Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-11-23
Autumn Leaves.
COMPLETE IN POUR CHAPTERS.
CHAPTER II.

Three months before the time appoint
ed for my sisters return home. the young
Baronet Sir Gerald Mayne. came of age.
There was great rejoicing at Beecham
Court-a series of splendid balls, din
ners, and other entertainments. was
invited to some, but never went. How
could I care for music and laughter,
when he whom | loved so well was far
away?
The whole neighborhood seemed to
rejoice; and amongst other rumors l
heard how anxious Lady Horton of Riv-
ersdale was to marry one of her daugh-
tiers to the young heir of Beecham. They
were tail, showy-Iook1ng girls, with nne
complexion and self-possessed. They
never seemed to have any natural i'm
pulses, but to do and say everything as
their mother dictated. They were con-
sidered accomplished, and talked with a
certain amount of brilliancy when they
met any one worth talking to. l am
bound to say that the young ladies nev-
er wasted many words in those days up
on me.
saw Gerald Nayne at church, and
looked at him with some curiosity. His
lady mother might well be proud Of him.
| never saw more handsome or noble
looking man; his face was clear-cut.
proud and true, with an indefnable
charm for which | can find no words.
Truth, honor and honesty shone in his
clear eyes; the lips were well-arched
and sensitive. yet it struck me- in look
ing at him, that he could be in some
things easily led, in others firm and un-
yielding as a rock How little I thought
then of what Sir Gerald Mayne would
one day be to NE.
Every one spoke Of Lady Maynes
great love for her son; she lived in his
life she seemed to have no hope, no de-
sire, no wish, that was not centred in
him, and he repaid her by chivalrous,
reverential affection that was beautiful
TO witness.
remember asking one day if Lady
Mayne would be pleased if her son mar
ried one of the Misses Horton and the
friend to whom l was speaking said that
her ladyship would never oppose her
sons wishes, let him marry whom he
would but at the same time she did not
believe that Lady Mayne thought any
girl or woman in England good enough
for her SON.
Before the excitement and gaiety had
all died away, Clarice came home.
never was so startled in my life as wher
she stood on the threshold of the dool
that June evening. She had been Z
lovely child, but then fair, angelic chill
dren sometimes grow up into plain wo
men. Her loveliness now was something
wonderful. l wish I could describe he,
as | saw her in the flush Of the colder
sunset. Her face was fair as q lily,
faint flush like that In the deep heart 0
a rose tinged her cheeks, her sweet lip
were smiling, Yet half proud the Tlole
eyes were wonderfully, beautifully clea
and bright, with arched brows and long
silken lashes. It was such a face as on
sees in grand old pictures, fair and an
gelie, sweet and spiritual Her long
golden hair. our poor mothers grea
pride, hung in beautiful waving line
She gladdened my heart as | saw her
Her manners were just as sweet an
graceful as her face; always winnin
and cheerful /; and she had most hi
steal voice and laugh-a laugh that ran
, | out like sweet, low chime. She had I
: great gift Of intellect-my darling VI;
: not what one would call strong MIND
l ed woman, but she had q quick, brigl
fancy, a pretty, playful wit, bright, sul
ny words and pure, graceful thought
She was essentially gentle and wOmanl
!, full Of sweet girlish poetry, with t
!. kindest and most loving heart in t
= world.
How old and worn felt by her sid
: l never saddened her bright face
+! speaking of my fears for Hugh, yet thr
: days after her arrival the second M
E came in that brought no letter from hi
4 Clarice was like sunbeam In {
+ house Ii seemed strange TO rs. solita
% women. 10 hear the music of voice a
song. to see the golden head and graf
r ful fgure-we 70 whom love and ho
and youth were things Of the past
Clarice came to NE one day with
,e pleading face There was TO be gra
Is ball at Beecham half the country ".
2 going, and Mrs Ruthers begged that
K would both accompany her. lool
rs At the child il horror; what should
er do at ball? My heart was over
. sea" trouble and sorrew were my C
1t slant companions but the sweet T
ut looked SO wistful. the bright, tender e
or pleaded SO silently and 50 eloquent
be that / could rot refuse. Why shoulC
N shadow the child's life with nv sorro
Ill She. with her youth and beauty. n
at have amusements-
be l consented and her pretty joy