. That night l read I
s secret as 1 read theirs; but | answer
her quite lightly: u
David seemed so uncertain whether
ou were changed, that 1 thought 1 h
lust look for myself y
She turned to greet Erie and Win q
lie as she asked, quietly, Are you un- +
srtain, tooP fC
No. 1 said almost hastily, mot at all n
Then we talked all together for
tile. Eli Erie turned aside with Mr.. St