Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-22

nant that my noble fronted Edgar should
have pet name like baby. To me he
had the majesty of monarch. How
could she address him so?
was down stairs before the Christmas
came, able and willing to assist my aunt in
her mutitudinous preparations. and tried
to smile and look gratified during the
Christmas merry-making.
| heard but hardly seemed to realize,
that Bella was to be married early in the
new year, and that she and her husband
would come to spend the honeymoon with
us, and l was doing my best to nerve my
self for the meeting.
| The old year WAS closing in. Elspa-
who else?-came up to the house with n
letter she had found lying in by-road. 1t
should have been delivered some days pre-
viously; and it was supposed shat the
pOstman had taken more drink than was
good for him during the Christmas "card-
ings," and dropped it by the way.
Goodness! how that letter stunned me !
Bella was by that time married. She and
her husband were to be with us on New
Years Day. and they should bring with
them a New Years gift for Cousin Adela,
rs a thank offering for bringing them to-
gether Their Photographs were incosed
| only saw one. Yes, it was Elgar's.
There was no mistake.
The house was at once in u hustle of
preparation. Again slipped out to hide
my agony and prepare myself for the com
ing trial
Dreamily went along. l saw nothing
before me but that meeting on the morrow
and the revelation it was sure to bring.
My mind seemed II chaos, in which
thought was lost.
All at once found myself on the reedy
margin of the lake, as the silver circle OF
the moon was rising above the mountain
tops. And there l stood, looking on the
dark waters, while something seemed to
whisper to me that there was peace; that
| need not meet the proud bride and my
inconstant love unless | chose; that
might hide my sorrows and secrets there,
and none to be the wiser.
Ny foot was on the brink. There was
a step on the stones behind me. | turned ;
and think my half-formed purpose was
visible in my face, and | once more con-
fronted old Elspa, weird and watch-like in
the moonlight, II warning finger held up,
Sharp were her words, sharp as my
need. She bade me go down on my knees,
and thank God that He had sent her to
save me from my third peril-the peril of
body and soul. What was | pulling over?
What right had to fling away the life
that was given for the service of others?
How dared tempt death. loving the crea-
ture more than the Creator? She had
heard me raving to the winds when
thought myself alone, and had kept Il
| T. nd civ In1
back home, and pray to be forgiven, and
to "trust the Lord to make His dark ways
plain"
She took my hand and led me back like
a pentent child; said to my aunt that she
thought was not well, and by her leave,
would watch me through the night. Some
thing, too, she gave me- and l slept
When | awoke chaise was at the gate,
and before could fasten my dress with
my trembling fingers, Bella had burst in,
radiant with happiness, and flung her arms
around me.
Come, Adela make haste " said she
" Edward is all impatience to see you and
show you our New Years gift"
Edward" l grasped.
Yes, my dear, Edward! Did you not
know his name?"
1t WAS all tangle. l followed her to
the living room below, where the great
holly bush was hanging, and there stood
a stranger, who was introduced to me as
James Edward Neville, my new cousin
and surely, too, Edgar, my own Edgar
for he held out his arms and caught me as
| was falling.
, He had been best man at his cousin.
wedding, and Bella had only seen him Z
, few days previously. The postman mus
have lost another letter, one Edgar had
sent to ME. The photograph had beer
inclosed by mistake. The others would bt
+ in the lost letter.
a Old Elspa kept my secret well. But
9 never forgot the lesson she had taugb
q me; and though Edgar carried me ava.
. from Cumberland as proud a wife rs Bella
we took good care of Old Elspa for th'
4 rest of her days Prom CaSSeU Maga
. zinc.