Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-03-26
If Dicks marriage. What do you think


The tears we're in my eyes. And this
was the cnd--a broken, weary life this
was the cause Of all bis sadness.
And just to think John, that we can't
help him"
No." said John, we can't help him
But have an abiding faith that Il will
come all right yet, although do not know
why think So"
Now, if John thought it would be all
right, so did |, for | had the most unbound.
ed faith in everything that John said, and
If he said il would all come right, knew
Il would
As you may suppose, the story Of Dicks
marriage drove all thoughts Of the strange
housekeeper out Of my head for several
days and when | did think OF her, it was
only to wonder at her quiet ways and tho
kind aud attractive manner in which she
performed her duties.
Since my brothers illness, John aud
bad insisted that he be removed to our
house, where he would receive the atten-
tion he so much needed and all thoughts
OF the mystery surrounding bis nurse tif,
indeed, there was any) had disappeared,
when one morning an event occurred which
caused them to return with renewed force.
| wanted the nurse to prepare some srti-
cles Of food for Dick. Not finding her
in his room, was told she was gone up
stairs following her, l knocked at the
door Of her room, and, receiving no ans
wer, pushed it open, but stopped short on
beholding her.
She was standing before the glass, her
head resting upon both hands in a position
Of the most utter detection | ever saw.
To me II was terrible Her cap was
thrown back, and, instead Of the snow-whito
hair had been accustomed to see, beheld
a wreath of rich blonde hair that covered
her head in luxuriant profusion and swept
over her shoulders.
started back in amazement, and felt as
if had discovered secret nay, had &C.
tually taken possession of it. endeavorcd
to retire without disturbing her, but she
turned and saw me. Seeing that | was
discovered | gave her the order for Dick S
repast, in as calm manner as possible,
and without leading her for moment to
suppose that | had her secret. She was
overwhelmed with confusion and her an
swer was barely Ineligible.
From that moment became more than
ever convinced that there was mystery
connected with Dicks nurse, aud boldly
avowed the same to John taking care,
however, not to inform him what [ had
seen, lest, with his usual prccipitancy. he.
in seeking to fathom il. should snoil what
had made up in nv mind was first.
class romance that was sure to leak out ere
long.
But how that nurse did trouble me. now
that knew she was not what she represent.
ed herself to be, became 80 nervous
that [ could not sleep Her soft sten and
low whisper were continually sounding in
my ear and one night. before retirinS
actually screamed, as thought | discovered
her sitting in my dressinc-closet.
"What is the matter NV aear9r said
John, with the utmost sauo froid
"Oh. nothing" said /. mI onlv ,bougb,
saw a man under the bedn
"Well," said John. 81 wish you had. for
YOU have been looking there and every.
where else long enough TO have found n
dozen at least"
That night | could not ,leep. try as Il
would the image of that nurse and the
utterly HELPLESS expression on her face was
constantly before me: 40 giving avav 10 an
impulse / could not control, took liqbt
and made my way to her room. There
she was, sleeping quietly. But what a
change Her soft blonde hair floating
around her pillow until she seemed bathed
in golden light. Her hands were clasped
upon her bosom; the wrinkles and dark
skin had disappeared, and in their place
was skin as soft and fresh as that Of an
infant Her folded hands were fair, blue.
veined, and delicate. II was no elderly
person before me, it was Young cir.
scarcely eighteen, but of wondrous beauty
All ! here was mystery. A slight cry Of
surprise involuntarily escaped nv iips
She turned in her sleep uneasily. "My
darling !" she murmured "mv darling for.
give and love me vh4
slowly turned from the bedside of the
sleeping beauty, content to let the poor
girls secret. whatever il might he rest
Sleep was banished from my eyes, and |
arose early in the morning, resolved not to
mention a word Of what had seen. All
of that day and the next she quietly per-
formed her duties, scarcely speaking, ex.
cept when answering questions addressed
to her. II was terribly painful for me to
see one suffer as she did without knowing
the cause Of her grief and yet could not
without assuming an unwarrantable degree |
Of curiosity, speak to her upon the subject.
One evening after tea, John having gone
out, was sitting in Dicks room. As he
was asleep, had turned down the lights,
and was seated before the open fire, when
the door opened and the nurse entered.-I
She bad evidently been weeping, but from
under the snow white hair her face shone
with that woudrous beauty that had 80
startled me. She approached, and taking
seat at my feet, said, not in the low tone
| was accustomed 10 hear, but in voice
Of rare sweetness
viii you listen to me for little while?
have true story to tell you of the life
of young girl. A true story, but oh.
how sad !"
:" Please go on, said l. taking her hand
in mine. " would like to hear IT,"
In one of the Southern cities" she