Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-08-05
Miscellany.
Alta Belden.
BY RAY RAYMOND.

AAieaS III iiiVuN lSoso all
ed last evening, and ! am going to bring
him to introduce to you. know you
will like him. Just 81; here on the porch
and L will go to him now.' Without
waiting for her to reply, Walter Beldeu
placed chair for his sister, and ere she
had time to detain him was some distance
from her.
The hotel veranda was, as usual imme.
diately after. breakfast at Cape May,
crowded, so Alta could not give her broth.
er chase, although at first she was inclined
to it and tell HIM she would prefer to
meet his friend later in the day. This
being impracticablc Alta accepted the
situation, and turning towards the sea, Of
which she never tired, soon forgot boil
her brother and Ross Hamilton, in watch
ing its billoNs as they tossed and gisteneG
in the sunshine. For Alta old ocean hac
strange fascination, and whether h,
smiled or frowned was glorious 10 hel
eyes. This morning he was in the best o
humors, tumbling on the beach in bright
gay waves, singing the while a glad
sweet song.
1t was good thing Alta enjoyed al
this 50 well, for it was fully an hour afte
Walter left before lie returned. Will
at last he did staunter to the porch ant
caught sight of Alta, he murmured un
consciously;
"a firm more fair, q face more sweet,
N'er hasit been my lot to meet"
Then remembering Ross added "Yol
know Alta is my only sister, aud we hav
been everything to each other since ou
parents died, SO perhaps she is pretter t.
me than any one else"
"Is that Miss Belden sitting alone, wit
her face seaward 2" asked Mr.. Hamilton
casting an an admiring glance at the lad
indicated.
"Yes, that is Alta. l never saw
person so fond of the ocean as she is.
have known her to SIT for hours, with tina
same rapt expression on her face, looking
at It,"
In truth, Alta Belden was very prett.
sitting there that summer day, gazing ou
on the wide Atlantic. She was tall ant
graceful, and her face, without being pos
itively beautiful, was so fair to see that j
frequently charmed more than strictl
handsome ones. The abundant brow
hair was brushed smoothly back from
broad white forehead ana looped in heav,
braids about the shapely head, and th
beautiful blue eyes were wondrously ex
pressive. These. with the color comm,
and going in her cheeks at every varying
thought, constituted her chief personal at
fractions. They were almost up to he
now, still she had not noticed them.
"Alta," said Walter; "this is Mr.
Hamilton"
She was little startled, but rose in
moment and extending her hand to Mr.
Hamilton sald, in sweet, distinct voice
II am happy to meet you. 1t Away
gives me pleasure to knowWater's friends
81 have heard him speak Of you s
frequently, Miss Belden, that feel a
though greeting an old acquaintance" re
piled Ross,
Then Walter brought more chairs, an
they being seated, lively conversa,io
ensued. When bathing lime came, an
they separated 10 prepare for what wa
to Att. the daily frolic ip the waves,
seemed to Ross Hamilton that he ha
known Miss Beldep inr months Instead
minutes.
Walter and Alta Belj.,u were orpha
children Of wealthy parents. Their m,
ther died whep Alta first beheld the ligh