Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-08-25
Winnie's Confession.

]
CHAPTER /.
| am sure, when | think Of it now, we
must have been a very wild set in our youth,
and often have given poor mamma heart
ache in her etiectual efforts to keep MS in
order.
was the oldest, aud so, of course, ought
to have been the stcadiest and set a good
example but 10 my shame be IL spoken,
was always the instigator and ringleader of
every mischievous prank we ever played. I
don't think we ever meant to do any harm,
and daresay, taking us altogether, we were
as innocent and good-heartcd a set of scape-
graces as could be found but still we
proved too much for mamma to manage
without assistance, and so, when | was about
sixteen, and my two sisters, Laurie and Car
rie, twelve and thirteen, it was decided that
we should have a governess, who, as mamma
observed, was not so much TO teach us les
sons as to try-with gloomy emphasis on
the try to make ladies Of us-a remark
which we received with shifts Of scorn re-
strained from more open expression of our
feelings by the presence of Reggy, our grave
sedate step-bruther.
lie was papa's eldest son lay former mar
riage and on papas death, which oc-
Cured when ! was only six years old, Reggy
took mamma 10 reside with him. and had
been all in all to her and TO rs ever since
My darling brother Reggy How great
my love for him was, no one knew but my
self. But who could help loving him lie
was so good and brave, so noble, so loving
and gentle TO mamma, even when she wor-
ried him, as | am sure she often did, with
querulous complaints about trifles, of which
he could know or care nothing. His watch
full care of rs was more like a fathers than
a brothers.
| seem to see him as plainly now as saw
him ON that bright winter morning, leaning
against the chimney piece and talking gaily
with us all his tall, well built figure so
carelessly graceful, and his handsome. sunny
face making one love him at the first glance.
have always been a passionate lover of
beauty, and Reggy's appearance was a Sc
cret source of qualification and pride to me.
| loved to watch him surrounded by other
men, and mark his superiority to them all.
But must stop myself. When | begin to
write about Reggy | can go ON for ever.
We had just finished breakfast, and were
all lounging about the room in easy but
rather ungraceiul attitudes
Mamma was in bed with headache, so
there was no one to call MS 10 order.
llollo, Laura !" said Reggy. What
will the new govencss say if She sees you
sitting like that Z"
Lauras attitude was to say the least of it,
remarkable Her legs-long thin ones
were very much exposed, her feet, shod in
very large aud very ragged slippers, were
twisted round the legs of her chair, and She
had strained her body to a most alarming
degree over the back.
"Oh, Reggy," she answered, sighing deeply,
that's why an doing it now. know
she won't indulge me and this way is so
comfortable, | want to enjoy it as long as
can"
One would not think SO, Judging from
appearances" was the laughing reioinder,
" Reggy," | said, coaxingly putting my
hands ON his shoulders, this is our last
day. You know Miss Armitage comes this
evening, DO take Inc for good long ride
this afternoon. saw Prince this morning,
and he is looking lovely since he has been
clipped
You are a dreadful little torment" he re-
turned, smiling but | suppose ! must not
refuse you. Winnie dear" he added, put
ting his arm round me, and stroking my
hair gently, Z" want you really TO try to be
steady and good when Miss Armitage comes.
II will give your mother and me so much
pleasure to see you improve"
Oh, Reggy' responded, impctuously,
if you will always love me more than any
one else | will do anything"
"What jealous little goose you are /" he
said, kissing me, and laughing. You
know | shall always love you best prom.
ised that long ago. Goodbye now till lunch
con time. have great deal of business
10 get through this morning shall order
the horses for three o'clock-so be ready
lie went off humming, and stood at the
window and watched him tin he turned out
Of sight. All, Reggy how my heart smites
me even now when think OF the wrong
did you But you have forgiven me, dar
ling, and am at peace,
We had a splendid ride. The day wa,
bright aud bracing the horses were in first
rate condition, and the country was of Tia,
very best description for gallop.
1t was the end of November and the day,
were very short so it was quite dark as ",
rode up the long avenue shaded by tall chest
nuts, and stopped at the hall door.
4" Has Miss Armitage arrived yet, Bennett 2
eagerly asked the old butler, who opened
the door
"Yes, Miss" he answered. She is in the
drawing-room with the mistress"
With somewhat heightened vsage,
crossed the hall and entered the drawing
room. 1t was a large, pleasant room, fllet
with comfortable, old-fashioned furniture
and lighted by three windows looking into
the flower garden. The curtains were drawn
now, and the cheerful blaze of the wood fir,
was the only light.
"Come here, dear, and let me introduce
/ a., al ,g
was seated ON a low couch beside the fire.
advanced toward her, but was met hall
way by tall slight lady, who had risen
from beside mamma. felt my hand clasped
/ in soft, warm one, and the sweetest voice
ever heard said
"Your mother has been talking about you
dear. hope that we shall be very good
friends, and that you will try 10 love me-"
She was so warm, so sweet, so gentle, SC
unlike anything had ever imagined a gov
erness could be, that for few minutes my
astonishment kept me silent, aud thea, by
sudden impulse, ! put my arms round hei
neck, and kissed her. The oaress was earn
estly returned aud from that time | loved
Helen Armitage.
She was the most beautiful woman had
ever seen-tall, slight, and very graceful
with glory of golden hair shining round
her faultless head, and deep, loving light
beaming from her dark gray eyes.
As ! often sat Watching her, ! used 10
fancy the angels must have such faces, and
think how beautiful Heaven would be.
said something Of this kind to her one day
when she had been looking more than usu
ally beautiful, and she stopped me at once
grayely and firmly
"Hush, dear We shall all be changed
there into something more glorious and
beautiful than our poor earthly eyes have
ever seen Oh Winnie, it win be good to
be there"
We settled into our new life very easily.
Study and praeticing kept us busy till lun-