Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-06-01
The Night Of Years.
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.


rior of my native state, New York,
lived the father of our heroine, an hon
est and respectable farmer. He had
but two children-laey a noble girl
of nineteen and Ellen, a year or two
younger. The first named was win
ningly, rather than strikingly beauti-
full. Under a manner observable for
its seriousness and nun-like serenity,
were concealed an impassioned ma
ture, and heart of the deepest capac-
ity for loving. She was remarkable
from her earliest childhood for voice
of thrilling and haunting sweetness.
Ellen Dutton was the brilliant anti
pode of her sister, a "born beauty, y
whose perogative of prettiness was to
have her own way in all things ard
at all times. An indulgent father. a
weak mother, and an idoiizing sister,
unconsciously contributed to the ruin
of nature not at first remarkable
for strength or generosity.
Where, in all Gods creatures, is
heartlessness so seemingly unnatural,
is selishness so detestable as in beau
tiful women.
Lucy possessed fine intellect, and
as her parents were we'll read New
Englanders, she and her sister were
far better educated than other girls
Of her station il that then half-settled
part oil the country. In those days
many engaged III School-teaching, from
the honor and pleasure it afforded
rather than from necessity. Thus, a
few months previous to the commence,
ment of our story, Lucy Dutton left
for the first time her fireside circle, to
take the charge of a school some
twenty miles from her native town.
For some time her letters home
were expressive only of the happy
contentment which sprang from the
consciousness of active usefulness, Of
receiving, while imparting good. But
soon there came a change. Then were
those records from home characteriz-
ed by ftful gaiety or dreamy sadness
indefinable hopes and fears seemed
struggling for supremacy in the wri-
ter'S troubled little heart. Lucy low
ed, but scarcely acknowledged it to
herself, while she knew not that she
was loved So, for time, that sec.
ond birth of wOman'S nature was like
a warm sunrise struggling with the
cold mist of the morning.
But one day brought letter which
could not be forgotten in the home of
the absent, and a letter traced by a
hand that trembled in sympathy with
u heart tumultuous with happiness
Lucy had been wOOed and Won, anC
she but waited her parents approva
OF her choice, to become the betroth
ed of Edwin W, a man of eX
celIent family and standing in the
town where she had been teaching
The father and mother accorded theil
sanction with many blessings, anC
Lucy's next letter promised speedy
visit from the lovers.
To such natures as Lucy's what al
absorbing, and yet what a revealing
OF self is a first pasSlon-what prod
igality of giving, what al incalculabl,
wealth Of receiving-what a breaking
up is there Of the deeper waters ol
the soul. and how Heaven descend
in a sudden Star-ShOWer upon life. Ii
there is a season when al angel ma,
look with interest upon her morta
sister, it is when she behold8 he
heat pass from its bud-like innocence
and girlhood, and tasking to its yer,
core the lervid light of love, glow anC
crimson into perfect womanhOod.
At last the plighted lovers came
and welcomes and festivities awaitet
them. MIR. W, gave entir
satisfaction to father, mother, ant
even the exacting "beauty." He wa
a handsome man, with some preter
tions to fashion; but III manner, an
apparently in character, the opposit
of his betrOthed.
1t was decided that Lucy shoul
not again leave until married, whic
at the ardent request of the lover
was to be celebrated within tw
months, and on the birthday of tn
bride. 1t was therefore arrange
that Ellen should return with Nh
W, to take charge of her sii
ter's school for the remainder Of tn
term.
The bridal day had come. 1t ha
been ushered in by a May mornin
Of surprising loveliness; the bus
hours had worn away, and now it wa
nigh sunset, and neither the brid,
groom, nor Ellen, the first bride
maid, had appeared. Yet in her nea
little chamber sat Lucy, nothing doub
ing, nothing fearing. She was a
ready in simple white muslin, an
her few bridal ornaments lay on th
table by her side. Miss Allen, he
second bridesmaid, bright-eyed, affe
tionate hearted girl, her chosen frien
of childhood, was arranging to a MOI
graceful fall, the wealth of light rim,
lets which swept her snowy neck. 7
the anxious inquiries of her compal
ion respecting the absent ones, Luc
smiled quietly and replied;
"Oh. something has happened
detain them a while; we heard fro
! them the other day, and all was wei
) They will be here by and by, ney,
fear"
Evening came, the guests were a
sembled, and yet the bridegroom ia
ried. There were whispers, surmis
and wonderings, and a shadow of an
iety passed over the face of the brid
elect. At last, a carriage drove rat
: er slowly up to the door.
aThey have come!" cried mai
voices, and Ellen entered.
+. In reply to the hurried and confu