Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1873-11-05
One Rainy Day.
ny NILLIE W. CARPENTER.

drip, splash, splash against the window,
vines crcakins aud clouds tossing, aud
great banks of mist lying on the hills.
That was outside. Inside. in the break
fasi-roOm. there was plenty Of light and
warmth aud color. A FIRE kindled Of we'll.
seasoned STICKS Of bard maple-wOOd crack.
led on the hearth. ladies moved about
beamiug 10 prettily got up morning dress
es, the clack licked ell the few lingering
HiSutes before eight, anl an Augora cat
sneozed comfortably on the rug.
This much by way of introduction. We
had cur growl out at the weather, and
then we took our places at the table. 1t
seemed special Providence that We all
had letter that gloomy morning. L
glanced ever my customary note from Sis
ter Martha filed with city gossip, and
begging me to come down for Christmas
Bella Percy orencd sheet of commercial
letter paper emitting strong smell OF
Turkish tobacco, and then blushed all ov-
er rosy red as her cashmere wrapper,
while Mrs. St. Jchu, our hostess, took up
long, white ofieio looking envelope,
covered with sprawling characters, and
blotches of black ink and sealed with a
big red seal.
despise people who are always euvel-
opiua things from the depths of their in-
ner consciousness, but as soon as saw
that envelope | knew it held a mystery.
| knew there was secret within it,
and that should sooner or later be made
acquainted with it. As have ne busi-
ness Of my own, | mind everybody else $
business. Everybody comes to me with
secrets, and my mind is an odd sort ofrc-
ccptacle for little bits and tag ends Of 9TH
er peoples histories their troubles and
disappointments, and hopes and aims. A
queer sort of bric.a-brac collection.
While we we're chatteriug Bella aud |,
exchanging bits of news, the docr opened.
aud Margaret St. John came in. lmme-
diately there fell upon US that sort Of
hushed, waiting silence which comes over
"a crowded church whcu the preacher walks
up the aisle. We felt that.vagae, dim awe
and reverancc, which the coIdest heart
must ever feel when brought face to face
with one whom God has chastencd by
drawing veil over the light Of the mind
She came forward quietly and took the
chair waiting for her. A faint fust
tlpccd her thin check, and the soft shadow
Of sleep still lay in her large blue vacan
eyes
"Yeu are late this morpiug, Margaret,
said Mrs. St. John. folding her letter witt
t an ode, quick look at her sister. ''l an
afraid the chocolate is cold. Bell won
you please ring for Margeys toast"
81 know it was dreaming" he
, voice had certain hfelessuess as if tn
spirit had faded out of it; but as sh
p spoke her beautiful child-liko face bright
+ ened, and the shadow of her lest reaso
seemed struggling in those dreadfully va
n cant eyes.
. "You know | love to dream" she wen
}. on plaintively. II am so happy then
h but when | wake it all goes from me.
o try to remember; oh, how | try to rsmen
G Der but everything is dark"
II She looked at Mrs St. John pitco usly
a and great tears rolled down her checks
IS 1t was the calm grief of child, no pal
{. sion, only dull, perplexiug sadness.
"I don't wonder you are out of spirits
e said Bella, shivering. "It's bcastl
.e day OUT
!. "Bella y said Mrs. St. Joha's repro,
ing voice.
!. "Well, it is nasty day! Rain, rain
10 What are we to do with ourselves ? Iwis
>. Mr.. St. John would cemo. The sight c
,e nan would be relief, even if he
q ones host and married, middle-aged an
,e little bit fussy. 1t would break the G.
y erlasting sameness of things"
e. II, too, wish he would ceme, y said o.
y. hostess, signing family, 81 surely thougl
Id he would be at home this morning;
to want him very much"
s. knew the contents of that mysterio'
&C letter were weighing on her mind, makir
ne her wish for her husbands counsel; and
e, was prepared, when we rose from IL
h. table, fer the little nod which bade n
IL follow. her out. ostensihly on her way
C. the nursery.
er s.What do YOU think" she cried, gras
IT. ing me by the arm as soon as we we
" alone in the hall. ''Lewis Darlington b
ne come back"
r. stood in open-mouthed astonishmel
is, This was the last thing had expected.
At When where ~ ! gasped, at lsng'
y. "Where is he p
- - s.Hcis coming here! he is on the W