Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-10-27

framed glass. whose apex, surrounded b.
winged serpent, with eyes Of satani
allurement, reached the ceiling who's
base rested on o marble stand, whicl
two cupids held on their dimpled shoul
tlers. A flush Of pardonable pride me
her gaze as she viewed her reflection
aud a glorious reflection it was. "Peer
less her lovers called her, and truly /
was truth.
Suddenly irown, first of thoughtful
ness, then OF sorrow, afterward Of anger
crept over her brows and with ges
ture OF impatience, she turned away from
her review Of herself. 'I
81 know am beautiful. People tel
me so, aud I can see il myself. And Of
what avail is it unless I can make my
fortune by it9 / may be pretty, but ]
am certainly poor yes, indebted to a
generous charity for the very shoes on
my feet, the very food I daily eat!
Her teeth closed with very hiss, and
she murmured to herself: "True, Mr..
Mordaunt and little May have been
father and sister to me, yet I am de.
pendent they are simply almoners Of
their own bounty. I must be rich
should die were deprived Of the luxu-
ries, the elegances that have surrounded
me since I was tiny little girl"
She arose, and from little invalid
drawer drew forth a miniature portrait,
and her eyes full of that eager, passion
ate light, pressed it to her lips.
Justin, my darling, my darling, this
is my last caress it is my farewell
Oh, Justin, you never will know how
my heart aches with love for you how
long to have you fold me to your heart
aud tell me how you love me Justin,
my darling, cannot marry you. You
are poor and I am poor and-and Mr..
jameson is worth half million r.
With trembling, icy hand, Maude
closed the drawer she paced the floor a
second, clutching her own hands in
agony of that unnatural sacrifice. Her
heart gave many ,superhuman struggle
against the bond of slavery she unre.
lentingly cast about it and the emo.
tionless, bewilderingly fair and heartless
Maude Campbell went forth to fight her
way from love aud content to riches and
ambition. .tt
Above them the clear, blue sky, around
them the leafess chestnuts, their brown
arms all aglow with the glory of the SET
ting autumn day !; beneath them the leaf
strewn forest-path, where, in a perfect
blaze Of warmth and beauty, lay piles OF
orange, russell, crimson, and dull green
foliage. t.tt..
There the two stood alone with Nature
in Natures vast-aisled temple.
"Maude, and Justin st. Johns
voice came in a tenderly- loving manner,
while his arm stole around her tapering
waist" Maude, my darling, the time
has come when can no longer refrain.
l love you love you, Maude!"
He bowed to kiss her, his whole face
lighted by hope and joy.
She wheeled aside, then looked up at
him, her wondrous eyes filled with
amazement. -.ll' .i.-;i--- s-'
"Why, Mr.. St. John !'' u
That was all she said, but the flush on
her cheek deepened, and the fire in her
eye frightened.
81 may repeat it, then Come to me,
Maude, and let me hear you tell me that
I am as dear to you as you are to me.
Come, Maude."
She gently shook her head. .,.
"Mr. St. John, yo,. must not allow
yourself to be mistaken Forget what
has passed, and let us finish our walk as
we commenced it-good friends, and
nothing more" ~
She extended her hand, and Justin st.
John grasped it with might that
brought cry OF pain to her lips.
"Maude Campbell, you dare to set
aside my offers of love? You who have
taught me the sweet lesson-you, my
teacher? Maude, what does it mean 2"
His voice was full Of quivsring an
guish. .-.
Then, by mighty effort, Maude
silenced the loyal cry in heart, and
looked coldly up at him.
at means this-simply this. We
never, as long as yon sun shines, can be
more to each other than we are to-day
nor even as much, if you annoy me fur
ther."
Her voice was cold and calculating, for
she was thinking of John Jameson and
his half million SO that she did not see
the contracted look of supreme pain that
came over st. Johns handsome face,
and the white, haunting quiver of his
mustached lip, as, for an instant, he
bent beneath the sudden force of the un-
expected blow. r..
"Then, Miss Campbell, we will return
as we came. But may God keep me in
this hour, when the woman I love tells
liO ehoo uAAoy uCI w OuoAiuS ucI no
honest, as true love as man ever pos
sessed."
Homeward they went, while the sun
sank lower and lower, while damp chill
succeeded the genial warmth Of the air,
and, as they silently, gravely bowed
adieu at the house door, sudden gust
of wind, fresh from the dim forest 'aisles,
came shrieking upon them like wall of
despair to both their bleeding hearts.
The glory of the autumn had given
way to the frost king and from the win
dow Of Lady Mordaunt's pelatial home
cheerily streamed broad banners of ruddy
light over the snow, while within all was
gaiety and revelry.
Maude Campbell was there, queen Of
grace and beauty, as usual, surrounded
by her admirers as a sovereign by her |
courtiers.
Lucy Mordaunt, gentle and lovely,
had her time employed as hostess, while |