Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21
HpIiOtrOpp.


HellotrOpe.
went to live with Aunt Edmonton wher
poor papa died. That was half dozer
years ago, yet my trouble seems as fresh to
day, my loss as irreparable as on that ter
rible morning when left him lying in hi
lonely grave under the old willows.
Poor papa how fond we were of eacl
| other He had no one in the wide worlC
but me. Mamma died when | was a we,
baby, not quite two Summers old-ded
away off in southern France, and sleep!
there now under the shadow of the purpl,
vine-clad hills.
| have seen many fair women, but neve
a face half so lovely as hers. Her portra
used to hang in the old gallery at Edmonton
Hall, but it is gone now. Aunt Edmonton
had something to do with its disappearance e
| think, for she never liked my mother
The Edmontons are an old, proud race
you see, with pedigree running back to the
days of the cavaliers, and an ancient cres
on their massive old silver, and the bluest Of
blue blood in their aristocratic veins Al
least Aunt Edmonton says so.
Papa always laughed at her high fancies
and held that one honest soul was as gooC
as another, no matter whether its owner
wore royal purple or holden gray, and wher
he met my pretty mamma and loved her. ht
did not hesitate about making her his wife
though she was penniless and daughter oi
the people.
Aunt Edmonton was terribly angered
and, when the pretty bride came home tc
Edmonton Hall. she met her with scowlinl
brows, and led her such life that paps
soon took her abroad, and there she died
and was buried few brief months after
was born.
Papa never outlived his grief at her loss
He loved her dead as tenderly as he loved
her living, and cherished me as no Other
child was ever cherished. grew up in hi:
very bosom he was my teacher, companion
| aud friend. We were never separated.
What blissful life we led, Bohemian:
though we were Whittier our fancy leo
us, there we pitched our tent, under sunny
southern skies, in the solemn shadow Of
time-famed ruins, by the margins of storiec
rivers. | was Graded on the great deer
| and reared amid the classic wealth of for
eign lands.
But, as time went by, papa's health grew
feeble, and we came home to Edmonton
Hall and there he died.
left the dear old Southern home and hi!
grave under the dropping willows, and wen
to live with Aunt Edmonton.
As have said, Aunt Edmonton was
proud woman. She was more-a worldly
one. Wealth was her Mooch, and she helc
no heart treasure too precious to be given a:
an Offering to his fiery embrace.
| was an Edmonton as well as herself
and, despite the disgrace of my pretty nam
mas alien blood, ! could not be put tc
household drudgery. Hence was installed
as SOFT of companion, to read BalZac anC
George Sand, while my aunt and Marguerite
slipped their noon chocolate, and to keeI
the point lace in order and the family Jew
els well FURNISHED. Not laborious task
aud it brought me bread and butter, ant
bread and butter we must have in this com
mon-place world, even though our hearts
break and our souls starve.
Aunt Edmonton did not like the old hall
She declared frankly that the old house wa.
better suited for bats and owls than human
beings, and it was shut up, and we livet
first in one gay city and then another, anC
finally crossed the sea and went to Paris.
Dear me how my aunt and Marguerit,
did enjoy the life they lei there, and how
pined and longed for home 1t is marve
how differently constituted people are, witt
the same blood in their veins, too.
Belle" said my aunt one night, whel
preparations were going on TOR some famou
bali, "will you have the kindness to go t,
the greenhouse, and cut the flowers for Mar
guerite's hair. She wears natural flowers to
night, and can't trust to Felice. Look a
her dress, please, and select what you thin
will suit--your taste is perfect"
Marguerite threw aside her novel, an
shook down her black tresses as | was lea,
ing the room.
"Belle, don't fail to cut some heliotropt
please. Captain Carruthers is here and h
dotes on heliotrope. By-theby, you remem
Der Carruthers, don't you 2"
My foolish heart gave sudden thumI
and the tell-tale blood rushed to my cheek
How well | remember him Papa's be.
friend-the friend who stood by his dyn
pillow and closed his sightless eyes.
| remember his parting words, too, whe
he left me standing beside the new mad
grave under the willows.
"No words of mine can give you any con
fort now, Belle, but time heals the sore:
wounds. regret to leave you, but my reg
iment goes abroad tomorrow. Good-by,
One day, please heaven, hope to meet 20
again"
But in all the dreary following years
had heard no word from him.
"You remember him, of course" col
tinued my handsome cousin; " he used
be at the hall great deal in your father
time Well, we met him last night at ii
reception. He's been here a week and he
a millionaire, Belle. You know old Carrut
ers, of Carruthers Place He's dead, al
the captain inherits the fortune, you Sc
, So don't forget the heliotrope. know
} isn't becoming-purple, of all colors, sui
/ my creole complexion best-but rememb
;. what fancy Carruthers always had for hell
l trope, and he's worth pleasing, you know u
. Aunt Edmonton laughed as she arose al
G shook out her lace founces.
"Wear the heliotrope, by all means, Rii
but you need not feel bit anxious. "
secured the captain aud his fortune la
night that rose silk and diamonds did i
Q work. never saw man more infatuate
,, Well, he's good match. I've not word
o say against it no better family in Virgin
s than he comes of, and Carruthers Place is
IT grand old home. All, there's his carriage
e low now. I'll go down until YOU are read
S Do make haste, Belle And | wish y
d would be obliging enough TO do up Rit
t hair this evening, you are more skill
70 than Felce. And look over the jewe
's please think that pearl and opal set W
If match her dress"
l. | hurried down to the greenhouse. Hea
10 ache was no new sensation, but someh,
u my pain seemed intolerabe as made l
" way down the dim aisle, gorgeous trol
10 blooms sitting me with their rank odors.
d forgot Rites flowers, forgot her wa
$, ing toilet, forgot everything but my o.
r suffering. An aloe tree in full blossom, $
lie ting alone like some weird neoromanc
lie caught my eye, and sank down at its ro
k, and burst into tears.
SO | seemed to see papa's grave covered W
he yellow Autumn leaves, heard the VIZ
ie of the waves, the murmur of the pine tire
III The hustle of the gaslit streets drove me
frenzy.