Connecticut western news., 1874-08-21
SALISBURY, CONN.,, FRIDAY, AUGUST 2l, 1874.

the windows, and makes the painted saint in the chancel smile. But the olo tunes have lost their sweetness. We sing the same airs, we stroll in the same paths, the stars that we have watched swing on in the same orbits. What is il that has changed? /? Am I tired of the role assumed in freak of mischief I have heard it was dangerous to play with fire. It seems to me I should like to go away for little and calm the per. tubation of sIi irits that destroy me. have done my part bravely, though say it but even the bravest come away wounded. In teaching Lena to love Ostrander, have I not learned too much myself? am glad vacation does not last forever
 What year of the world and what day of the month is it, I wonder? Last night we were lettering in the library at dusk, looking over MT. Lovell's illus. trations, for storm was coming up to spoil our outdoor sports. Uncle Aris- totle called Mir. Lowell away, and ] strolled to the music-room, leaving Ostrander and Lena alone. I had just touched the first chord, and whether the interval was brief or long do not know, but that thrilling chord of Deni- zetti was the last thing I heard till ] drew a long breath, and some one sobbed, in divine antiphony, My love, my love; speak to me, my love !' It was Ostrander's voice, and I had been lightning struck. But it was only a shock, and am up and alive to-day. Was that bolt sent to make the reve1a- tion to me of Ostrander's regard? He does not know that understood, and there is yet 8 chance between two ways left me-either to accept happiness at Lena's expense, or to marry MT. Lov- ell. Will it wrong him? |? Once when ] told him had no love for him, he vowed he could make me love him. Must let him try? By-and-by Os. trander's affection will return to it's true channel. An, me if it were only right to love and be loved, how sweet the days might prove Ostrander is swinging in the hammock on the veranda. MT. Lowell is the garden waiting to waylay me. Stay why should I go? Why should l choose Lena's happiness instead of Ostrander's Is it that in choosing his am purchas- ing my own?.
 Ten gears later.-How yellow my 1 old diary has grown The perfume of that dear faded summer is waited from every page. I found it to-day in 8 trunk of old family letters and papers among the effects of my late husband, MT. Lowell. How blind we women are found something else there toe this package of letters from Lens to him, written before MT. Lowell illus | %n1 A]1o had been some love-passages between to continue. This was why Lena for follow pleasure with us. She loved MT. Lowell. How plain it all is to-day a bit of wisdom that reaches me ten purse she netted for him ; it should have been blue-blue is the color oi love; here is book-mark, woven in g pretty parody. with her own golden hair, "Life is short, but love is long. 2
 Is she happy. wonder. in her coun' try parish, with her children and the Rev. Amos Greatheart ? I mean to run down and see if I have indeed spoiled more lives than my own.
 Sataad0y.-H odd it seems to be back again in Uncle Aristotle's house The same pictures on the walls, the same books in the library-even his work on the Andes in it's place-and the Rev. Amos Greatheart in his arm, chair It is a little heaven below, in spite of all. Lena does not miss any thing she las proved that first love is not always best love. The orchard trees seem like old friends, and the honeysuckle at my window sends up ward bouquets of perfume that almost make me homesick. Mir. Greatheart is swinging the baby in the hammock.
 "I shall bring an old friend home to tea, Lena love-" hear him say to her I shall go to hear him preach this after noon, in the chapel where we used te learn our fugues and chants.
 Evening.-A shower came up during the afternoon service. waited in thu porch for MT. Greatheart till the littl. congregation dispersed. The lightning corruscated on the edge of' the clouds and the resonant thunder made musi, along the hills, like 'shorns of Elfant faintly blowing." As I stood looking out step drew near. MT. Great heart" said, ''I shan't mind the rain if you wish to start" - -s e.'.
 SIt reminds me-" said voice tha was surely not MT. Greatheart's, "i reminds me of another thunderstorm which struck in our neighborhood. D. you recall it, Mrs. Lowell ?"
 MT. Ostrander p I cried, facin! him. els it really you? 1 hardly ez pected such a surprise P
 "I might ask, . Is it really you but those shadowy eyes assure me even your dimples have not lost thei cunning nothing of you that dot fade r How many years is it since W used to come here and sing away tn sunset hours ? Ten It was on m } lips to tell you how I loved you tn night you were lightning struck. Shal I tell you now ?"
 And so, when the storm cleared, V walked home together through the wet } familiar lanes, with the sun burnishin every grass blade and, please God we shall walk together through life an through eternity.