Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-10-11
4 Romance Of Life.

VI
Several years ago Helen Marchmont and
! were schoolmates. We were reared amid
the brown hills of New Hampshire, far up
toward the spires Of the White Mountains.
At sixteen, Helen was the belle of the
village, the liyeliest at all our nerry-mak-
ings, and the admired of both old and young
Indeed, in my whole life, | have seldom seen
one more beautiful than Helen Marchmont
at the time Of which speak. Traces OF
her loveliness yet remain, but SO marred by
years and sorrow, that few who knew her
then, would recognize her in the pale, sad
woman of to-day.
Before Helen was seventeen she had many
offers ofmarriage from young men highly es-
teemed by her friends, but she encouraged
them not; her whole affections were given
TO Arthur Richardson, the only son Of poor
widow who resided in our vicinity.
He loved Helen with his whole soul, but
he could not brook the idea Of taking her
from a home Of comfort, II not of luxury, TO
the stern life OF toll and poverty which lay
spread out before him. Many and fierce
were the struggles between love aud reason
but his pride conquered every other feeling
and it all ended in his espousing the resolu-
ton Of going to sea. \ brother of his dead
trade, and this uncle gave him the super
cargos situation on board merchant yes
sci which traded between New York and
Singapore 1t was very hard TO leave his
widowed mother in her loneliness very hard
To part with Helen but Richardson had
before him the prospect of carving his way
to fortune, aud the thought Of what should
come afterward buoyed him up through the
solemn parting. His heart was full but he
left his native village without a sigh or tear.
Helen was very grave and quiet for some
months after his departure, but soon her nat
ural sunshiuy disposition emerged from the
cloud, aud again she was the life and pride
of the village. Arthur had been absent two
years and one fine September morning, as
Helen and ! were picking over the ripe
whortleberries we had gathered on the noun
tain the previous day, the yard gate opened
hurriedly aud in another moment Helen was
in the arms of her lover lie had returned
for brief visit OF ten days then he was
10 90 away once more, TO be absent eighteen
months only, and then-the happy blush on
IIelens cheek spoke eloquenty OF what
would take place.
While he had been away Arthur had pros
pered. a little more OF successful labor, and
he would give Helen home Of luxury aud
crafty her every wish. The morning Of his
departure arrived. When he came to bid
her farewell, he put into her hand package
saying
+" Dear Helen, want you to wear this to
please me. 1t is my choice, for it is the
color OF your own bright hair. And some
serene Sabbath day shall come home to
find my darling in the dress brought her
from beyond the sea-" And folding her to
his bosom, with many passionate kiss,
Arthur Richardson went his way once more
When Helen opened the package she found,
amid the folds of tissue paper, piece Of
soft, glistening, brown India satin. She
laid it carefully away and although | often
questioned her as to when IL was going TO
make its appearance in our little church, she
always smiled quietly and evaded the sub
jeot. But | knew very well that she in
tended it should be her bridal robe, and she
would not have it made until near the time
of Arthurs expected return.
The probationary eighteen months rolled
away--daily was the good ship Sarah Jane
expected TO arrive in port.
The Sarah Jane was expected on Tuesday,
and by Saturday night we might look for
Arthur in Millville. Railways were things
unknown, or comparatively So in our region,
and the journey from Boston must be per
/ formed in an od-fashioned stage-coach.
Saturday came--a clear, cloudless day in
/ April, aud by special invitation | went over
/ to pass the time with Helen until Arthurs
arrival. She was flushed and smiling lit
tie anxious, but very happy, and so beauti-
/ full | could scarcely keep my admiring
eyes off her face all through the COOL bright
| afternoon, and when at eventide she arrayed
/ herself in the brown satin, and with a Grim
son shawl around her stood by my side on
/ the eastern piazza awaiting the coming of
I the stage, | could not refrain from clasping
my arms around her, and exclaimingj:
Dear Helen, how beautiful you are /" She
smiled her own sweet, gentle smile, as she
replied
81 am glad of it, Mary glad for his sake. y
/ The sun set-the shadows deepened and
and thickened. | remember that the wind
which had been all day western zephyr,
changed to the east, and blew up cold, white
columns of mist from the river; and the
blue translucent heavens were clothed in the
vestments of purple gray.
We both went down and leaned on the
gate that opened upon the highway. Not a
doubt crossed her mind she looked for his
coming with the tender faith with which a
child waits its mothers goodnight kiss
The numbering old coach came slowly uT
the hill
But the coachmans CHEEKY Good even
girls" fell on the ears that heard not, for rs