Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-12
aWbere Is Harry I,andon father Pn

replied:
"He presumed too far on my friendship
and il was desirable to both him and my.
self that he should seek employment else.
where"
Her beautiful, truthful eyes were still
gazing into his with an eager, anxious
expression. She sunk down on a stool al
his feet, leaned her head caressingly
ed, with blush suffusing her pretty
child-like face:
Father, did he tell you that he loved
your daughter !? And was it that you sent
him away for?''
eyes, Gertie. He might have known ]
could not listen for moment to his suit
He is very worthy young man but re.
ally it was very presuming in him to"
"Presuming, father, in an honorable,
worthy man to love me? don't think it
so. And, father, he has told you his
secret; I will do SO too. Although he
may never know it, 1 love Harry Lam
don"
| There was much said between tbs
father and child, she gently pleading for
her love, he Gliding and unyielding. A
year had gone by since then. Occasion
ally Gertie would meet Harry Landon on
the street. Once they stood side by side
at the church door, and Gertie could not
resist placing her hand in his, and not
withstanding the probability of Mrs.
Grundy's declaring it very unmaidenly,
she whispered
81 know all. And though may never
be yours, will never wed another"
Harry was nearer happiness then, than
he had dreamed of ever being again. Now
| that he was assured of her love, her con-
stancy, he would hope, and work on,
As Andrew Foster stood before the
window that New Years morning, look
ing out on the passers-by, many pleasant
looking faces greeted him with smile,
and "Happy New Year, sir"
A moment more and the room door
was thrown open, and his boy, his only
one, the youngest of his children, came
running up, crying out:
"Happy New Year for papa! See,
papa. Eddie's happy. New Years day,
with new clothes, new boots, new every
thing. l am going to be new boy too.
Gertie says everybody must try to make
somebody happy to-day I am going to
make Nellie happy, for Til stop teasing
her. I wish !-Oh, I wish mamma was
here" His blue eyes filled with tears
and his lips quivered, and in sorrowful
voice he continued: 81 wish I'd been
new boy when mamma was here"
Was everybody striving to place before
him, hold up for his inspection, his harsh
ness Was everyword intended to deal
sure blowp When the little seven
year old Eddie spoke of mamma" An
drew Foster could scarce repress groan.
She was gone. Two years before she
had passed from earth. Oh, if she was
with him, how different he would be
He had been a good husband, and the
gentle wife could not find in him any
thing to reproach. But he knew how
much was left undone. How many little,
loving acts, that make life 80 doubly
sweet, were forgotten then.
Again Eddie's voice sounded in the
fathers ear.
"Papa, are you going to be new man
to-day Papa, make me happy first with
splendid pair of skates. And Nellie
and Gertie must be happy too, papa.
Make Gertie be a new girl, please. She
won't sing and play with us; she's get
ting old, believe"
No argument, no pleading, ne matter
how earnest, could have made such an
impression on Andrew Foster as that
child's Innocent prattle.
Again the door opened, and Gertie and
Nellie were beside him. The kisses were
given and received. The father saw his
child was striving to be cheerful, and not
cast her shadow over him.
He told them all to speak their wish,
u L Al
Eddie and Nellie were quick to tell, but
Gertie said, with smile that threatened
to be tear:
"Give me what you. choose, father. You
give me so much, | have no wish to speak
but" She hesitated-she almost dared
to breathe it forth. No, no; she would |
not cloud his heart that day. She cast
aside the wild hope, and continued
Bring me what you think I'd like;
trust to your decision"
After breakfast he said:
"You will lay aside your deep mourn
ing to-day, my child, and help me receive
my friends. We shall have many, think"
She promised she would /; but her faith
er knew it would be an unpleasant task
that Gertie would much sooner spend the
day quietly with her little ones, or in acts
of love and mercy.
The guests were all gone. The tire
some day was nearly over. Gertie had
thrown herself YEARLY into an arm chair
There was no longer need for dissembl bling
the forced smiles could die away; she
could rest and weep. The children had |.
been made happy. Her father had given
all save her the New-year presents. She
had not cared for any, but she had held
lingering hope that he might come to her
with a word that would break the long
silence, that she might plead anew with
him.
Andrew Foster had closely watched his
child, as she did, with so much dignity
and grace, the honors of his elegant estab-
lishment. And he saw, through the mask
she wore, never so plainly was visible the
changes that the last year had wrought in
her beautiful face.
When he saw her sink so YEARLY into
the chair, his heart smote him, and he
went out quickly Possibly he feared,
should he linger, he might grow weak
and relent.
Gertie heard the hall door close, and
The knew her father had gone out for the
evening likely.
How long she remained she knew not,
Dreaming. Not sleeping dreams were
hey. Her mood of depression had taken
wings. and she was smiling gently, sweet
y. Visions of happier times were before
lere.
A cautious step approached. She heard
t, yet moved not, nor opened her eyes.
'he wished not to throw of the sweet in
luence which was over her.
He, her father, bent gently, lovingly ,
yer her, and murmured: =,
'She is sleeping and happy now. Ger
lie - he called softly.
"Father, I've not been sleeping" she d
answered softly. t
II thought you were, and dreamiug-"
Il aOas dreaming happy dreams-vain, 3
Getting Visions she said, her voice filled !
nth sadness.
"Have you forgotten your New-year's =,
lift was to bring you, Gertie ?" he ask 4
d. U
4 Il