Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-09-30

By EDITH LEE.

The river flowed smoothly and peace
fully along. Over mountain, hillside, and
tree the straggling rays of summer sun
set poured their last tints, and cheered
into song the woodland varblers fitting
from bough to bough. Here Nature was
rugged, but grand. The mountains were
lofty and majestic, and raising their broad
fronts ON either side, Graded the flowing
river, and hushed il into noiseless slum-
Der. The sunbeams went slanting down
the hillsides, imparting their own bright.
colored tints to the clinging moss, and
glancing in and ont the gay foliage; then
falling upon the river; made long tracks
of rosy light, whose bright coursings
were intently watched by one occupant of
pretty little boat, that was drifting with
the tide. Philip Randolph dropped the
oars, and followed in its course the cir
cling light. He was wondering what the
angel of dreams was whispering to the
quiet stream, for il ever river slept. this
ono WINS siumbering now. Over its SUR
face the winds chanted a sweet lullaby,
and the strong mountains folded il in
their great arms, and all was still.
A quaint little boat it was, and quaint
little maiden she, who sat At one end, With
head bowed down ON her hand. A rustic
hat shaded her face, from beneath which
the soft brown curls fell in graceful negli-
gence. Her only beauty was . pair of
hazel eyes, both roguish and sparkling |;
but when a word Of love would call into
being the most beautiful bushes and the
merriest dimples, you would travel far
before finding a sweeter or gentler face.
So thought Philip Randolph.
- .Scr2G..Sl~ T.
ing, on this bright summer evening, when
all maidenhood should be merry and gay
Perhaps, like the river, she was dreaming
of the one bright sky the waters of her
heart reflected. But her dreams were not
peaceful; and, raising her head with q
sigh, she glanced at her companion. Very
grave and earnest was his look as be asked
the question "Nettie, what 10 your de-
cision ?" Again her head dropped down
on her hand, with the answer: "Hush
let me think"
Weighty and momentous thoughts were
they that filled that pretty head; her
whole life rose up before her-scenes
changing and shifting like the pictures
in Kaleidoscope. Philip Randolph and
she had grown up from childhood to-
gether, under the guardianship of Philips
father. How well she Remembered the
old red schoolhouse, where both had gone
day after day to receive knowledge; the
snow-covered hill, up and down which
Philip had drawn her on his sled, and
made her cheeks glow like roses when he
would stoutly refase any rival the honor
of doing likewise. Her hrst ride on "Old
Whitley" she standing on the farm-yard
gate and springing into the saddle, and
Philip leading the dear old horse; then,
when she could gallop and leap bitches,
he had brought her home the prettiest of
ponies, to be all her very own afterward,
their separation she being sent to board
ing scbool and he TO college. All the
homesickness Of that dreary night came
back to her now, and Nettie's tears flowed
down her cheeks at the very remembrance.
How Madame A frownea when let
ter in Philips bold, free handwriting was
given her, and the anger Of Nettie when
Madame tore it up, a rhe didn't allow
young ladies to receive letters from gen.
tlemen."
The long three years, that sesmed to have
no ending, and then the meeting at the old
homestead. How she blushed and smiled
as, instead of Q mere youth, Philip ap-
Pe.red before her 40 young gentleman,
and complimented her npon her improved
appearance. Then the long days Of heart
sickness, when the Airt Of the county
1aneuvered In al eorts Of ways to gain
PHILIPPE heart aad Nettis was % wounded
that she trested Philip coldly, and ans
wered him rudely-thsn wept all night
about IL How molly Philip had saved
her lifs-Aved her fEpn horrible death,