Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-01-24

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introduced him he did it in his usual
slovenly manner. This is my sister
Kate; this is my sister Alice; my grand
mother, Mrs. HuDgerford.'"
Alice initiated Toms manner 80 ad-
mirably that I could not hep laughing.
"Well, well," said 1, getting into
bed, 81 will think about it"
The next day we went fishing on the
lake, and Mr.. Chesney's attentions to
me were more marked than ever. And
to my shame be it recorded-I en-
couraged them. Alice, the sly puss,
pretended not to notice anything in Mr..
Chesney's behavior beyond ordinary
politeness, but 1 observed that Grand
mother Hungerford was more sober and
SO late than usual, so asked:
"Are you not well, grandma, dear ?"
"Quite well" was the :, ply, "but 1
| think we had better return to the
hotel"
That was the end of our fishing, for
Grandmother HAngerford's wish was
most always a command, so we had
nothing to do but to obey.
Kate" said my grandmother, as she
was about retiring for the night, I" I
wish you would come to my room; I
want to speak to you"
Certainly" I said, and rose to fol-
low her.
"Not you, Alice" who had risen
also, 81 want to see Kate alone"
"What could she want with me p 1
thought; yet my heart told me, and
full of conflicting emotions, I entered
the room with her.
"My DEAR" said my grandmother,
seating herself and smoothing her dress,
as was her wont when she had anything
important to communicate, I wish to
tell you the story of friend of mine. !"
"a story p I exclaimed, jumping up,
somewhat relieved, for / expected q
lecture. Then by all means let us
have Alice here"
"Sit down again, Kate; this story is
for your ears alone"
I saw by the gravity with which this
was said, that it was no common story to
be told, SO wonderingly resumed my
seat.
Heaving little sigh, and brushing
away tear, my grandmother COM
menced
"The story that 1 am about to tell
you has not been told for forty years,
and I would not tell it now, did not
think that circumstances demand it."
Forty years why, what long time
agoI"
eyes, it it is long time" and my
grandmother sadly shook her head,
"but long as it is, was then acquaint-
ed with young girl, whom I will call
Marion Orme."
"Then it is not real story, grand
ma ?"
eff you mean true story, it is. But
I shall disguise the Names"
A true story with the name disguised
My curiosity was piqued, and deter
mined to find out the real actors in it, if
Icould. 1 became all ears.
People called Marion beautiful; be
that as it may, she was good girl, of
that I am sure, though somewhat
thoughtless and giddy. At last she was
married, and none loved her husband
more than she"
"And why shouldn't she love her
husband" l interpolated.
Motioning me to silence by a wave of
her hand, my grandmother continued :
CATER two years of welded happi-
ness, business called her husband away,
and Marion was sent to spend the sum-
mer with an old friend of hers on Wash
ington heights"
Here was parallel case to my own,
SO 1 listened, if possible, the more in
tently.
"New York in those days was not the
city it now is, and journey to Wash
ington heights involved as much prepar-
alton as trip to Lake George does now.
So, after taking an affectionate leave of
her husband, Marion was bumped along
in numbering old stage-coach to the
residence of Mrs. Van Dusen. Clara
Van Dusen, who had been one of
Marion's bridesmaids, received her with
open arms, and, perhaps, it would be
difficult to say who was the happier of
the two. The first evening was spent
as is usual in such cases when two young
girls meet-for indeed they were nothing
else-after q long separation. Clara
showed Marion all her new dresses and
knick-knacks, and Marion unpacked her
trunks for the edifcation of CLARA"
"The next morning, Clara, on entering
Marion's room to announce breakfast,
said, carelessly: 'Oh, Marion, I forgot
to tell you last night that Mr.. Clarence
Arlington is staying here. He is the
son of an old friend of my fathers. I
have been plaguing him about you, and
have told him he mustn't lose his heart. ;
What nonsense Marion answered,
laughing; a man doesn't lose his heart
to married woman" .-..
My heart beat violently.
Nothing more was said on the SUBJ
iecU; but at the breakfast table Marion
was introduced to Mr.. Clarence Airing
ton by Clara, who simply said, while a
roguish twinkle beamed in her eyes
This is my dear friend, Mr.. Arlington,
Marion Orme.' All women like admira-
tion, and Marion could see before the
meal was finished that Mr.. Arlington
admired her. He paid her the most de-
voted attention, and before week was
over he became her most constant at
tendant."
$50 like, so like" I thought.
Mr.. Arlington was to leave few
days after Marion's arrival, but on one
pretext or another he prolonged his stay.
To do Marion justice, it must be said
that she did not court his attentions;
but they were rendered SO gracefully,
and with such an air of polite difference,
that she thought no possible harm OF
receiving them. Clara would often joke
Marion upon MIR. Arlington's devotion,
as she called it; but with some light
hearted jest Marion would parry the
thrust, and continue receiving the hon.