The Van Buren press., 1876-12-12
MISCELLANY.
How 1t Was.

then p asked Miss Lucinda Smith, mlli'
ner.
Just exactly alike, 1t will please
Hermione, and there is nothing like SO
well as to please my pretty stepmamma,'
answered Linly Thetford, lifting her
swee, eyes for sympathy TO the precise
countenance of Miss Mucinda.
"Umph $50 you are very fond of her,
Linly =
"Yes, indeed! She is my best friend
since poor papa died and being 50 near
of an age, we a.e constant eau panions.
| don't know what saould do II II
weren't for Hermione;i Ryeland's has
changed so since papa death.
You have Mr. ST, Charles company a
great deal, hear" -.
A flash like sunrise dyed the beautiful
brunette face.
"Of course, he is Helmiones cousin,
and-and like brother to me- answer.
ed Linly, stopping over a box of silk
viole,s to hide her confusion.
"Umph! yes well, It's all right. Of
course remarked Miss Lucinda, pinch
ing out brer leaf, and setting the little
rose more firmly on its stem. "Bul
didn't it ever occur to you that folks
would talk 2"
"About what?' asked Linly, lifting
her clear hazel eyes to Miss Lucinda
profile. -
"His being at Ryelands so much, SC
soon after Your fathers death, Pool
man dead but six mouths; should
think your stepmamma, as you call her
would have more respect for his memory
than To-"
Than to what2 asked Linly, hel
bright orbs growing large and hrigh'
with Indignation. "What have you to
say against Hcrmione-ag inst my faith
ers wife, Miss Lucinda r
"Say oh, say nothing. It's what
other people are talking ahont, But
must add, that it is strange you are SC
blind, Idly. Now I've known you evel
since you was child-used to come to
II, eland' every spring to make caps in
your gandmother's day, and your own
mother always bought her bonnets of me
and YOU were always bright enough
about other things Its strange you
cant see
"What?" with thrill in the young
voice.
"Why, Of course. your stepmother
married your father tor his money, and
to have home and position. She was
only district school-te.. aer, down in
/ MarsIlivld, when he married her, and
every body knew she did pret y well foi
herself when she married DR.. Ihettord
But she WAS dead in love with her cousin
| Rupert St Charles, and he with her; but
they were poor. and he working his way
SO slowly through college that she
thought there wasn't much chance there
and so gave him up for your father, And
he is now promising young lawyer. and
she mistress Of Ryelands, what is SC
likely ?-Lor, you amt going to faint
are YOU, Linlv?'
"Fain,Y No! The day is warm and
your store is close 1t is foolish for me-
10 stay here listening to this gossip.
do not feel in the least indebted to you
fo, repeating ii to me, Miss Lucinda
NV beautiful stepmother loved my father
dearly when she married him-6ye years
of utter devotion to his interests, Rnt
her crushing grief at his death, provct
it for me--nor do / believe she lovet
any one else when she married him
"And if she chooses 10 marry Mr.. st
Charles no,c, she is at liberty. for all II
Circleville : and bowing with the bares
civlity to Miss Lucinda, Linly left tht
shop. .s
The cool air of the village streets cool
cd her burning checks; but how her 10y
al young heart ached in her bosom
Not for worlds would she have had Miss
Lucinda confirmed in her susspicion'
that she loved Bupert st Charles; but i
was the cruel truth He was SO kind and
fine in his nature, SO handsome and un
spoiled by his rapid success in life, ne
wonder the grlish heart worshiped him
She had never believed that there was
anything between the cousins but cous
iply Kindness and free ION. But perhaps
Others knew better; may be she wa
"blind"
A feeling of bitter desolation fell up
on her as she entered the broad gates o
Ryelands, whence her beloved father
whose pet she had always been, hat
been carried scarcely half year before
She loved Hermione, and had believed
that Hcrmone loved her best Of any
thing in the world, but how 1t seemed a.
il she had no home in any heart.
Mr.. st Charles beautiful mare sultar
stood tied to tree. For the first tim'
the sight gave Linly pain instead o
pleasure. She did not wish to meet him
land she turned away from the door, ant
took the garden path
The ground of Ryelands were old anc
fine. The doctors large practice anc
open hearted hospitality had formerly
kept much state there, but Of late all wa.
very quiet.
She saw no one, as her path woun>
among the shrubbery but soon she heart
voices. and pausing to learn what direc
ton they were in, the following converse
ton forced itself upon her:
81 ha r,lly know what to say
"But, Hermione, surely you trust me 2
"Yes, entirely But, Rupert wait I
year. Nv husband has been dead but |
short time and shrink from such I
responsible act
IL cannot wait year. You know
how lonely have been, and now that
love one woman with my whole soul
and she is free, and | can at least taxi
care OF wife--surely, Hermione, yo'