The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-06-17

e~SA kS'~SRsA'O sSvUsSaSO Oo@OAo0 ava -
look beneath the surface Of digni6ed
courtesy that characterized their con.
duct to each other, and she plainly per
ceived mutual indifference. Her imag.
iuatiop often pictured the home and
affection she ardeutly louged to possess !;
her heart, though its depths had moi
yet been sounded, felt the sweet in.
tinet of true womsnhood-tbe desire
to be loved. Her ideal Of tho hero
who Was some timo to conquer Char.
lotte Hildreth's affections vas exalted
enough to render him, heretofore, im-
possible to end. A man "kings might
delight to honor p high above his fel-
lows in birth, wealth, talent, and per-
son.l attributed. Aud this man must
share every thought Of hers, and she
would return his love tcnfold, and life,
like the ending Of a fairy tale; should
be to them an earthly paradise.
They found Charles Is usual engross-
I'd in business, and spent the morning
listening to Mr.. Hildreth's descrip-
ton Of balls, operas, and fashion. She
dragged them through the house to ad-
mire he1 now dress,. jewelry and furni.
ture, and related her fresh grievances,
occasioned by servants, millincrs and
dressmakers.
Charles came home to dine, aud hur-
ried back to the mill; Mrs. Hildreth
aud her daughter.in- law retired for
afternoon repose. Charlotte amused
herself with books and music till the
afternoon passed, and the ladies' assem-.
blsd in the drawing-room to wait
Charles return tesupper.
Six o'clock the great bell At Hil-
dreth's mill rang. M.ny weary hearts
bounded at the clang, ~ the crowd Of
workmen poured out Of the heated at
mosphers into the balmr spring air,
and hurried home to enjoy the rest that,
thank God +! comes to all tdIers at tho
close Of day.
Many passed the drawing 'oom win
dow, where Charlotte sat hif hidden
by folds Of costly lace and amask-
she was glad she did not live "a Mill.
wood where the sight of those jaded,
dirty sons Of Vulcan Jared her tastidi.
ous sense Of beauty; she wo,dered
how her brother could spend SO many
hours in contact with the smok, and
noise
After tea the conversation chiefly re-
lated to business. Charles compaoently
informed them his affairs wer in the
most fourishing condition, andthat the
mill, with the improvements he was
making under the direction of his new
foreman, would pay double the prsent
year. -,
The carriage came at ten, ard As
Charles assisted the ladies' in, Chalotte
remembered the question she wished to
ask.
"Charlie | am curious to lear, sens-
thing Of MI. Reiohelm;, a stranger, w.
has been iu Millwood for some time.
Do you know him
Charles laughed. |
"Know him, Lott,e," replied he,
"wby Paul Reichlm is my new manager
at the mill I"
Charles stood at the carriage door
while explaining how he chauced to &C.
cure tho services of Paul Reichelm.
"Some time previous to our journey
I called in friendly way on Mr.. Peroi-
val, our new minister. In the course
Of conversation, I mentioned my incou-
venienoe from the unexpected loss Of
my foreman, who, for some t1iaing
quarrel, left without ceremony. Mr..
Perci,al At once recommended MI.
Reichelm, young man he knew better
from reputation than personal acquaint-
auce, having heard his history from .
mutual friend, who considered him nm.
exceptionable in every way. he gave
me Reichelm's address, and alters short
correspondence I offered him situation
which hs accepted. The fatteripg tes-
timonia!s of his talents and industry
scarce did him justice, everything -four
ished during my absence, aud he has
the faculty Of making the;moet stupid
understand his commands. You have
seen him, I suppose, at the mite socie-
ties, and church he is a stauuch
Episcopalian, and great admirer Of
Mr.. Percival. One seldom sees man
in his position 10 refined and gentle
manly, and I suppose his tall and hand
some face will break many hearts in the
village. Good night"
The carriage drove home, Charlotte,
speechless with modification at the end
ing Of her romance. Sleep forsook her
eyes as she brooded over the incidents
of the past few weeks, and her familiar
ity with her brothers + >wan. She
blamed the mite societies, Ml. Percival,
aud above al else, tho man himself,
Who presumed to form an acquaintance
with her, under the circumstances.
The strange smiles aad innuendoes she
attributed to envy were now explained
how Charlotte Hildreth's oondesoen.
sion to her brothers foreman must have