Middletown transcript., 1868-06-20


for home!
I cannot describe my feelings on the re-
reipt of that news. 1t almost stunned me.
All manner of wild thoughts rushed
through my brain. My brother Frank
married |! | could scarcely credit it and
then his wifc-who and what was she
What was she likc-some horrid Italian,
who had evidently used battery of art to
captivate my brother! He had not even
mentioned her name. How could l receive
this woman who had usurped my place in
my brothers heart? I am quite sure in
dulged in woman's panacca for sorrow and
vexation-a burst of angry tears. 1 had
never thought of Franks marrying with
out corresponding thought of loving his
wife. Yet how could love this woman
and would she like me 4? Those were the
thoughts that kept continually rushing
through my brain.
One thing resolved to do, and that
was, love her if possible, for Franks sake
So l gave orders to the servants to have
everything in readiness for the return of
their master and his bride. Iput the rooms
in order myself which Frank had designa-
ted as hers-those which opened off the
drawing room, and had full view of the
town and river. They were our mothers
rooms, and had never been used since her
death.
"Surely" thought I, as I glanced around
the room, "sho will be pleased with her
new home," Giving last touch to the
folds of the heavy curtains, I leaned out Of
the window and gazed upon pleasant fu-
turc.
The sun was slowly sinking in mountains
| ofpurple and golden clouds, casting its gilt
tering rays upon the winding water below.
The smooth lawn stretching to the abrupt
| cliff at the rivers bank, around which a
rnstic fence had been constructed more for
ornament than use, and the many arbors
dotting the grounds, over whose trellis
work the honeysuckle and rose WED with
each other in luxuriant beauty. The broad
carriage road, stretching nearly a mile
through the estate, until stopped by the
porter's lodge, along whose sides the dear
old lime trees formed border, and meeting
at the top, shaded the road completely.
turned and looked at the room in which
I stood. If the outside was pleasant, sure
ly this was equally so. Yet some might
call it gloomy from its dark mouldings,
and high old fashioned wainscotting, and its
heavy damask hangings, which were still
up, though it was midsummer; but to me
it was the pleasantost room in the house.
AS | look around ther how little has
it changed in tho years that have flown
away. The same pictures Of my grim an
cesters grace the walls; the same Egyp-
tian vases, like sentinels fill the corners
The open piano stands in its old place be-
tween the windows, but it is many long
day since the sound of music was heard in
this house-not since that dreadful night
when. But l will continue my story.
1 remember so well taking last peep at
their rooms. Nothing was wanting, and I
smiled as [ thought of Franks pleasure in
noting the improvements I had made, for
instead of the crimson velvet curtains that
had draped the high chariot bcdstead, blue
silk and white lace reigned. Two dressing
cabinets joined tho room, and through the
open doors a glimpse ofwhito lace and fresh
cut flowers completed the picture. / must
; have been lost in thought long time for
was reused from my revery by the near
sound of carriage wheels. They had come?
| think was foolish enough to turn pale
and come near fainting. But Miss Sears,
my dear old governess came to my relief
and placing her arm around my waist led
me to the porch, wlGre tho carriage had
nearly arrived. One moment more and it
stopped; another and I was clasped in the
arms of my brother Frank. After kissing
me dozen times, and calling me his "dear
sister Alice, he turned toward the car
riage, and there in the door, with one foot
in the act of stepping to the porch, stood
the lovelicst picture 1 have ever gazed
upon! A little fniry-liko creature, dressed
in the deepest mourning, with perfect ha-
10 of pale golden hair about her head and
shoulders. had no time to notice fur
ther, for my brother caught her in his arms
and placed her in front of me with the
words:
nina, my darling, this is our sister,
Alice"
heput up the loveliest rosebud of a mouth
for kiss, and then saw for the first time
the soft brown eyes, with their silken fringe
which had won my brother. In a second
all my fears vanished and 1 saw that [.
would experience no dificultyin learning
to love my brothers wife. 81.
Mine was the task to show ''Nina" to her
room, for Frank had thousand things to
say to the old servants, and as led the little
childish creature could not help but smile
at the different ideas | had formed of her.
A valet and French maid had already ar
rived and were busy unpacking the lug
gage.
Nina glanced around the room with the
happy expression of a pleased child, her
eye caught picture ofmy mother hanging
over the mantle-piece, and she inquired in
half whisper:
"Who is that p
| "My mother" l answered
"And Franks mother, and my moth
cr." She looked at me half doubling.
"Of course, our mother" She put the
daintiest mite of hand in mine and said :
g You are my sister too. You are not