The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-02-18
The Night Of Years.
BY GRACE GREENWOOD.


farmer He had but two chiIdren-Lucy,
a noble girl of nineteen, and Ellen, a year
or two younger. The first named was win
ningly rather than strikingly beautiful I'm
der a manner observed for its seriousness
and unlike serenity, were concealed an i'm
passioned nature, and heart of the deepest
capacity for loving. She was remarkable
from her earliest childhood for voice OF
thrilling and haunting sweetness.
Ellen Dutton was the brilliant autipode
of her sister, ''born beauty" whose pre-
rogative of prettiness was to have her own
way in all things and at all times. An in
dulgent father, a weak mother, and an idol.
izlng sister, who unconsciously contributed
to the rnln of a nature not at first remarka-
BILE for strength or generosity.
Where in all Gods creatures, is heartess-
ness so seemingly unnatural, is selfshness
so detestable, as in beautiful woman?
Lucy possessed a 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 in that then
hali-settled part Of the country. In those
days many engaged in school teaching, from
the honor and pleasures which it afforded,
rather than from necessity. Thus, a few
months previous 10 our story, Lucy Dutton
left for the first time her tireside circle, to
take the charge of school some twenty
miles from her native town.
For some while her letters home were
expressive only of the happy contentment
which sprang from the consciousness of
active usefulness, of ofreceiving while impart-
ing good. But anon there came change.
Then were those records for home charac-
terlzed by titful gayety, or dreamy sadness
lndefnable hopes and fears seemed strue-
CLING for supremacy in the writer troubled
little heart. Lucy loved, but scarcely ac-
knowledged it to herself, while she knew
not that she was loved. SO for time, that
second birth of womans nature was like a
warm sunrise struggling with the cold mist
of the cold morning.
But one day brought a letter which could
not be forgotten in the home of the abse Mt,
and letter traced by hand that trembled
In sympathy with d heart tumultuous with
happiness. Lucy had been wooed and won,
and she but waited her parents approval Of
her choice, to become the betrothed of Ed
win w., a man of excellent family
and standingin the town where she had been
teaching. The father and mother accorded d
their sanction with many blessings, and
Lucy's next letter promised speedy visit
from the lovers.
10 such natures as Lucy's what an alb
sorblng and yet what revealing of self is
f1rst passlon-what prodigality of Civ
ing, what an incalculable wealth of receiv-
ing-what breaking up is there Of the
deep waters of the soul. and how heaven
descends III sudden star-shower upon life.
1t there is season when an angel may look
with interest upon her moral sister, it is
when she beholds her heart pass from its
bud-llke Innocence and girlhood, and task
ing to its very core the tervid light of love,
glow and crimson into perfect womanhood.
AT last the plighted lovers came, and well
comes and festivities awaited them. Mr..
w., gave entire satisfaction to father and
mother, and even the exacting ''beauty."
tie was handsome man, with some pre-
tensions to fashion; but in manner, and ap-
parently in character, the opposite of his
betrothed.
1t was decided that Lucy should not again
leave home until after the marriage, which,
at the request OF the ardent lover, was to 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 May morning of surprising
lovellness the busy hours had worn away
and now 1t was nigh sunset, and neither the
bridegroom nor Ellen, the first bridesmaid,
had appeared. Yet in her neat little cham
Der sat Lucy, nothing doubling, nothing
tearing She was already in simple white
muslin, and her bridal ornaments lay on the
table by her side. Miss Allen, her second
bridesmaid, a bright-eyed, atfectionate heart
ed girl, her chosen friend from childhood,
was arranging to more graceful fall the
wealth OF light ringlets which swept her
snowy neck. To the anxious inquiries of her
companion respecting the absent ones Lucy
smiled quietly and replied:
"Oh, something has happened to detain
them awhile we heard from them the other
day, and all was well. They will be here by
and by, never fear"
Evenlng came, the guests were assembled, /,
and yet the bridegroom tarried There were
whispers and surmise and wonderings, and
a shadow OF anxiety passed over the face Of
the bride elect. At last a carriage drove
rather slowly up to the door.
''Ihey have come J" cried many voices,
and Ellen entered. In reply to the hurried
inquiries and confusion of all around him
Mr.. W. muttered something about ''una-
voidable delay" and stepping up to the
slde-board, tossed off a glass of wine, anoth-
er and another. The company stood silent,
with amazement. Finally rough old farm
er exclaimed: ''Better late than never.
young man-so lead out the BRIDE
w. strobe hastily across the room, and
placed himself by Ellen and took her hand
in his Then, without daring to meet the
eye OF any about him, he said: Il wish to
make an explanation-I am under the pain
full necessity-that is, have the pleasure
to announce that | am already married.
The lady whom | now hold by the hand is
my wife!"
Then, turning in an apologetical manner
to MIR. and Mrs. Dutton, he added 81