Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-08-05

certainly talked gayly with Helen; bui
at the same time he tasted the luxurious
liquid, by dropping little from ladle
upon pan OF snow.
Lawrence also was much interested in
the experiment OF ascertaining when the
sugar was done sufficiently to grain.
Helen taught il to him. It is this:
Make little hoop or bow OF q splinter,
or straw which you may pluck from
the broom, and plunge it into the boil
ing sugar in such o way as to have a
heavy film adhere to it; then blow
through the hoop, and II the dross Of
sugar flies away, white and light like a
feather-why the syrup has been over
the fire long enough, aud all you have
to do is to cool 1t, and stir 1t to make it
grain. Helen also explained to her new
acquaintance that, a. soon az the maple
trees begin to bud, the sap becomes use.
less for sugar. You may boil it and boil
il till you burn it up; but IL will not
grain. This appears to be provision
Of nature.
At length the sugar "feathered u;
then the kettle was removed from the
fire, and all things made ready for the
feast. Nicholas tub Of snow was in de-
mand. Basins and pans were filed;
and the snow covered and deeply streak
ed with sugar which had been poured
upon it, was passed around to the conf
pany. Boys and girlsate from the same
dishes, delighted; drawing the hard wax
ont of the snow and quarreling for it
playfully. Some, however, took their
sugar in saucers, and cooled it by STIR
ring to make it grain. The kitchen was
the scene of this sugaring off," and
the most perfect happiness prevailed.
With one exception. Eliva did not
like to see Lawrence drawing wax with
Helen, in corner by themselves. Hav-
ing tried in vain to separate them, she
gave up in despair, and was only miser-
able. Yet she would not acknowledge,
even to herself, that Helen was anything
but silly goose, and that Lawrence was
not "making fun of her.
Was it possible that her cousin en-
joyed himself as well as he pretended
tot Was it genuine good nature which
caused him to appear so highly amused,
when Jane Fairfield and Lizzie Wyman
became engaged in a sweet combat, and
fought each other with ropes of wax 2
Eliva felt more like crying with vexa-
tion!
At length, after few games had been
played, and the company had danced
little to Edward Jones playing on the
flute; after the guests had feasted on
sugar, and exhausted all the inventions
of mirth, the party broke up and the
young people began to take their leave.
Eiva was congratulating herself with
the reflection that it was all over, and
that Lawrence would never see one of
the "vulgar, odious company" again,
when, to her infinite astonishment and
vexation, her cousin whispered in her
ear that he had engaged to walk b me
with Helen!
How blind is pride! Eliva saw in this |
arrangement only the vanity of Helen,
and the mischievous nature OF her cousinl |
She would not believe he had any bet
ter motive than to amuse himself |
with the effect OF his fatteryl And al- |
though she was a little astonished that |
he did not "make fun" of her on his re-
Sllo WOulu uOU Cuduk6s
Even on the following day, when Law
renee called on Miss Snow, Eliva silently
accused him of malice. How could she
think Of anything else rs long as it was
her settled conviction that, could he for
get that she ever associated with such
people, he would adore her /; and her
hope that she should some day become
Mrs. Lawrence Gray, and occupy his
house in the city2
But disenchantment came. It was
during the following autumn. Lawrence,
having visited @. during the summer, was
at his uncle's house again. Eliva was
fattering herself that she was seer
tain of him."
"Coz," said lie, sitting down by her
side, "I've some thoughts of cha ging
my way of living. I think I have lived
the dreary life of bachelor long enough.
Eliva cast down her eyes discreetly.
"I hope you will make good choice"
she murmured.
81 think have"
Lawrence looked her full in the face.
She turned away modestly.
Ever sinca I have known anything
of the world" he continued, ~ have
believed that the man is less liable to be
deceived, who takes his wife from
country home, than lie who marries one
,ity born and bred"
"Oh! Perhaps you are right !"
sighed Eliva.
"And l have chosen accordingly.
nave come here for a wife,
"Here |" exclaimed Eliza, affecting
10 be surprised.
Yes-here, to the town of c.; and
lave chosen-Helen Snow |"
Had her cousin declared an intention
% select consort from tribe Of Es-
Iuimaux, Eliva could scarcely have been
more surprised. So utterly unable was
The to realize the startling truth, that it
s generally thought she never believed I
Ter cousin to be in earnest until his mar
'iage with Helen actually took place, q
hort time ago; and even now, in her in
Ibility to understand how such things
,an be, she more than half believes that !
here was some sort of enchantment
lsed on the night of her last-her fatal
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