Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-05-31

ival pIettyt hnu in ttYle lot once, ana then
you must wear it, too, and not lay il aside for
your grandchildren"
Those very mythical grandchildren were
the standing scapegoat in the family for whose
benefit all carefully treasured articles were
said to be preserved.
Just at the sunset, Margaret was out 10 the
yard gathering seeds from the late asters, sole
survivors Of the frosts. Suddenly the slow
iolling Of the church bell smote on her ear,
aud she stopped to listen. Toling for death
What dwelcr in country places but knows
the solemn cadence as the plaintive sounds
come borne over bill aud valley, telling that
some household is smitten, ssme chamber is
larkened and some hear, is crushed and bleed
ing
Mrs. Goulds baby was dead then, probably
and Margaret's tender sympathes went forth
to the stricken mother. It was but few
weeks since she had seen the child in its moth.
er's lap at the afternoon visit; she remem.
bered wei the full blue eye so bright and
pleasant, and the white square forehead, with
It's crown Of Aaxen gold. All that beauty
was lost to earth now, and it is too much to
expect that in the first violence Of grief the
sore heart shall realize the infinite gain II is
to the dear departed to exchange earth for
heaven. But Oh these precious little ones
so early transplanted They are but taken
away from the evil to come--how much evil
God only can foresee
only little llfc and yet IL led to Heaven,
The home that longer ones may never win,
She had no wanderings to be forgiven
Before The golden door could let her In.
Margaret repeated the words softly, tears
of absolute sympathy yelling up in her dear
Old eyes, for the family to whom she knew
this baby loss would be so severe. The bell
ceased It's tolliug, and directly from Mr. Han
sons house a little way down the road came
the merry tinke of the new piano, and Isa-
bel sweet voice in gay accompaniment. The
air was so still and clear that Margaret could
hear the words distinctly
beautiful bells Oh, beautiful bells
Ringing W sweeuy again and again.
so il was as it ever is, in this checkered
world Of ours. Hearts were breaking, and
hearts were bounding, SO near together and at
/ tie same time.
There was iootstep behind her, and Mar.
glret turned to encounter Miss Araninta
Smith, with her mop Of haxen curls now re.
leased from the curl papers, and her corset
strangled form arrayed in dress Of startling
pads, ruiied aud Hounced to the last degree.
So they adjourned to the house aud the cheer.
iul light Of the stting.room fre--the old.
fashioned Fireplace before which Marion, hav.
Ing washed the tea-dishes, sat on the rug in
As perfectly childish fashion as though she
had bcen five years old instead of thirty.fve.
" ou ought to 90 out and hear Isabel,
new piano said Araminta, somewhat spite.
O. Nh a.. IL Al l..
as | came along, as though it were July in.
stead Of November. Presume she thinks
some beau or other will be going by, and be
so attracted they will have to 20 in," and the
euyious damsel glanced uneasily out of the
window down the road, as though she expect.
ed to see the sight herself.
II soon appeared, however, that her call
was sort of missionary work, for she en-.
ghtened the dark corners of the two sisters
minds with wonderful accounts Of Robert
Mays doings and sayings.
, Hes back and forth ever SO many times a
e day, getting together everything nice to do
. with and the old place will be perfectly ele-
I giant, Miss Araminta italicized her remarks
exceedingy)-" such beautiful taste too, as
he has, and been about the world so much tina;
e he must have seen everything nice, and | do
h think it so strange that he should consult me
d about anything and ask how would do"
q think so too" said the blunt Marion
r to Nlargarets quite amusement and a flash
=. ing Of daggers from Araminta's eyes bu
/. Miss Smith could not well take exceptions tt
d her own echo. She did not say, as she nigh
o truly, that his appeals to her taste were in
variably the result Of over-inquisitiveness OIL
e her part, till in pure self.defence he woulC
r. turn upon her and ask how she would do thii
IS or that She would not appear offended, bu
e toss back her irouzy curls, and glancing agalI
,e uneasily down the road, continued her super.
cilious remarks, as light and unmeaning a
,e any lrothy bubbles, but lacking their grae
re aud rainbow hues.
lie Just as the full moon came up fair an
m golden over the eastern woods, Ro:ert Ma
b. came leisurely up the path, and walked in a
l. the half open door with very-at-home air.
Why Mr.. May" cried Araminta, II
ID so surprised Why didn't you tell me 20
eli we're coming thus betraying the fact that sh
~ was not at all surprised but had been watcl
e. ing for him all the while.
re Roberts cool and quiet reception of til
r. outburst quite set Margarets heart at re-
ou concerning any designs he might have upo
Id the young lady, whatever she might have upo
lir him, and leaving him mostly to Mario-'s car
she set herself to converse with the your
II. lady visitor as though she preferred SUE
h- company to any other Miss Araminta W
he brimming with good-nature and generous
res devoted herself to entertaining Margaret al
Joe, for Mr. May she would have all to he
'as self in a moonlight walk home so she cou
DIV afford to let him talk to Marion now.
ce, 1t was really time for her to be at hon
mt and she must 90, she said at length, after
lin hour or 50, rising and drawing her zebr
zen striped shawl about her shoulders. B
ION though she looked over to Robert May, as
expecting him to start too, he neither br
ret toned up his coat nor took his hat, as a poll
gallant should have done. Marion started U
be however, leaving him in the very midst OF
for elaborate sentence.
the - Going2 It's too bad for you to 60 alo
Int Oh Joe-didnt you say this morning y
to must borrow Mr.. Smiths bog-hoef lie
her walk home with Araminta-it's such
splendid evening
res Joe made no objections, for Marion's
quest was always a law to him, and st
no. Robert and Margaret sat alone in the bri,
hat fire light, just as they were wont to do
on, long, long ago.
I'M. He went on to tell her OF his late purch
to and the improvements he contemplated.
it knew every nook and corner Of the old pl,
mt. so she could enter into the spirit Of the
the rangements with a perfect understanding
to them aud up in her silly old heart crept
re- thought" Why should he take pains to
ra. me all these particulars if he did not hope
uld have, Marion to preside there sometime
tile What courage she took from the Sigh
ell pretexts
uId Z" And now, said he, when they had tai
uch it all over, those are my plans and {
ntle lack one thing, The house will want a l
,ces tress when it is done.'
sent Margaret did not blush, nor did her h
cue pulsate whit the faster. She only fe
. CLEAN of qualification that her schemes '
eet. regard to Marion were to succeed after al
ia Il, I have IN tlaa ,vhara \ oan aAcnra an