The Van Buren press., 1872-02-13
VAN BUREN, ARE, FEBRUARY l3. 1872

There was fusue lllu Hutlsi VI i""s'
lin, the sound Of light sprngy step,
the glimpse of a fairy form, and Mrs.
Winslow stood before me. She was no
very beautiful, but sparkling and vlca
cious, with glow Of health on her
cheek snd its light in her eye.
The baby bad reused up now, to be
sure, no more of its quiet and calmness,
no more OF its thoughtful serenity IT'S
little form fairly 0uttered with joy; 1t
laughed, ciapping 1t dimpled hands.
you've come to stay all day with me,
haven't your and baby had such good
company while mamma was gone hadn't
it - She said in light, chirrupy way
that set off the little fellow with renew
cd delight. Her invitation had only sec
ondcd my design, 50 removing my bon
net and mantlla, while she sat down on
the rocker and took the baby, we pro
pared to enjoy tho day and each others
society.
can't tell what we talked about. No;
it wasn't Of balls, nor operas, nor hons,
nor sights. No; Not neighbors char
actsr was dissected. No; the infirmi-
ties of the clorgymen were not shown
UP. No; not morsel of private scan
9al was cut or carved. But the time
flew swiftly and pleasantly after dinner,
and when the great round sun was sink
ing behind trees that burned and glowed
in the rich warm light, she came to where
| was sitting, and wthouta a word laid a
portrait nmy lap. 1t was that OF no
bic looking man, with most expressive
and faultless features
"Is it your husband y asked.
"My husband as he was, she an
swered with a sigh "lou have never
seen Lim 2"
Ireplied in the negative
at is almost time for him To be here, y
she contidued "You will stay with us
this evening.
/ replied that / should be happy to
form his acquaintance, and again looked
at his portrait.
- lie doesn't look like that now. " she
answered, wping away tear. Yet he
says, and blush ovcrspread her fea-
lures, :" he SAYS he shall ever have cause
to bless the fire by which he lost his
good looks, but whica won him what he
esteemed Il thousand times more yalua-
bic. -
"What was it?' asked, with an an
accountable dulluess of apprehension.
She pointed archly and with sweet
smile to the wedding ring.
"Do tell me the story; | should be
delighted to hear it. v
Again she smiled, saying
Il do not know thatyou will consider
it very interesting; however, several
reasons conspire to make me wish that
You should know all, and since you have
never heard, perhaps may as well tell
you.
" Certainly, certainly,
"You see when Mr.. Winslow FIRST be-
gan his attentions to me ! WASH at all
pleased He was handsome kiew, but
| hal set my mind very foolissily, sup
pose, on having rich husband, and one
that could keep me above the necessity
OF work 50 ! sighted and repulscd
him upon all occasions, making him feel
not merely indifferent, but actual loath
ing and scorn. Such treatment one
might have supposed would have quickly
obllterated his passions on the contrary
however, ii seemed only to increase 1t.
about this time | formed the ac-
quaintanee Of city gentleman, whom
rumor reported immensely rich, and
whose intense seldshness was vcled be-
meath manner Of the utmost suavity.
His attentions to me were marked, and
not to be mistaken--and though he had
not spoken of love, he acted and looked
it, and believed him.
AZ this time lived with my mother,
ii our beautiful cottage at North Bend
the place was very gay, and the social
parties large and frequent; ] mingled in
them .all, and Barton was my escort.
Sometimes | saw Winslow, but he sci.
dom approached me. though his deep,
sad eyes seemed following me.
"It was in October, think, the at
mosphere dry and cool, with night winds,
when rs we were returning from party,
late at night, was surprised and shock
ed by the appearance in the distance OF
deep red light that seemed to climb
the sky and quench the very stars. \
wild and awful presenlimcnt Of approach.
ing evil at the same instant crossed my
mind
IF that should be our house, " | al
most shrieked.
Nonsense--it is much farther of,
exclaimed Barton
"But was not satisfied, and hurried
on eagerly dragging him with Inc. "
1--WE came nearer and ncaeer. My
fears were all too true. 1t was indeed
our beautiful home. wrapped in one
broad sheet OF smoke and flame And
forked tongues were tapping the pillars,
and shooting from the windows. while
up at one Of the sky.lights stood my
mother in her night dress.
with one wild shrek called the at
tcntion of the crowd to her situation.
Tundreds-of people had by this time col
lected, though chiefly, it seemed, for the
qualification of curiosity. Some were
running with ropes and ladders, others
shouting and giving orders, which no
one seemed inclined TO obey.
My mother, my mother. ! cried,
{" will no one go to the assistance Of my
mother! Z!
Every moment the flames increased
with astonishing rapidity, surging and
roaring like the sea in a storm. Still