Connecticut western news., 1876-05-26

SALISBURY, CONN.,, FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1876.

mother-she will be entirely alone Mrs. Garter told me she knew some one who would take the situation, and ] shall have to go over to Clapham to sec her about it tomorrow" "Don't let that detain you, Ernest l think know of young lady who would make an excellent companion, and II will send her to Beckfordville. |, Gan she read aloud, and has she patience and forbearance, and will she be as meek as Moses ?"
 CT am sure she will try.'
 "Send her, then. But, Mabel "-- l "Well 2'' . .'.
 Tt strikes me you are anxious tc hurry me off next Saturday."
 E" Ernest" she said, in voice that control, "you are misjudging me. fwant you to do your duty-to go and at. tend, to the affairs of your poor uncle, whose reason has deserted him. And more than this, want you to learn life's lesson of patience and endurance. The sunshine will come at last, if you can only wairNnrepiningly."
 "Little prophecies, D said Ernest. drawing her fondly towards him, s' l accept your auguries, and I'll bear up as manfully as human nature will allow. No one ought to be discouraged who is sure of your love. But, oh, my dar- ling, how often shall remember this sunset, and your sweet face turned to- wards mine l''
 "Do you think shall ever forget it Only wait, Ernest, and all will come right in Gods own time," she answered, with her hand in his.
 And thus they parted,
 "Going out of town, Miss Mabel 2 and so early this season!'
 The pretty lady's maid stood aghast in her occupation of putting away the laces in satin lined box of veined san dal wood.
 "Yes. Get my trunks ready, Mil dred."
 "And when do we start, miss ?"
 ''I will not take you with me, Mil dred."
 "Not take me, Miss Mabel And who is to arrange your hair and take care of your dresses ?"
 "I, myself"
 "But, Miss Mabel"-
 s'I choose to go alone, Mildred" said the young lady, little imperatively. ''Take away the silks and grenadines; I shall only require the muslins and one or two light wrappers"
 stMiss Mabel 1" exclaimed the sur prised lady's maid, holding up both hands in hopeless bewilderment, "where can you be going2"
 "To seek my fate, Mild1 ed," said termingling of jest and earnest "There l 1oo~ &N
 *
 Mrs. Rockford, of Beckfordville Villa, at Richmond, was sitting alone in her comfortable parlor-musing on her far off son, with total abstraction from all outward sights and sounds-and when all of 8 sudden she looked up, 8 pretty young person, clad in quiet style, stood before her.
 "What is it9" said Mrs. Beckford, somewhat curtly.
 elf you please, madam, I am anxious to come as companion"
 "Who sent you2" demanded the lady, surveying the large blue eyes and golden bands of smoothly brushed hair rather distrustfully.
 "I learnt from a lady of your acquain- tance that you wished companion, and I should like to take the situation"
 Hum-m-m," said the old lady. Whats your name 9''
 "Edith Moore"
 "Moore-Moore9 Got any relations in town-ah ! at Bayswater, I mean 2" demanded the inquisitress, sharply.
 ."No, ma'am. I am alone iii the world"
 "I'm glad of that, murmured Mrs. l l-,Sk e4o, belonging to the guitar playing girl who but never mind that just now. What are your references ?"
 her travelling bag.
 "So Mrs. Carter, of Clapham, knows you, eh?"
 ssYes, ma'am."
 "Well," commented the matron, glancing over the notes, "these recom- mendations seem very satisfactory-I don't know-but that you may come and stay. The only objection can see is that you're too pretty, and I don't think you are really to blame for that. Take off your things"
 And the roses that glowed into Edith 8 cheeks at this very plain expression of the old lady's sentiments did not make her any the less lovely as she united the blue bonnet strings, and laid aside the neat but simple shawl, to enter upon her probation.
 More than year had crept over the daily current of life at Beckfordville. The trees were bare and leafess, the snow lay white and deep in all the hol- lows and dimples by the roadside, and 8 sharp December wind was sweeping along the Thames, as the sun glowed with momentary redness, ere it sunk down out of sight.
 "How soon it grows darkl" said Mrs. Beckford, with a little sigh. That's right, Edith-draw the curtains; now i; we're comfortable !'' Comfortable, indeed, they were, with ) the shaded lamp glowing softly on the table, and the bright fire on the hearth, ) while Mrs. Beckford's spectacle glasses shone like twin orbs of flame, and her } knitting needles glittered responsively. Edith was sitting opposite to her, ) fashioning narrow white ribbon into She looked wonderfully pretty in dress of sober blue merino, with blue ribbon tangled somewhere in the braids of her furnished hair, while the delicate color ) on her cheek was like the inside of a 7 pink shell.
 ) "What's that you were saying while ago about going back to London, my dear ?" said the old lady, suddenly turn ing round to Edith. s'I just want you to understand that you can't go. cant spare you"
 } She put one arm round Edith's neck, and drew the round cheek down on her ; lap.
 ) "Do you really love me, Mrs. Beck ford1" asked the girl, earnestly.