National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-08-23

! tHt'NtNl0E uluCllnt III tue NlnuoW, lhClnE
the dull, leadcn ligh, ol the November day,
and sat down to stitch wristbands. She
had beeu married more than a year, aud
was making her first shirt for John. She
was vely thoughtful, "a doggcd pain on
her face all the while,
"Pcrhars ! shall stay 10 Aunt Apple
tons 10 tea" she saiu to her husband at
the dinner table. "Ji do you will come
Tor Inc, won't you?n
He reflected a moment.
al told you last night, Gcorey, that l
hould have TO be from home an hour or
two this evening. There Is to be mest-
M Of the official, OF the mill at half-past
seven. should be too tired TO dress and
2, up to Your aunt's afterwards.
II have !orgotten," she said quietly So
quietly that he thought she did not care.
When he was gone she went TO her bed
room TO arrange her toilet iot the c2'l. She
had genius Tor dress and, despite the
mended gloves, she looked as stl lish as she
did pretty.
Just rs she approached her aunt's gate
old Mrs. Halliburton, in her yelyets end
steelcst OF .teel.colorcd silks, was be-
hg handed from her carrisgc by her son.
The IIalibultons were the owreIs Of the
mill in which Jsbn Randall was employed,
Stephen the only ,on, had Just returned
from n five years re idencc abroad. These
two facts caused Georgy to scrutinl2c the
mother and son somewhat closely and do
ing so, Stephen llalibulton raised his hat
to her,
A pretty face" he remarked, careless.
ly, to his mother :" suppose it is some
one | have known or should know"
Old Mis-. Halliburton, with her keen
eyes aud beak nose glanced sharply back
toward Georgy, whom she mad not perceiy-
ed. and nodd.s.
1T is that young person whom Jane
Appl, ton brought up. She is married now
to one ut our men, ! believe"
Geoggy found Paul Appleton and hs
bride holding sort OF formal reception.
Tie rooms-where her own wedding had
been solemnzed q year before were quite
filed with guests. 4 very dainty and
graceful bride was the new Mrs. Paul, IN
her lavender tram and point lace shawl.
Gcorgy tired not to feel the least tinge OF
envy as sh2 looked a, h-r.
Aunt Appleton had always sense OF
gratitude towards Der protege for having
/ iul borne to laS cinate either OG her own
ma1iageable boy-, and this gratitude crop
ped out in active kindness under the eXul-
alton she ielt over Paul's match.
Georgy moved easily about the we'll
| furnished rooms; somewhat she seemed
iast fitted for such surroundings. The
subdued, well bred manners, the faint
perfumes the refined faces, and the rich
dresses, were like stimulant to her. She
needed such quicketing to be fully
herself. Her composed, delicate beauty
unfolded to perfection in tsis atmosphere.
She had been talking to one and anoth-
or, taking in shapes and trimmings with
her quick artists eye, and in pause was
just rejecting upon tho hang OF the new
curtnies when a voice said near her
~ seem not to he able 70 recall yen at
all, Mrs. Randall. Yet must have known
you before went away. Ny mother has
Just told Inc your Same and | have come
to reclaim acquaintance II you will lpermit
me-"
81 remember you perfectly, Mr.. Hall
burton Georgy returned quietly. 81
was hardly grown up when you left Ms,
five years ago
Five years ? All, true enough !
Won't you take this chair What a love
ly lily! Why, it is not real?'
NO; those Wax flowers are very like
nature, tho Igh - almost plagiarism;
don't you ti.iA so, Mr.. Halliburton
why, yes. 1t must be quite difficult
to make them. dare say they bring a
good price"
Under her serene smile quick thought
went through Georgy Randalls's mind.
She began to examine the gentleman be-
fore her with interest.
Stephen Halliburton was gentleman by
habit, and man of the world by force
of circumstances. But nature inteRded
him for a dligent, painstaking, perser
verins man of business.
If he was not great or very good
man, it was because he had so much time,
SO much money, SO much ilattery. He
was spoiled by his opportunities, yet he
needed only the right influence to elevate
him beyond himself. He was thirty years
old now-he was past the age when man
disdains to be led by a woman. But
Stephen Halliburton had never disdained
it. He had always been led by the keen
eyed, beak-nose woman in steel silk, who,
as Georgy talked with the heir, sat hold
ing her wine-cup up to the freight not far
The heir seemed to like Mrs. Randalrs
talk perhaps because there was so little
OF it. In return he was rather unreserved
--gossiping about his plans and his pros
poets. tie sald that he was glad to get
home. He meant to settle down at Mill
viila unu. lpoi, oftar hie factoriaS opd
the operatives, ana introduce some improv
ments He wanted better class OF work
more tasteful designs; he hadn't seen
pretty print from the factory. Didn't
Mrs Randall agree With him ~
Yes; che agreed with him. 1t was
strange basis for parlor gossip - oils,
chemicals, designs for culicoes He was
surprised to hud how much she knew
about it; and she--she was a little sur
prised herself The most delicate pink
begun to flush her checks, the irises of her
eyes grew into great black fakes, full u
luster All at once, at last, she turned a
casual glance without the window.
"Why," she said, with slight start |
ait is almost dark. And believe it is
raining. ] must go at once"
She stepped towards the window. Great
plashing drops were falling upon the
flagstones. The dull November daylight
was almost gone.
Mr.. Halliburton rose also.
"Did YOU walk z" he inquired. "Let |
US take you home. Ny mother will be
going soon"
The little stir attracted Mrs. Appleton,
who-must of the guests having gone