The Van Buren press., 1870-03-22

whose own happy marriage had been q
decided love match, and happy one.
But Georgiana, who had now taken a
lowly seat before the fire, and was gazing
into the Goals, had had very different
experience. She, too, had loved with all
ner soul, and the man she loved, after
paying her every attention all summer,
had suddenly departed without word,
Tilted her, she bitterly told her herself,
and now love seemed like the cruelest OF
meckeries The sting was not gone yet,
and in her reckless, defiant mood, she had
almost determined to marry Mr. Hart
and be worldly. These were the thoughts
in her heart, as she sat before the fire in
rather dreamy attitude, her little hands
lying listlessly on her lap, and the unshed
tears gathering in her beautiful eyes.
There was the turning Of !" hey IN tnc
'front.' door. Mr. Charlton Lad come home.
40, there's John" said the little wife
hurriedly, "pray, don't, Georgia, say any
thing about that missing So
Mrs Charlton shut down the desk-lid,
and flew about for Johns dressing. gown
and slippers, and thus for that evening
etfcctually diverted his mind from the
dangerous subject Of accounts. Georgia.
too, came brilliantly to the rescue, and
joking with her good-natured brother in
law.
40, by the bye, Georgia he said,
suddenly, "whom shall / invite to sit op-
posite you at the table to morrow? We
ought to have some one here to eat New
Years dinner with us, and not leave a
whole side Of the table empty. Shall l
ask Mr.. Hart p
"No, | thank you," said Georgia, max
ing a stately bowl shall invite Baby
to be my Wis avis. and fasten her up in
her little high chair to eat plum pudding"
Glow different it was last year" said
Laura thoughtfully; "mamma was here
then, and Johns Uncle Gray with his
two boys and Cousin Phil "
The shutters were closed, the curtains
drawn, and as the New Years owe pass
ed softly away, the Charltons did not
know how the snow clouds were filling
all the sky, and how fast and thick the
flakes were falling on the whitened streets
and roofs.
Happy New Year! Happy New Year.
The salutation went round next morning
and even baby ecstatically shouted, zap
py moo ear"
"But, oh John see how it SHOWS" ex
claimed Mrs. Charlton, as she lifted up
the curtain; ait is almost up to tho
horses knees and ever so much deeper
where it has drifted. Come here, baby,
and see the pretty white snow"
When they descended to the breakfast
room, thore was Georgiana with a scar.
let shawl hugged tightly round her shoul
ders, her face CLOSE to the window pane,
looking out disconsolately at the falling
whirling, dancing flakes.
New, do you suppose that postman
is such coward as to let a storm like
this keep him from his rounds this morn
ing p was her first question as her sister
entered.
"Why, what's the matter now, Geor.
gle 7" exclaimed Mrs. Charlton, laughing
+" Ono would think your whole fate de-
pended upon getting letter this morn
ing"
"Perhaps 1t does" said Gcorgiana,
turning away from the window d" it is q
curious study in life how often the great
things are determined by the little ones"
Tho breakfast hour passed away event
less-Mr. Charlton mourned over the
lateness Of his morning paper, and Mrs.
Charlton silently wondered whether the
snow would keep the market man from
sending in his bill that day. If it could
be postponed till John gave her her next
quarters allowance, then her mistake
might be SO easily managed, Or If she
could only find the lost memorandum.
Meanwhile her sister, feeling low-spirit.
ed, and utterly at odds with life, tried,
nevertheless, to sip her coffee with an air
and wear brave holiday smile.
Suddenly there was the grand excite
ment Of the postman's well known ring.
1.-TWO hours late" said Mr.. Charlton,
looking at his watch and then Fastening
to the door for little news from the out
side world. Two letters, and the news
paper, too, for n wonder. The postman
said he had found the ncwsboy up to his
elbows in drift at the top of the hill, so
he offered to help him by taking all the
papers for this street. The man looked
like q polar bear, with his shaggy coat,
and hat, ard beard, all white with the
thick, cold snow. There would be no
more letters for that day, he said, for the
trains were all detained, and there was no
knowing when any OF them would get in
The horse cars had not run since mid.
night, and there was only two or three
omnibuses, or runners.
"Is there a letter for me?' asked
Georgiana, looking at his hand.
"No, miss But two for Laura per.
haps she will divide"
If Georgy had hoped to find any straw
to cling to in tho postmans coming, it
has been in vain. Had she hoped for
anythngY She hardly knew herself;
anyway, it was all over now, and she
started rather aimlessly to leave the room.
Laura called after.
"Gcorgic, dear, would you.mind stay
ing with baby a little while for me ?
Nurse is hall sick, and want TO 60 down
in the kitchen to sec about dinner. = She
wont be much trouble, will she If you
only keep an eye on her, and see that she
is happy with her playthings. Nurse will
be in the next room, and you can take
your work or your reading"
"Just what / should like" said Geor-
gle, Frightening. "ill take care Of her
tho whole morning, Laura, and you
Ia l;st,,kal 4 nj hos nj oll ~ -,