St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1872-03-01


i'll their journey, but also evident that
their thoughts and their longings were
constantly reverting to papa How
much Ellen really indited of these ap-
parently spontaneous letters do not
know; but no doubt their atmosphere
was in part created by her. They
showed. even more than did her own
letters, that papa was still the centre OF
their life. No sight was seen without
the wish-"Oh, if papa were here
and even little Mary, aged five, was
making collection of pressed leaves
for papa, from all the places they Wis
tied. Louise had already great talent
for drawing, and in almost every letter
came two or three childish but spirited
little pictures. all labelled ''Drawn fol
papa :" "The true picture of "ur cOu-
rier i'll rage, for papa to see" 1.-The
washcrwoman's dog, for papa" etc.
etc. Again and again | sat by. almost
trembling with delight, and saw John
spend an entire evening in looking over
these little miSsives and reading Ellen ;
letters. Then again | sat alone and
anxious through the entire evening
when | knew he was with Emma Long
But even after such evening. he new
er failed to sit down and write long pa
ges in his journal letter to Ellen-a
practice which he began of his own ac-
cord, after receiving the first from her
''lia, little Alice. he said. we'll keep
a journal too, for mamma, won't we
She shall not Out-dO us that way
And so. between Alicc's letters and his.
the whole record of our family life went
every week to Ellen: and | do not be
lieve, So utterly unaware about Emma
Long. do not believe that he ever in a
single instance omitted to mention
when he had been with her, where, and
how long.
Emma Long wrote too, and Ellen
wrote to her occasional atfectionate
notes; but referring her always to
Johns diary letters for the details OF
interest. used to study Mrs. Long s
face while these letters were being
read to her. Johns animated delight
his enthusiastic pride, must ii seemed to
me, have been bitter to her. But |
never saw even shade of such feel
ing in her face. There was nothing
base or petty i'll Emma Longs nature.
and, strange as it may seem, she did
love Ellen. Only once did ever see Il
trace of plque or resentment i'll her
manner To John. and then could not
wonder at it. a large package had
come from Ellen, just after tea one
night. and we were all gathered i'll the
library, reading our letters and looking
at the photographs (Shc always sent
unmounted photographs of the place
from which she wrote, and, if possible,
of tho h..uso ia which thoy living,
and the children often wrote above the
windows, ''Pdpd's and mamma's : room.
etc, etc. hour after hour passed
The hall clock had struck ten. when
the door-hell rung violently. Good
heavens" exclaimed John. springimg
up. THAT must he Mrs. Long; totally
forgot that had promised to go with
her to Mrs. Williss party. said
would bc there at nine; tell her | an
upstairs DRESSING" and he was gone he
fore the servant had time to open the
door. Mrs. Long came in. with flush
ed face and anxious look "IS Mr.
Gray i'll ?" she said. He promised to
call for me at nine. To go to Mrs. VIII
li>'>. and have been afraid he might
bc i'll"
Before could reply. the unconsciou,
Alice exclaimed
"Oh, no papa isn't i'll: he is so >or-
rN. hut he forgot all about the party till
he heard you ring the bell. We were
81 busy over mammals letters.
John will he down in Il moment.
added |. lie ran up stairs To drc>,
aS soon a> YOU rang"
For one second Emma Longs face
WAS sad To see. Such astoniShmrut
such pain. were in it. my heart achcd
for her. But then Il look of angry re-
sentiment succeeded the pain. and mere
ly say ing. II am very sorry hut ! cam
not wait for him. 1t is now almost to,
Late to GO" She had left the room and
closed the outer door before could
think of amy words to say.
ran up tn Johns room. and told hin
through the closed door. He made II,
reply for Il moment. and then said :
NO wonder ShriS vcNed. 1t waS I'M
pardomahle rudenc>S. Tell Robert t,
run at once for Il carriage for me"
In very few moments he came
down dressed for the party, but Will
no shadow of disturbance ON his face
He WAS still thinking of the letters
He took up his own. and putting il into
an inside breast pocket. said. as h,
kissed Alice, Papa will take mann
mas letter to the party, if he can't tax,
mammal
shed grateful tears that night hefor,
! went to sleep. How longcd To writ,
to Ellen of the incident; but had lie
solved not once to disregard her rcqucS
that the whole subject he Il sealed one
And | trusted that Alice would rcmem
Der it. Well | might At brcakfaS
Alice said =
"Oh papa, told mamma that yoI
carried her to the party i'll your breas
pocket: that is You carried her letter =
| fancied that Johns cheek flushed
little as he said =
"YOu may tell mamma that pap;
carries her every where in his breaS
pocket, little grille, and mamma w"ul'
understand"
think from that day never feare,
for Ellen's future. | fancied. too, tha
from that day there was Il new light il
John Gray's eyes. Perhaps it NIGH
have been only the new light i'll III.
own; but | think when man know
that he has once, for one hour, .f0ryOtte
woman whose presence has been dan
gelously dear to him, he must he awar
of his dawning freedom.
The winter was nearly over. Ellie
had said nothing to lis about returning
'Dr. Willis tells me that. from wha
Ellen writes to him of her health, h
thinks it would he safer for her to re
main abroad another year." said Joh
to me one morning at breakfast.
"Oh, she never will stay anOthe
wear !" exclaimed |.
Not unless go out to stay with hel
said John, very quietly"
| T. ..n