Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-03-06
The Messenger OF Love.

Wutu tie Dttdlilt thkobtu w i'iuhNhN isi"Nhi
whose princely estate adjoned his own,
every one said it would be fine match.
Blanche was loving tender, impulsive, and
very beautiful her eyes were of violet hue,
her hair a rich dark brown, and her COM
plexion pure as lily. All her hearts affec-
ton was centered on Archer, and he returned
her love in full. Had it not been for one
thing theirs would have been a happy court
ship and marriage; that one thing was
Banche's jealously and this is how it came
about:
Mrs. Clifton, Archer's mother, had re-
ceived into her home her recently orphaned
niece, Viola. At first Blanche thought moth
ing of it, but when her friends began to
playfully remind her that Archer's love
might be transferred to his lovely little cou-
sin, her jealous spirit became aroused. Even
the cousinly kindness which Archer extended
toward his bereaved young relative, when
seen through the veil of jealousy, seemed
like so much love-making.
Blanche bore with what she considered
her ill-treatment as long as she could, and
finally she told Archer he must send his
cousin away if he valued her love. Archer
was astonished at this strange request.
"Why Blanche" he said, :" | cannot send
Viola away. She is poor and friendless, and
has no home except the one my mother has
given her. You surely do not wish me to
send that delicate child into the cold world y
"Delicate child, indeed" Blanche ex-
claimed, scornfully "She is seventeen
exactly my own age, Mr. Clifton. And as
for being delicate, | consider her strong and
healthy. However, Archer Clifton, you must
choose between us. If you wish to marry
me your cousin must find another home if
she remains in your house we must separate
forever"
"Blanche, this is unreasonable. You are
my promised wife, and love you, you alone ;
yet cannot grant this request" said Archer.
"And you refuse to send her away ?" de-
manded Blanche
al cannot send her away, Blanche, for the
reasons have stated. Anything else that
you may ask | will do, but this | cannot"
Archer said.
"Very well, sir; our engagement is at an
end / see you prefer your cousins love. |
hope she will make you model wife;" and
Blanche arose, and haughtily taking the ring
from her finger she tossed it toward him.
She then started to leave the room, but
Archer placed himself by the door, thus
barring her exit
"Oh, Blanche, you do not mean it You
are angry now some one has been poison
ing your mind l know you love me, and
why will you wreck your own happiness as
well as mine in this manner? Oh, my dar-
ling, anything but this will do. Where
would my cousin go if turned her out of
my home ?" and he essayed to take her in
his arms, but she drew back haughtily.
81 do not care where she goes. 1t is plain
that you love her better than you do me, and
| wish you to understand that never loved
you, and that | now hate you / command
you to let me pass !" she exclaimed.
Archer's face flushed, then paled. He
quickly opened the door and passed through,
murmuring in husky voice:
"God forgive the wrong you have done A"
Blanche started after him with wild cry
of grief.
90, Archer, forgive, forgive I" she ex-
claimed; but the cry died away on her lips,
and she sank senseless to the floor.
When Blanche recovered her conscious
ness she was in darkened chamber, and a
strange woman was by her side. She started
forward, crying spasmodically-
Archer, o Archerl"
"You must lie still, my dear, and not ex.
ert yourself" the woman said, gently fore
ing her back on the pillow.
But where am | ? And why must | lie
still ? Is it not morning 7" asked Blanche,
passing her hand across her forehead in a
dazed manner.
"You have been very sick, my child, and
now you must keep perfectly quiet and not
ask any questions" was the reply.
Blanche did as she was requested, but her
recovery was slow. When she was well
enough to sit up she learned that Archer
Clifton had gone to Europe. Oh, what a
sad blow it was to her How bitterly she
repented her foolish jealousy
Among the first to call on Blanche were
Mrs. Clifton and her niece. The former
took Blanche's face between her hands and
kissed her in a motherly way.
"Oh, Blanche 2" she exclaimed, through
her tears, "why did you send my boy
away ?"
Blanche had schooled herself for this
meeting, and although her heart was nearly
broken, she answered calmly that Archer
and she had reasons best known to them
selves; that the subject was unpleasant to
her, and she did not care to speak about it
The years rolled on. Nothing was heard
from Archer Clifton, and even his mother
believed him to be dead. Viola married
and went to New York to live, and at hel
earnest solicitations her aunt went to live
with her in her new home.
Blanche still remained in her native vii
lage, growing more coldly beautiful every
day. She made few friends, and was rarely
seen to smile. She was termed " the ice
berg" and to outward appearances SIN
was very cold but her heart was warm anC
sympathetic. She became a regular mis-
sionary to the poor, and among them he
name was known and blessed for mile
around. Being miserable herself she strov,
to atone for her own sufferings by relieving
the wants of others.
But where was Archer Clifton all thes,
years After leaving his home he made
tour of all the principal places in Europe
being still restless, he again went over til,
same ground. At last he was seized by
restless desire to return home. So intens
became this inclination that he could not ri,
himself of it, and he embarked on his home
ward voyage.
Among the cabin passengers were tw,
who attracted his attention. mother an,
her child. The mother was pale, careworl
woman it was plain that she was rapid
dying of that terrible destroyer, consumI
ton. Her daughter was beautiful girl o
twelve years. She soon made friends witt
Archer and told him her name was Fan
Marco that her father used TO be rich, bu
he lost all his money and then came h
America that he had not written to then
for three years, so she and her mother wer
going to try to find him. ain what part o
America is your father, little girl 2"' aske,
Clifton.
"Oh, we don't know. Mamma saws she
afraid we can't find him but I've got
nice plan. I'm going out every day to wall
up and down the streets, and I'm sure III
find my father some day." said Zana, noddin
her head confidentially.
Archer smiled sadly at the child's faitl
and simplicity, but he thought it was bes
not TO undeceive her.
When they came within three DAYS sal
from land, Jana came on deck shrieking an,
crying that her mother was dead Ii wa
true; the poor woman had passed quietl
away in the night. She was speedily al
rayed for her watery grave, the greedy wave
swallowed the beloved form, and the sh
went on its way as though nothing had haI
pened. Heaven pity the poor motherles
child which IL carried with it What woul
become of her 2 Better, far better, to leay
her with her dead mother Thus though
Archer Clifton as he gazed on the priet
stricken girl. At last a thought struck hin
Why not adopt the child, and thus save he
from harm He was well able 10 do 80. an
he would do it.
"Zana, he said, stroking her hair, "wher
will you go when we reach New York 2"
ooh, | don't know | have no place t
80 unless ] can find papa" said Zana, sol
biDg harder than ever