Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-04-26
THE LES son;

Are you going out again, dear ?' said
pretty Mrs. Hart to her husband, as, rising
from the tea.table, he went to the hat-rack
and taking therefrom his hat, twrled it about
before putting it on.
es my dear. | have an engagement to
meet a gentleman on business, he replied.
buttoning his coat up to the neck.
80 you always have something to take you
out; | thought We could have cosy evening
at home," said the wife, with a slight petu.
lance, though sadly too.
"Why, my dear, what would you have I?
Here you have music, the last novel, the la.
test magazines; have you not enough to amuse
you for a few hours ? You need not wait up.
by-the-by it will probably be late before we
get through" and touching her forehead with
his lips he was gone.
Mrs. Hart returned slowly to the sitting
room, arranged and re-arranged the furniture,
and at length seated herself in a luxurious
chair, put her feet upon the fender and took
up the last novel But neither golden-haired
angel nor raven.haired sinner had interest for
her, and wearily closing the book, she fell
into a sad revery. She spent many evenings
thus, for her husband, fair type of the mod
ern Benedict, was business man" and had
little time, or imagined that he had, to give
to his wife.
The time piece on the mante struck eight :;
an idea occurred to her and rising hastily,
she rang the bell for her maid. In few
moments she appeared.
Annette, said her mistress, tell Thomas
to have the carriage at the door in an hour,
and then you come and dress me; | am going
out"
The girl silently obeyed, and Mrs. Hart,
turning the gas low, left the room, and en-.
tering her dressing room, began to make her
toilet. The dark hair was curled and braid
ed, the soft silk covered with softer lace,
swept around her, while jewels cleaned upon
neck and arms. Bidding Annette tell her
master, in case he returned before she did
that she had gone to Mrs Elders party, she
entered the carriage and rolled away.
Mrs. Elders large parors were crowded,
and dancing had already begun when Mrs
Hart entered, upon the arm of her host. Her
hostess met her in the center of the room
and greeting her cordially, turned to gentle
man at her side, saying gaiy:
Ernest, | will confde to your care my
friend Mrs. Hart; allow me, my dear, TO
present my cousin, Mr. Cloud be sure you
return her to me unscathed, as | am respon-
sible for her." and turned away to greet new
comers
DO you like these assemblies, Mrs
Hart y were the first words he addressed to
her, as they made their way slowly to a sofa
upon which she seated herself, while he stood
near.
" Only as a relief from utter loneliness a
crowd, though not so welcome as one or few
choice friends, is still to be preferred to solt-
ude," replied Mrs. Hart, unconscious that she
was giving those keen blue eyes peep into
her inner life and grieis.
"' Solitude and loneliness for you you
should not know their meaning" with look
that conveyed boder hattery than even did
his words.
Perhaps should not if do, it is prob.
ably my own fault" she reoined with a light
laugh.
Why your own fault? You do not look
like one to whom society is displeasing"
You Halter my tastes are domestic, and
| prefer a quiet evening at home with books,
music, and a choice friend to these gay scenes
it may be bad taste in me, but is true, never.
theless"
81 understand and sympathize with you,
but il is rarely that lady whose attractions
tit her to shine in society prefers to twinkle
by her own 6reside for the benefit of one poor
mortal"
Aud still more rarely does the poor NOR
al a.. L.. Il. l.