The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-03-25

her young girlhood and carrying her int
drcamlaDd Of ha' piness that could ncv
er be realized.
And the child. as she listened wor
shipped. "a she might bow before Il demi
god, never thiuking,in her sweet humility
that she was no more than any othe
model to the artist. He was paintin.
her Undinc dress and face, just as HI
had painted the trees and brooks of May
vile. lie was to marry Bellies cousr
Blanche, whose beauty, and talents, Jcs
sic sat far above her own.
Blanche, always gracious, winning, and
anxious to please, would visit the studio
as the painting progressed, arranged the
soft drapery, looping the wreath in the
waving, golden hair, and often bending
to caress the fair face Of the graceful lit.
tie model. No thought Of jealousy ever
stirred her heart, which was essentially
trusting and noble.
Raymond was hers. She never doubt.
ed his love and loyalty, even when the
sad end of Jessie's dream broke upon
them.
The summer was fading, and the trees
arraying themselves in their gorgeous au'
tumn apparel before the Undino was fin
ished. Belle had returned to school, but
Jessie was still at Mayville, as Blanche's
guest, aud half-invaid A cold contract.
ed at a pic mic had resulted in an obsti.
nate cough, and the doctor had advised o
prolonged holiday which her guardian
allowed her to spend with Blanche.
She was seemingly very happy, assist.
ing in the dainty sewing of the tro1sseau
sharing the walks and rides of the lovers
and spending hours at the piano But
she was fading, growing paler, slighter
mere spiritually lovely every day.
The day came when Blanche learned
the secret Of the pure young heart, and
grieved with ssterly love the bitter re.
gret at the cruel hahn she had so limo.
Gently aided.
1t was soft, warm day in September
and Jessie was languid and i'll. She had
been lying asleep upon lounge in the
sitting-room and Blanche, with some
delicate embroidery, sat near her. Up.
on the stiffness Of the room Raymond
voice broke, as he came strolling across
the lawn from the hotel 10 the village
He was singipg, g,SSG9s SSG9s ofJIfsgatt li6atod in at
the open window, and awakened the
sleeper. Over her cheeks crept a faint
flush, her lips parted in rapturous smile
the large dark eyes opened with glad
light, aud the whole face for moment
seemed transfgured. In flash the truth
burst upon Blanche, and she left the room,
fearful that her face would betray her
What have We done, she thought
as she stood alone, trying to calm her.
self. She loves Raymond and does no,
know it. Will she die? Is this killing
her? Oh what have we done
She came to the room again, to fnd
Jessie still lying quietly, half asleep, Q
happy smile upon her lips. Raymond
had passed to the other side of the house
to find his betrothed in her lavorite room
the library.
1t required all Banche's selfcontro
to meet Raymond without any sign o.
agitation. She never blamed him.-Tht
harm had been wrought without purpost
or intention, of that she was sure, but i
was to conceal her knowledge Of it, 0,
decide what course to pursue. If it wer'
cruelty to part the girl from the objec
of her hearts devotion, surely it was
mistaken kindness to allow the infatua
ton to go further. Blanche felt he
heart torn as she tried to think over tn
situation.
Should she tell Raymond and put hin
on his guard against offering the chill,
any further attentions. Blanche, ono
awakened, wondered how they had al
been so blind. Looking back, she coul,
recall thousand instances of the powe
Raymond held over the young girl
heart. The chidlike intelligence tha
had quickened, warmed. and expande
under the interest excited by the artist
conversation, the hours spent pouring owe
some poet Raymond had quoted tn
wonderful impromptu music evoked b
his suggestion Of a theme.
oh, Undine Undine = Blonch
thought, Has love, indeed, given yo
your soul Are you woman now, poo
child, only to love, and suffer throug
your loyo?'
Raymond thought Blanche was yer
silent, as they took long lovers stro
through the shady lanes and grove
around Mayvillo but he was plannin
in his mind wonderful boudoir for b.
brides new home, and willing to let he
dream if she allowed him the sam
privilege.
have not described Mayville, but
becomes a necessity now to give the plac
few words. The late Mr.. Byrne ha
acquired larg, fortune when advance
in years, by the death of a relative. vii
left him sole heir to the wealth accuml
lated by lifetime ofmiserly saving. NJ
Byrnc owned a large farm and sui
stantial farm house, and declined to lea,
either the one or the other when he b.
came u rich man, but made no nppostio
to Mrs. Byrne's suggestion to turn ii
house into fashionable country res
dence. While the undermining proce
was at its height, Mr. Byrre sbufiied O
this mortal coil, aud was carried to h
grave by the back door, tho front one b
ing covered by huge scaffold.
1t was clearly impossible to leave Il
house as it was; so Mrs. Byrne, inheri
ed her husbands fortune, had the bull
ing finished to suit her own IDEAS, an
as years passed on, Mayville became
popular resort for large circle of friend
But there was not wanting wise heads
shake obviously over the house itse
and assert tina, present grandeur injur,
its former soldity. A few warnings hi
been given in the fall of some o. the mo
ern ornaments in the plaster and a gra
ual settling of one corner of the house. =
, Mrs. Byrne had declared her intcnti
| of leaving Mavyille when Rlanche ma