Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-04-08

whittier I had come, resolved to max
still another effort to find you. He CAV
me your address, and 10 soon as wa
able, after an attack Of illness, wrot'
you, and here. at last, am with you
my Jeanette"
How much OF it all she really believ
ed, it is impossible to say. One thing
however, was certain: she had tenderll
loved him in her younger days, and lonG
separation, with nothing in the mean
time to occupy or distract her mind, hat
hallowed and strengthened this love til
it had become q part OF herself. She
knew his narrow, small character; she
tnew how plausible and truthless he
was; but there was certain romance
and sentiment about her old affection
for him which was powerful still.
There was as much Of sadness as oi
sweetness in her smile as she turned to
him and said: Edward I do moi
know II you still love me; am much
older and changed since We parted; but
this I know, that my old love is still
strong, and that nothing has ever alter
ed it,"
This she said musingly, more as il
speaking to herself than to any one else.
"Ah Jeannette," he rejoined, "you
may think i'll of me; you cannot think
worse OF me than think myself. But
with your love to guide me for the fu-
ture, have no fears. Tell me, dearest,
shall it be. then, at lasti Can you so
for forgive me as to marry met"
"It may he weakness" said jean
nette, with melancholy in her tone.
"My life, for years past, has not been
happy one; its one happiness has been
dreaming of my younger days. God
forgive me if I do wrong You will
love me at least, Edward, and in So
berer friendship, more suited to our
years, we shall be happy"
Her eyes glistened in the red fire.
light, and were moist.
He seemed to misunderstood her.
II spoke of marriage, Jeanette, and
you speak of friendship"
81 mean the same" she replied.
"The word seemed too full of happiness
for me to utter"
That was their bethrothal.
A few days later the neighbors were
somewhat surprised to hear that Miss
Jane had been married quietly in the
morning to Lieutenant Edward
Arton.
For while Miss James life seemed
to glide on as smoothly as before, and
one heard or saw but little of her.
Sometimes, early in the morning or later
in the evening, she was seen walking
with tall and handsome gentleman,
whom all knew to be the lieutenant,
and looking happy and pretty. Soon,
however, thoy were seen rarely together,
then not at all, and the inmates of the
low stone house were as mysterious as
before Miss James marriage. No one
knew the sorrow shut up there. The
lieutenant went off for days together
and returned as suddenly as he left, and
generally in the night. His wife, with
the blind devotion Of woman, was al
ways ready to pity and forgive. She
soon found that her dream was over, her
hopes delusion but she still clung to
5he memory. He squandered and
wasted her fortune, and treated her
With the contempt and insolence mean
md selfish nature feels for those who
'acrifce all to them.
Years passed on, and told their sad
story of q breaking heart Oh the face of
Miss Jane. She still clung to him with
devotion.
One night there was a noise, late,
which reused some of the neighbors, as
! carriage drove up to Mrs. Arton's
loor. Two days after, early, there was
quiet funeral there.
Mrs. Arton was a widow.
She lived on yet many years, but |
much changed. Now she was conspicu-
'us for doing good and relieving the |
necessities of those around her. She
ould be seen almost daily, her hair per.
ectly white, dressed in gray, and going,
With basket on her arm, to the poorer |
,ortions of the town.
Elizabeth still lived with her, but |
,rown into pretty young woman, still
With an inordinate love Of dress. She
egarded men with great aversion, and
7as a model Of fidelity and devotion to
er mistress, whom she regarded at any
noment as likely to be carried off like
elijah or Enoch, and only wondered, as,
{ course, she must do at something,
hat the aerial journey should be de-
lyed. Her eyes had never lost their
ook of amazement, but she had lost all
er taste for sitting at the kitchen win
ow, except about the time when Miss
ane, as she always called her mistress,
as won't to return. She met her at the
oor then, with a smile. "You must
@ tired, MISS" she would say. "No,"
Iiss Jane would answer; "not tired,
cannot be tired when
ne is occupied doing good, and forget
IL of oneself. It is the fruitless dwelling
u the past that wearies, or the pursuit
( something which God does not in
md us to have"