National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-01-31
UNAPPRECIATED.

never started to pay n visit with
keener anticipation of pleasure, than
when | accepted the invitation Of my
former pupil, May Gordon, to pass a
few of the summer weeks at Morton
Hill.
May had been my music scholar in
the days when she was May Reeves, be-
fore John Gordon came "a wooing."
without being a beauty, May was one
of the prettiest, most wInsome lassies
it was ever my good fortune to meet
The great charm to all consisted in n
bright yivacity that never degenerated
into "fast" ways, but was the life of
home and social gatherings. Strangers
called hera sunbeam, or by some equally
expressive term of compliment, and she
was universally beloved. Her clear
musical laugh was the very soul of
joyousness.
When John Gordon came from Morton
Hill with letters Of introduction for
many of theleading men in Willoughby,
the village matrons willingly consented
to extend all the honors and hospitahties
of the place. 1t was known that he had
come to sell the old saw-mill and a large
tract of land adjoining to the new rail-
way co npany, and the business portion
of the community said that alone would
make him a rich man. Stories had
reached us, too, of the beauty of Nor
ton Hill, his home in an adjoining
State. He was man of about thirty
five, exceptionally prepossessing in per-
sonal appearance, with manner the
very perfection of graceful courtesy.
Most especially was he deferential to all
women, and when May Reeves won his
love all Willoughby agreed she had
gained pearl of price.
/ must confess l joined in the good
opinion of Willoughby, for the bride
groom elect had given to me, the little
old maid teacher, the same courteous
attentions as he had extended to the
youngest and wealthiest of my pupils,
always excepting SWEET May Reeves,
who captured his heart from their first
meeting 1t was therefore with great
pleasure prepared to visit Morton Hill,
over which May had presided for four
years when she sent for me.
The young girl had been a pupil who
gave me especial love, from the fact that
her dead mother and myself had been
school-mates and close friends from
childhood. One of the last hours Mary
Becyes spent on earth was passed IN
tearfully beseeching me to love her
child, and Mr.. Reeves had allowed May
always to be my pet pupil and dearly
beloved young friend. Still there had
been circumstances that prevented me
from visiting her in her new home until,
as | have said, she had been married
four years.
The carriage from Morton Hill was
waiting for me at the railway station,
and pleasant drive soon brought me
to the large handsome residence of my
former pupil. Asthe coachman opened
the door, little figure in rich silk
ran down the broad stone steps, and
was in my arms in a moment, half
laughing. half sobbing, caressing me
and kissing me, with loving words of
welcome.
Leading me to large, beautifully
appointed room, May allowed me there
to get my first real look into her face.
When | had seen it last, it had been
round and blooming with the fresh
young beauty of eighteen, the eyes
o,vcrhowing always with joyous pleasure
IN hvlng, the sweet mouth ever half
parted in smiles, and the long fair hair
falling i'll a shower of golden ringlets
upon the shoulders. As | looked now,
L could have believed the young wife
mad aged ten years instead of four.
Something was due to the matronly
dress of thick silk, and the arrange
ment Of the hair in fashionable CHG
non, smooth and 81, sy, with no curl,
but still showing the ripping waves of
old. But the face was thin and pale.
the eyes full of mournful sadness, the
mouth grave. Ny sunbeam was GER
tanly in shadow, whatever the cause.
While l was dressing, the patter of
little feet across the hall, and a sweet
treble calling Mamma" prepared me
lor the entrance of the sturdy little
urchln Of two and half years, the heir
OF Morton Hall, or, as May proudly in
troduced him, "Our boy Harvey"
But even the proud light of mother
love only lighted the pale face for a mo-
Iment, as, taking her boy by the hand,
May led the way to the dining-room,
where the bell had already summoned !
us.
;. Here | met my host, courteous and
d..ignitied as ever, charming in conversa-
t,on, t,I, and full of polite inquiry as to
,"lhoughby and its inhabitants. And /
mere, for the first time, began to find |
some of the cause of dear Mays pale
cheeks and sad eyes.
~ may be | gave my penetration too
nuch credit, in thinking my discover
ies came so early; but surely, too sure
far II
followed.
John Gordon surely loved the bright
ssyed girl he nad won frsm her widowed |
= iihSnef, iI.1l, yet slowly and certaisly he was
Alilihg her: The stately courtesy that
was charming in friend, or even in
tfover, never sank (or rose) into the
ianlliar tenderness that every wife
vra'es ,n where she has cast all her treas,