Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-08

dress
Mrs. Paget was a small, pale bru-
nette, but she had plenty of color in
her cheeks when she answered me.
There would be no use in doing
so, Capt. O8wold. My daughter is
paying a series of visits; really can't
say where she is at present"
That woman is lying said to my
self; and looked quietly from her to
Mr.. Pembridge.
He was smiIing-it seemed to me,
with scornful triumph-at the way in
which my inquiry had been baffled. l
felt that if | stayed there any longer
l should quarrel with this insolent
millionaire.
| went out Of the house, and some
good angel prompted me to go at
once TO Lucy's old home. The first
person | met was the sexton. and
from him | learned the whole story
that Miss Lucy had been verified out
of her life, ever since the wears death,
to marry Mr.. Pembridge. And now
folk do say he ended, that she has
left her home for good and all, and
has gone out governessing.
soon found out that the folk in,
cluded his rheumatic wife, who had
formerly been Lucy's nurse. She
told me where to find my darling, and
when had Lucy once more in my
arms, | forgave Mrs. Paget, and Ralph
Pembridge too; | felt in peace and
charity with all the world.
The sections story had been a true
one. found Lucy in London, stay.
ing with some friends. teaching THEN
children for the sake of a home.
left her there and went back to Cliff
ton.
! told Mrs. Paget that l was in a
position to give Lucy a comfortable
home; but at first the disappointed
woman cried aud made fuss.
Well, l said. you have only tc
consider it in this way. Time has
proved the strength of our attach
ment. If Lucy has not been tempted
to forget me while there was no def
mite promise between US do you thinb
she is more likely to do it when she
knows that | am willing aud able tc
make her my wife tomorrow
Lucy is sadly disobedient and head
strong, Mrs. Paget sobbed.
No, she is not. I'm sure you will
. agree with me'-Mrs. Pagct looked
up in surprise at my fiat denial
when | tell you what she says. She
refuses to be my wife unless you con
sent to our marriage. Come, Mrs
Paset. you are too good a mother tC
. refuse consent to Lucy's happiness
Mrs. Paget was worldly, but she
was not altogether hard-hearted; and
went off to London, and took Lucy
back again to her home.
Well. we were married | need
not add We were happy, but, as l said
at the beginning, though | was GLAD
to be appointed to a better ship, still
it was awful hard to leave Lucy two
months after our wedding day. | left
her at Bristol, in a pretty little home
within q walk Of her mothers house.
| was coming home at last. after 6
years absence. | will not tire yor
by relating how | wearied of the sep
aration- how sometimes | almost ha
ted the profession which could thu,
sunder loving hearts, and then agair
felt ashamed Of my own weakness.
had heard more frequently from
Lucy this time, but had not received
letter for quite three months. II
her last Lucy had said:
Mr.. Pembridge often comes to SEE
me. l suppose [ am silly, but | nev
/ er can feel at ease with him; and, be
sides, [ am not sure, darling, that yol
will like him to visit me-only he i
I so kind to mamma and all of them.
( l smiled as | read. Sweet, guile
less darlingr | thought, even nov
she does not comprehend how entire
ly | trust in her love; and then | sale
to myself that Pembridge was a sill,
old moth, to 90 on singing his wing
so hope!es5ly.
Coming home We touched at Capt
( Verde; and there | met with an oil,
Bristol friend-Captain Tucker, a re
tired Indian officer.
He had just come out from Eng
land. fancied he looked surprises
to see me and | said so.
WELL he said, 4 hardly like t
tell you-it might give you a turr
you know, and yet you'll hear it fas
enough when you get to England, S
. | suppose -
For Gods sake, what is it?'
broke in.
| only thought Of Lucy; wha
might not have happened to her duI
ing these three montlS of silence?
Captain Tucker had a curious, mel
vous Taught sounded singuIarl
out Of place with his answer.
We'll, it's a curious mistake enough
I heard you were dead
| felt a sudden strange spasm ;
my heart; a cold, clammy terrc
seemed to lift my hair from my for,
head.
Good heavens! | stood a minut
gazing at Tucker, and l fancied thel
must have been an alarming expires
ion in my face--he looked so disturI
ed. Who told you?' My voiC
sounded hoarSe even to myself. N
poor. nervous friend stammered, as
. answered
'Well-well II wasn't exact
, told, you know. Your mother-in-la
Mrs. Paget, you know, showed it
me In newspaper.
What paper?'
! We'll, | can't at all remember.
). His nervous ill-assured mann,
made me think he could have told II
if he had tried to recollect. | pres
ed him hard, but he assured me
had forgotten where he had seen tt
report Of my death.
! We'll, it was fortunate | met yoI
: he said: you will be able to wri
: from here, and so prepare your frien
for your return-it will be like re
urrection And he laughed again.
;, Yes; but in my own mind | thoue
= | should reach London as soon as n