Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1878-12-24

in the overlooking cup, and my slipper
beat an angry note upon the carpet. After
q few moments silence, she left the ROOM
while I, for appearance sake, lifted the
open volume still lying face downward
beside me, and feigned to read. Soon
some one entered. L a-153-t Oh
Hattie dear, 2 it was Aunt Martha s
gentle tones, "I'm going out now; if you
have purchases to make, I'll attend to
them. as-1.rr ire a%ltI al
The memorandum | had already pre-
pared; so sprlnging lightly up the broad
steps, from my room l brought my porte
monnaie and dropped it over the balus
trade into the hands upturned to receive
it.
you II not see me again till tea time.
Good -byl In try to find the doctor"
And then the street door closed, and /
was alone.
Walking back to my chamber, ! paused
before Aunt Martha $ door. 1t was un-
fastened, and pushing it open, ! entered.
There was something of the owners spirit
pervading this room. / always felt more
calm and quiet here, and now its gentle,
sunny influence soothed the inward chat
ings | walked to the window; but the
still falling snow brought too vividly the
memory Of my disappointment;an and, turn
ing away, my eyes fell upon the writing
desk, wherein lay secrets | longed to see
revealed. The drawer was fastened. but
upon the floor, with the draught of the
register rustling its unclasped leaves, was
the treasure had so long coveted, Aunt
Martha's journal. She had evidently
been writing, for the still undried ink &C
counted for its appearance. Four hours
were safely mine. Bounding to the hall,
| ordered that no one should be admitted,
that was engaged until tea-time. Then
locking the door, | took this diary of a
woman's hopes and fears, and with feel
ing almost Of veneration, | thought Of
those leaves whereon lay the working of
a human heart-the hidden mysteries of a
human life, And opening the book, /
read:
NOV 1st.-Eighteen tomorrow. Her
bert says | am not dignifed, because |
helped Charlie fasten his windmill to the
gate post. He inquired if it was my new
bonnet, or the new minister, which made
me so anxious to attend church to morrow.
| did not tell him-though both had a
hare, apart from really wishing to go the
day l am eighteen. / am glad it falls
upon the holy Sabbath.
"Nov 2nd-What day of excitement
it has beenl When arose, the morning
was beautiful; the whole air seemed
redolent ofthe sacred Sabbath Thought
to spend the hours quietly, that | might
look into my heart, and on this, my eigh-
teenth birthday, root out the evil and up
hold the good; but the morning, like the
budding promise of womauhoOd, deceived
us. Herbert took me to church with his
new colt. The sermon was suited to my
wants; it refreshed and strengthened the
spirit. Coming home, Herbert was as
merry as ever, though | fancied he did
not like me to praise so highly the hand :
some young minister, for he asked me
abruptly what l thought of DR.. Grove,
whom he presented. And when / replied
scarcely noticed him; he said was just like
the rest, and struck the colt. But just
then, we were turning to the house; and
the wind striking Charles windmill, the
noise and whip gave Pedro start, and he
upset us over the gate post. Dear Her
bert was taken up much stunned; and for
awhile, the death angel hovered over our
dwelling. Fortunately DR.. Grove had
seen the accident, and came to our assist
ance. do not think papa was pleased to
have so young physician; but Herbert is
his friend, and will have no other. He
remains all night for fear Of fever.
''Nov 7th.-Herbert is Slowly improv-
ing; the fever has at last abated, and tie
immediate danger is past. DR.. Grove
scarcely leaves his side, and has almost
become one of the family. 1t is to his
oyaao1ipnr 90 re, xx1a f,xra ,,t1r bro+ 1ifa
Mr.. Dalton, too, has been very attentive,
coming every day to inquire for the sick,
ind offer assistance Indeed the whole
village seems alive in kindness towards
him. -
'fDec. 10th.-Now that Herbert is out
of danger, | almost dread his gradual re
eovery; for with his returning strength,
we shall see less of the doctor, who is
preparing to leave us. | wish Herbert
would not tease me so much about Mr.
Dalton especially in DR.. Groves pres
ence, for he is sure to look SO at me that
the crimson blood will mount, regardless
of every effort; and Herbert always adds,
that blush confirms it, This morning,
when he asked me to delay my walk that
he might accompany me, Herbert coolly
remarked, Dalton will be in but as
readily acquiesced, he seemed satisfied,
and answered, then both can be better
spared. We went to the mill race; for
once | could be myself in the DOCTORS
presence, and never did. / enjoy his com
pany so well. Heseemed equally pleased.
and we agreed to go to the pond to-mor-
row. When we reached. home, Mr.
Dalton stood at the gate, waiting our
return. did not notice, at the time,
that doctor hardly returned his quiet
bow. For me life was so bright that /
would have met any living object kindly
and stood, for moment and spoke with
him. He gave me bunch of late chrys-
anthemum, and passed into the sick
room, still holding them in my hand
Herbert noticed them. for he laughed,
exclaiming, that it was too bad to go to
walk with one gentleman, and wait till
got home for another to give me flowers
The cloud gathered in the doctors face;
this time dispclled it, Taking glass, /
placed them in water by the bedside,
saying we would all enjoy their beauties.
When looked up. the smile had come
back, the shadow flown
tsDec. 11th.-As rainy day Nothing
| but rubber boots and oil suits could ven.