Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
himself to future uncheered by loving
cOmpnniOnship.

Had he possessed Asmodeus's power
he might have been waited to home in
Paris, where sweet-faced woman, love.
lisr in her gentle maturity than even in
her girlish bloom, was teaching class
of girls the hard words of the English
language.
Accepting the position offered her
by her old friend, and refusing the assis-
lance proffered grudgingly by her
adopted fathers brother, Leda Morri-
son had travelled with the children under
her charge for nearly six years.
Then, finding herself in Paris and
able to gather class o: pupils for Eng
lish, she had decided not to return to
her old home, earning more than sniff
cient for her humble wants in her new
vocation.
II was some weeks after the discovery
Of the long-lost letter, and the class of
girls were improving their English nc
cent by reading from newspaper, when
one slowly and hesitatingly read
"LEpA The letter written thirteen
years ago has just reached me. Write
again. H."
In moment Leda, white and tremb-
ling, was eagerly scanning the lines.
Leda! 1t was an odd name.
Could there be another Leda who had
risked her whole LIES happiness thir-
teen years before in letter to ell?
We're there two Herberts? If it should
bc--if it should be?
The young ladies' wondered Mt the per-
feet impunity with which they murdered
the English language during the re-
mainder of the class-hour, but none
guessed the tumult of hope and fear in
the heart of their pale. gentle teacher
none saw her, when she was at last alone,
write few words only:
eff it is indeed Herbert who has put
the inclosed advertisement in the paper,
he will find me Mt No. % Rue Mont,
Paris. Ever his faithful, loving be-
trothed. LEDA."
Then she put the advertisement into
the letter, sealed and directed it, and
sent it over the sea to the anxious lover
waiting and praying for tidings.
The English classes were never
neglected; the comfort of the aged widow
who was Leda's companion was never
forgotten, the daily duties of life were
conscientiously performed, but it seemed
to Leda as if her whole life concentrated |
upon the arrival of the mails after there
was possibility of receiving an answer
to her short note.
She grew pale with restlessncss at
night when the dream of her youth came
again to keep her wakeful.
All the old love, the old hope, tho
despair and pain
came back to haunt her as she waited
with renewed hope for tidings.
81 am growing old and worn," she
said one day, looking at her pale face
i'll the mirror; 81 am not the blooming
girl Herbert loved, but careworn, pallid
woman.
And her own sad eyes could not see
the rare beauty of the sweet face.
But, still thinking of her love, she
twisted her hair in a heavy coronet over
her shapely head, and upon one side put
a knot of blue ribbons.
Herbert liked it 81, " she thought.
Then she pinned blue ribbons over
her gray dress under soft lace collar,
and put on brooch her adopted father
had given her, which was favorite with
Herbert.
And thinking sadly Of the change
years had made, she was summoned to
her sitting-room to meet grave, middle
aged man, changed also, until upon his
lips and in his eyes she read his con-
stancy and answered it by her own.
Years rolled back as these two, faith
ful through all, met at last to know their
hearts still young, their love still true, as
It was in those days when cruel fate
separated them by so small an agent as
rack in the wall behind n mantel,0iece.