The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-10-07

time, do not think that hardly anybody
would have taken her back to her former
guardian.
And then, we all had strange liking for
tthe little creature, for little she seemed, Ill
though almost as tall as was myself, but her
habits being SO simple and childsike.
Hubert and myself constituted ourselves
her teachers, and an apt scholar she became,
she improved SO rapidly-it was really won
der to us how her untutored mind could grasp
learning so readily.
And then she changed so wonderfully in APP
pearance--as the sun-burn was removed from
her face. She was getting really beautiful,
and We were all proud of her; hsint and un-
Gle blessing me for the thought of taking
her in.
But, my child, you must know-her inter-
ests were SO interviewer with my destiny, that
even now they were becoming inseparable,
and at that time iigas SO good for me that
my mind was occupied with instructing her.
1t beguiled away many moments which would
otherwise have been filled with sadness. For
owing to the difficulty of navigation and mail
| CVhfCAlcHctS, biio lcttctS lIOm my ociOtCu
father were of no frequent occurrence.
Then my sad bereavement, and the separa-
ton from my father had followed each other
SO closely that 1t had left me in state some
what of bewilderment- the life l was
leading was not my own, but vague dreamy
one belonging to some one else, and as day
succeeded day was still dreaming, or try
ing to be cheerful, and almost succeeding
then, Gliding myself for allowing what SEEM
ed almost sacrilegious,) myself enjoy life
without my dear mother, whom I had loved SO
dearly and mourned SO deeply. But my
uncle and aunt's piety shone very brightly for
me that summer, and taught me to look to
my Heavenly Father for comfort and conscla-
tion and taught me to think of my mother
as an angel enjoying the pure delight of heav-
EN-, that nothing could mar or diminish.
Oh, my child, many long years have rolled
away since then, yet how well do remember
my dear uncle and aunt's conversations on
those summer evenings by twilght how near
we all seemed to get to that heavenly home,
that it seemed sometimes that we could al
most hear the tluttering of the angels wings,
and then Hubert would make music on the
old-fashioned harpsichord. All, my child, that
was not the music Of to-day with hourishes
and fuss; don't smileyits only an old persons
fancy ; but seem to hear that music of those
summer evenings still vibrating in my ears /
seem to see Effie as she would sit at the feet
Of my aunt--with her little brown hands
AZ. fl,a md far
away look in her sy3s. But am again for
getting myself
presume Effie's life at this time was very
happy although new and strange, butt she
adapted herself to it very naturally and grace
fully. So the summer passed-and in the
early winter my father hoped to come for me.
All then little thought that was never
to return to my city home to remain.
As the time drew on that | might expect
my father, began to think how much had
learned to love my new found friends, who had
proved such friends in my need, and much as
longed for the presence of my father, l could
not think ofleaving those tried and true friends
without regret. But / was awakened to a
| true sense of my feelings by Hubert's declar-
ing his love for me, and although surprise to
me in its abruptness, knew that | loved
him-and would be more miserable by being
separated from him than l liked to confess.
Our affections being MUTUAL were looked on
with favour by his parents, and we only
awaited the arrival of my father to make Us
happy with his blessing.
But disappointment awaited us we re-
ceived letter from my parent-that owing
to the still unsettled state of affairs he had
gone to arrange-it was necessary for him to
prolopg his absence for another year. Itnow
became necessary for my uncle to write to my
father, and inform him of the hopes of their
children, for he felt no fear of my fathers
refusing my hand in marriage to the son OF
| Ralph HEPBURN. / also wrote to my father
for was not ashamed to acknowledge my
love for Hubert, usy noble, gallant HUBERT.
NV fathers prolonged absence made it
necessary for me to return to the city, and al
though such tiresome journey at that season
of the wear, we considered it important to
hasten our departure. So, late in November,
| | found myself seated in the old stage-coach,
en- route for my own home, accompanied by
nv uncle and Eifie, after bidding a fearful
adicu to my aunt and Hubert.
AS we rode along l could not help a feel
ing Of reproach, that could feel the least
satisfaction in the love of another 1t seemed
like selfishness and want of stability on my
part, and in my simplicity feared my faith
er would feel that l was leaving his
tried love and affection for strangers love ;
for. was not dear Hubert stranger, only in
name a few short months ago. Oh, could II
be. that zoe had ever been strangers some
times thought.
AT the close of the third days travelling we
arrived at New York City, and went to my
fathers house--which had been left in the
charge Of friend during our absence. oc-
cuned nv old room sand EfIie and my uncle
were made comfortable.
Ny father had sent me instructions to ap.
pIy to his lawyer for funds necessary for my
comfort and enjoyment and also for advice
And thus we awaited the arrival of answers
to our letters--which would necessarily be