The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-04-23

htaFt hhd Ahiihs hAu0F she thetglaliA
undertook the extra labor,
Miss Clyde proved q pleasant oompau,
too who readily appreciated Miriam,
worthiness of character, aud early form
ed for her a lasting friendship. la Wal
ler's society. too, Miriam found a charm
aud The qniet summer evenings spent ia
Gertie's little psrlor, s0er her daily
household tasks were accomplished, were
the pleasan,ist she had ever known. Theu
Walter would read or repeat tine pass.
ages from fayorite authors, or bis sister
as her health improved sang her pre,tiest
songs, accompanying them with her
guitar. Then Walter finding Miriam SO
sweet a singer, procured an organ which
he played with skillfnl fingers, aud on
the eveuisg air the voices Of the trio
blended most harmouiously as they joined
10 the anthem OF praise.
In the society IN which Walter Clyde
had mingled, be had met many proud
beauties who would gladly have shared
the elegant home which had recently
come into his possession on the death Of
his parents, but his criterion Of worth
was exalted.
The virtues Of his pious mother who
had early taught him the blessing OF do.
ing good, aud the daily Christian life OF
his almost idolized sister were constantly
before him, and in the comparison the
useless lives Of his numerous lady friend.
were pronounced weighed and found
wanting.
But here in this obscure village he had
found a maiden who, in addition to the
fascination Of form and face, possessed
also, charm of mind, aud evidentially
moulded her life after the pattern of Him
whom his sainted mother had tried tc
initiate. Here he believed he had found
one whom next to God he might worship
Cifhe might be permitted TO bow to NOR,
tai being,) but such seemed the pnrity o.
her character that he only dared worship
aiar OF, for in the light Of her goodnes,
his own best actions and thoughts, even
appeared to him ignoble. unlike TOT
many young men he did not look upon
his wealth as sure passport to the favor
of the opposite sex, or rather he knew il
would avail him nothing in the eyes Of
Miriam Stanley, whose clear blue eyes
he felt searched for the motive in every
word and action.
But, finally, she seemed to have aban
doned the search, for whenever theil
eyes met the long lashes dropped Oh
were raised but timidly, and from this
fact our hero must have gathered courage
for one evening as they sat together il
the golden twilight be ventured TO whisp
er something which made the lashel
doop still lower and the blue eyes fill
with tears. They must have been tears
Of joy, however, tor smile, stran gely
sweet, illumined the beautiful face.
Long they sat there in the fading light
but their joy was too deep for utterancc
Later, when Gertie found them, Waite
had recovered his speech sufficiently Il
present her with her newly promised
sister, but Miriam only waited for he
gentle caress, and then sped away TO thinl
upon her new and great happiness.
In the morning Mr., and Mrs. Stanle,
were duly apprised of the progress o
affairs, and their approval sought to sane
ton the promises OF the youthful pair
This was freely given, and ere the win
ter had come with its icy mantle, Miriam
Clyde, and with her devoted hushant
and his amiab!e, loving sister was happi
ly established in their city home Fo
the rest we will read an extract from
letter written by Miriam to her mothe
on the first anniversary of her weddini
day.
After mentioning items of interest
among others that Gertie was soen T.
leave them for happy home OF her ow
she adds: am almost sorry that fathe
would not accept more pecuniary assist
ance from Waller, knowing as | do hoy
heartily welcome he would have been t
such aid, yet know he was right in be
( lieving you would be happier in the iea
old home, aud whenever my fathers gen
erous heart will prompt him to sen
/ speedy relief. All, mother, when az
constantly beholding new evidences @
my husbands generosity to you, aud COZ
sider my own great happiness in possess
ing, not merely a husband, but one +
truly good aud noble, | cannot forge
that Tor doing my duty and remainin
with you, Instead Of Welding TO my ow
selfish inclinations aud spending a sun
mer with my aunt, have though ~
meritcd, received a great reward.