Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-08-25
"With pleasure, Miss Ingestre.

, "With pleasure. Miss Ingcstre."
: "Im afraid you'll find il rather dul
} during our absence, Janet" her uncl
said. "We're going on three month
bridal tour, and"-
"And am going to London. NJ,
dear uncle, don't say word, I have SO
my heart on it. My old nurse live'
there. will lodge with her; and, really
life in this stagnant villa is growing in
supportable."
So il was settled; and duly the we'd
ding came of. Eva the loveliest o
brides, Mr.. Etheridge the most ecstatic
Of old bridcgrooms, Janet Stuart the
stateliest and calmest OF bridesmaids.
Then they were gone-off to Paris ia
begin with; and Janet said goodbye to
the old homestead, and was whirled
away to the metropolis, where she was
soon busy in the precarious venture OF
writing a book.
Another summer, and it came out, and
was brilliant success. Another, and a
second followed, and Jennie Stuart woke
up one morning and found herself
famous. Rich, too, or comparatively 80,
and able to crafty the desire of her
heart, and go abroad to fair, foreign
lands, with m adrairing party of literary
friends. Once-oh how long ago it
seemed now-she had thought to wander
through those storied nations as Ernest's
happy wife.
So the world went round, and the
years went by, and ten OF those years
had been counted off the great rosary,
when Janet Stuart came back to her
native land. Wealth and fame had
crowned her; but she came back Janet
Stuart still, true to that old dream, a
saddened and lonely woman.
There were changes before her. Her
uncle was dead; his young wife inherited
all his vast wealth the fine old home
stead was for sale, and Earnest was
where? No one knew; he had gone out
to Australia, having quarreled with his
new aunt, and consequently with his old
uncle;. that was all Janet could learn.
Janet Stuart went back to the village
of her girlhood, purchaser of the fine old
homestead where her happiest years had
been spent, and settled down among the
familiar sights and sounds to contcnted
old maidenhood. There were friends
there still glad and proud to welcome her
and she could do good; and with her
gray goose-quilI," and her piano, and
her pets, she was happy.
She stood in the May twilight under
the sycamore by the gate, one radiant
evening, six months after her coming,
tying up early roses, and singing softly,
when man came slowly up the dusty
road, and looked at the pretty picture.
A man who was bronzed, and haggard,
and weather-beaten, and but poorly clad
with his cap pulled far over his eyes
handsome blue eyes still. He paused at
the gate, weary and pale.
"Janet p
She turned round with low, shrill
cry, dropped tho rose-vine, and caught
both his hands, her face more radiant
than the sunset sky.
ernest! Oh, Ernest, Ernest !"
land you are really glad to see me,
Janet p
She opened the gate, her happy eyes
shining luminous, and drew him in.
"Did you know was here?" she
lsked.
Yes-why else should l have come
But did not mean to intrude. I only
wanted to look upon your face once
more before went away again !''
event away? Where
Back to Australia. am poor, and
'an nothing here; there is still an OPEN
ng there. And before I go, dearest,
'ravest Janet, tell me you forgive me
or the past"
His voice broke down; the old love,
tronger than ever, looked at her i'm.
'loringly, hopelessly out of his eyes.
She stood before him, her hands lightly
N his shoulders, her dear face smiling
Up at him so tender, so true.
You must not 60; you must not {
cave me! Dear Ernest, I don't forgive c
Il only love you - t
Later, when the crystal crescent was c
its highest, and the last lights were a
ying out of the homestead windows. {
irnest Etheridge walked up the peace
III moonlit road to his hotel. But with, \
h such an infinitely happy face, and I
nging as he went: O
Say am old, and gray, and sad;
Say that health and strength have missed me; q
ny I'm poor, but also add t.
Jennie kissed me - C