Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-16

Some spirit IN the sweet, dellcious
freshness of the air, some voice in the
mellow babblc Of the stream, leaping
in and out of sight between the alders,
some smile of light, lingering on the
rising cornfelds beyond the meadow
and the melting purple Of distant
hill, reached to the seclusion of his
heart. He was soothed and cheered !;
his head lifted itself in the PRESENT.
ment of a future less lonely than the
past and the everlasting trouble van
iShed from his eyes.
Suddenly, at a turn of the path, two
mowers from the meadow, with their
scythes upon their shoulders, came
upon him. He had not heard their
feet upon the deep turf. His chest
relaxed, and his head began to sink !;
then, with the most desperate effort
of his life, he lifted it again, and.
darting a rapid side glance at the men,
fastened by. They could not under
stand the mixed look Of defiance and
supplication of bis face; to them he
only looked "queer."
Been committin' a murder, have
you? ?" asked one Of them, grinning.
Startin' off on his journey, guess" "
said the other.
The next instant they were gone,
and Jacob, with set teeth and clenched
hands, smothercd something that
would have been a howl if he had
given it voice. Sharp lines Of pain
were marked on his face, and, tor the
first time, the idea of resistance took
fierce and bitter possession of his
heart. But the mood was too unus-
uaI to last; presently he shook his
head, and walked toward Pardon'S
farmhouse.
Ann wore smart gingham dress,
and her first exclamation was: "Why,
Jake how nice you look. Aud so
you know all about it, toO?"
About what ?"
" | see you don't" said she. a was
too fast; but it makes no difference.
| know you are willing to lend a help
ing hand"
40, to be sure" Jacob answered.
"And not mind little company ?"
Jacobs face suddenly clouded; but
he said, though with an effort; No
not much--if can be of any help
" It's rather a joke, after all, Ann
Pardon continued, speaking rapidly;
they meant a surprise, few of the
young people; but sister Becky found
way to send me word, or | might
have been caught like Meribah Johnson
last week, in the middle of my work I;
eight or ten, she added, "but many
may drop in; and it's moonlight and
warm, so they'll be mostly under the
trees; and Robert won't be home till
late, and | Do want help in carrying
chairs, and getting up some ice, and
handing around; and, though | know
you don't care for merry-making, you
can help me out, you sec"
Here she paused. Jacob looked
perpiexed, but said nothing.
Becky will help what she can, and
while I'm in the kitchen she'll have an
eve to things outside" she said.
Jacobs head was down again, and
moreover, turned on one side, but the
ear betrayed the mounting blood
Finally he answered in quick, husky
voice: "Well, I'll do what | can
What frst?'
Thereupon he began to carry some
benches from the veranda to grassy
bank beside the sycamore tree. Ann
Pardon wisely said no more of the
coming surprise party, but kept him so
employed that, as the visitors arrived
by twos and threes, the merriment was
in full play almost before he was
aware Of it. Moreover, the night was
a protecting presence; a moonlight
poured splendidly upon the turf be-
yond the sycamore, but every lilac
bush and trelii8 of woodbine made a
nook of shade, wherein he could pause
a moment and take courage for his du-
ties. Becky Morton, Ann Pardon 5
youngest sister, frightened him lit
tie every time she came to consult
about arrangement of seats or the
distribution of refreshments; but ii
was a delightful, fascinating fear,such
as he had never felt before in his life.
He knew Becky, but he had never seen
her in white aud pink, with floating
tresses, until now. In fact, he had
hardly looked at her fairly, but now
as she glided into the moonlight and
he paused in the shadow, his eyes took
note of her exceeding beauty. Some
sweet, confusing influence, he knew
not what, passed into his blood.
The young men had brought fid
| dler from the village, and it was not
long before most Of the company
were treading the measures of reel;
or cotillons on the grass. How merry
and happy they all were. How free
ly and unembarrassedly they moved
and talked By and by all became
involved in a dance, and Jacob lef
alone and unnoticed, drew nearer anC
nearer the gay and beautiful life from
which he was expelled.
With long drawn scream of tn,
fiddle the dance came to an end, ant
the dancers, laughing, chattering, pant
ing and tanning themselves, broke int,
groups and scattered over the enclos
, ure before the house. Jacob was sur
rounded before be could escape
Becky, with two lively girls in he
, wake, came up to him and said: "(
. Mr.. Flint, why don't you dance? ?"
If he had stopped to consider, h
. would no doubt have replied very di
: ferently. But a hundred question
| stirred by what he had seen, wer
: clamoring for light and they thre'
i the desperate impulse to his lips.
= "lf | could dance, would you dane
with me ?"
: The two girls heard the words an
: looked at Becky with roguish faces.
!. 40 yes, take him for your neA
y partner p cried one.
). q will" said Becky, "after he come
back from his journey"
Then all three laughed. Jaco
n leaned against a tree, his eyes fxe
. on the ground.
= "Is it a bargain ?" asked one Of IL
. girls.