Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-02-19
The Night of Years.

Of my native state, New IOrF, lived,
the father of our heroine, an homes r.
spectacle farmer. He had but two
noble girl of nineteen
and Ellen, year or two younger. The
first named was winningly, ratl or than
observable for its seriousness and nun-like
serenity were concealed an imprisoned
nature, and heart of the deepest capa-
city for loving. She was remarkable
from her earliest childhood fer n voice of
thrilling and haunting sweetness.
Ellen Dutton was he brilliant anti
pode of her sister, "born beauty"
whose preOgative OF rrettiness was to
have her own way in all things and Mt
all times. An indulgent father, weak
mother, and an idolizing sister, who UNI
consciously contributed to the ruin Of a
nature not at first remarkable for
strength or generosity.
Where, i'm all Gods creatures, is
heartlessness so seemingly unatural is
sci fishness so detestible as in beautiful
woman.
Lucy possessed fine intellect, and
as her parents were well read New
Englanders, she and her sisters were far
better educated than other girls of her
station that then half-settled part of the
country. In those days many engaged
in school teaching, from the honor and
pleasure it afforded. rather than
from necessity. Thus, few months
previous to the commencement of our
story, Lucy Dutton left for the first time
her tiresde circle, to take the charge of
q school some twenty miles from her
native town.
For some while her letters home were
expr ssive only of the happy content
hi
ness of active usefulness, of receiving,
came a change. Then were those re-
cords from home characterized by fitful
gaiety or dreamy sadness indefinable
n )pes and fears seemed Struggling for
supremacy in the writer's troubled little
heart. Lucy loved, but scarcely ac-
knowledged it to herself, while she
knew not that she was loved. So, for a
time, that second birth of wuman's ma
ture was like warm sunrise struggling
with the cold mist OF the morning.
But one day brought letter which
could not be forgo ten in the home o
the absent and a letter traced by hand
that trembled in sympathy with heart
tumultuous with happiness. Lucy had
been wooed and won, and she but wait
ed her parents approval of her choice,
]
man of excellent family and standing
in the town where she had been teach
ing. The father and mother accorded
their saction with many blessings, and
Lucy's next letter promised speedy
visit from the lovers.
| 10 such natures as Lucy's, what an
absorbing, and yet whit revealing OF
self is a first passion-what prodigali-
ty OF giving, wnat an incalculable
wealth of receiving-what breakin
up is there o. the deep waters of the soul
and how heaven descends in sudden
star-shower upon life. If there is sea-
son when an angel may look with inter
est upon her mortal sister, it is when she
beholds her heart passing from its bud
like innocence and girlhood, and task
ing to its very core the fervid light of
love, glow and crimson INTO perfect wo-
manhood.
At last the plighted lovers came, and
welcomes ana festivities awaited them.
Mr.. w. gave perfect satisfaction to faith
er, mother and even the eXacting
"beauty."
He was q handsome man. with some
pretensiOns to fashion, but in character
apparently opposite to his betrothed.
1t was decided that Lucy should not
again ave home until MAJ riagc which
at The ardent Request of the lover was &c
be celebrated within TWO months, and
on the birthday of the bride. 1t was
therefore arranged that Ellen should
return with Mr.. w. to take charge OF
her sisters school for the remainder OF
the term.
The bridal day had come. 1t had been
ushered in by a May morning of sur.
passing loneliness; the busy hours had
worn away, and now it was nign sun
set, and neither thepridegroom nor E =
len, the first bridesmaid had appeared.
Yet in hern at little chamber sat Lucy
nothing doubling, nothing fearing.
She was already in a simple white
muslin, and her few bridal ornaments
lay Oh the table b. her side.
Miss Allen, her second bridesmaid
bright eyed, Northumberland girl,
her chosen frien from childhood, wa:
arranging to more graceful iall the
wealth Of light ringlets which swept
her snowy neck.
To the anxious inquiries of her com
ranion respecting the absent ones, Lucy
smiled quietly and replied:
ooh, something has happened to de-
tain them while; we heard from then
the other day, and all was well. They
will be here by and by, never fear"
Evening came, the guests were assem-
bed, and yet the bridegroom tarried
There were whispers, surmises, anC
wOnderings, and shadow Of anxiety
passed over the face of the bride elect
At last carriage drove rather slowly
up to the door.
"They have coma!" cried many voice.
as Ellen entered.
In reply to the hurried and confused
inquiries all around him, Mr.. w. NUT
tered something abolt unavoidable,
delay" and stepped up to the sideboard
tossed off glass of wine, another, anC
another.
The company stood silent with amaze
ment.