Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-10-03
ANSON GREY
BY L. vELoNA sToCKwILL.


thirty, shut up within himself and by
himself, in his great mansion on the
hill, and people knew no more about
him than they knew about the dead
In fact, he was as good rs dead in Bur-
lingame and there seemed little chance
of resurrection.
His early years had been spent abroad,
where or how, not ody knew and most
had ceased to care, for that matter the
last two had been passed in Burlin-
game.
A brilliant light at night, shining
from the great east windows, far out
over the busy home in the valley, and
occasional gallors through the town, by
day, were the only tokens Of his pres
ence. However, a change was coming,
and that without warning.
Arson Gray fell sick--suddcnl and
dangerously SO. The village doctor was
summoned, who in turn telegraphed for
another from the city in hot haste, and
together they said, in whispers, that
their patient, rich and lordly as he
might be, would probably die. There
was no woman in the great house to act
as nurse, and the head servant, obeying,
doubtless his masters orders, refused
to allow one there rs yet.
How it came about was a mystery,
but one morning, when the master had
lain q week half senseess, and the ply
scians were shaking their wise heads
over him, an unusual cloud of dust was
observed whirling up the hill, and
emerging therefrOm, as it reached the
gravel road leading to the house, was a
carriage, splashed and Weather-staincd,
headed by two straining, painting
horses, who came up to the entrance as if
driven by the evil one. a lady, tall and
fair as sunlight, pushed open the car
riage door impatiently, and sprang out.
With hasty glance around, she hurried
up the steps, entered the hall the draw
ing-room, and stood before the two as
tCnished gentlemen who were seated
there.
us Arson Grey alivc?"
One of them raised his finger.
eyes. but he grows worse.n
Befo they OWNED her intention, she
had pass I'd them and was in the next
room bending over the sick man.
"Thc devil will be to pay if she eX
cites him now,' The elderone said. "if
some good nurse had come, it might
have been of some use but this dainty
thing-bahW
She came out in moment, her face
white but determined.
"Will you have goodness to send
for a minister, and remain until he
comes Z" she aSkcu as Snc began 10 re-
move her things.
There was something in her manner
which forbade questioning, and they
obeyed her like so many dumb men, as
they said afterwards.
The minister came, VIM. Skinner,
the head servant, was called, and, after
the three held private conference
which seemed to be satisfactory, they
came out, and, to the anlazement ofall
the lady stood beside Arson Grey, and
the marriage VOWS were read and
taken.
The wise doctors were mistaken in
their estimate of this fair unknown,
She was something beside fair lady,
as her actions soon proved. new or
der of things was instituted in the sick
mans room, and his wife installed her.
self q nurse, a change which told for the
better. In a month he wac riding
through the village, with his bride by
his side, all eyes of course, agog.
1t had been noised abroad how she
had come, and of the strange wedding
which followed, and, as was but natu-
raj, the whole town were wild to know
the why's and the wherefores of the
case.
"At any rate, that man looks like a
different creature one woman said as
he passed her cottage door. " Did you
see how he smiled at my little girl =?
That was never heard of from him and
let me tell you, you never see a man as
he was, without there being a woman
in the way somewhere.
All agreed that she was Just an angel
and when they came into church the
next Sabbath, and sat down quietly in
one of the pews, like other people, they
were more than ever confirmed in their
int l,nt t,o t,,,,r 4,
never know was this.
Three years before, Arson GREY,
naughty, proud and indolent was kill
ling time at one of the fashionable
watering-places, where Edith Will
loughby also fingered, though sorely
against her will.
A sweet and wondrously fair face,
much admired and sought after Arson
Grey had half Il mind to enter the lists
with the others, but something kept him
back, and he only exchanged Il few
words with her now and then, when
circumstances threw them together.
There happened TO come two days
flooding rain and the first night of it,
Edith sent a servant asking Mr.. Grey
TO come to her private parlor Tor mo-
ment. He obeyed the summons with
alacrity, though wondering much what
could be coming now.
Edith awaiting him, cloakcd and
hooded, and evidently in haste to be OF
somewhere.
II hope you will pardon me-" she
said, as he closed the door behind him
''but really l did not know who to ask
and mamma will not allow me to go by
myself. a poor woman down on the
beach is sick, perhaps dying, and
was there yesterday. and they are in
great distress. Could j trouble you tt
go with me?n
81 will do your errand. 1t is toe
stormy for you to venture out"
80, it is no GRAND. | am sorry t
trouble ANYBODY