Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-09

of such beauty and culture as the Grey's.
But Mrs. Chlds, with an ordinary insight,
had noticed lsabel's words and ways and
had decided that truth was better and rarer
than either culture or accomplishments.
The next day, nothing was talked about
but the club. 1t sounded very attractive to
poor Jenny, and she had to separate herself
from her mate and fight her fierce battle
alone but never for moment did her stout
heart hesitate. All that evening her thoughts
wandered off 10 the girls. Her own home
seemed desolate. Her mother was called
out TO sick neighbor, and after the three
boys went to bed Jenny was alone with her
sewing and her thoughts. They must have
been hard and bitter, if we may Judge from
the tears that kept coming and dropping
upon her work, till at last the tired head
bowed down upon the table and great sobs
shook the girl for some minutes. After that
she felt calrner, and when the mother re-
turned, was able to tell the whole story.
The woman, stern and severe as she was,
had evidently found even greater strength
in her child than she had looked for. That
she bad not even asked her permission to go,
but had decided the matter alone, pleased
that mother greatly. But it was not pos
sible to Mrs. Childs to show her feelings,
and so poor Jenny never knew what pleas
ure she had brought to her mother. The
well-earned commentator that would have
cheered the young heart, was not given, only
the few short words, " You did just right,
Jenny"
But there was one person who not only
noticed the girls firmness, but saw also her
voluntary separation from the girls, her
struggle and triumph. 1t was Mr.. Edwards,
her teacher. He learned in some way, about
the club and her utter self-denial for the
sake of absolute truth. The next day he
drew her into conversation and threw in
wise and kind words of commentator that
consoled her much for past pain.
CHAPTER III.
Before another spring had blessed the
earth, this one little struggle for truth drew
down its own reward. A friend of Mr.. Ed
wards, man of wealth, lost his wife by
death. Restless and unhappy in his lonely
home, he resolved to find a companion for
his little daughter, and travel with them.
Writing to Mr.. Edwards for help in this
matter he said, Above all things she
must be honest and truthful" Mr.. Edwards
rejoiced that he knew of one so exactly de-
She was to have every advantage with the
daughter she Travelled with. So Mr. Ed
wards told Mrs Childs when he went to beg
for Jenny. For long time she listened
quietly, sadly, silently. Mr.. Edwards knew
the woman well, and knew her yea would
be yea, and her nay, nay, when her mind
was once made up. She listened to his elo-
quent praises of his friend, Mr.. Raymond,
and when she found his Christian character
was all she could wish for, she knew it
would be selfish to refuse such a chance,
and accepted with few words. Jenny was
quite overpowered with the news, and asked
MIR. Edwards very many questions about
the daughter Mary. She never questioned
their anticipated love for each other and was
filled with delightful anticpations. Only
when she thought of the long separation
from her mother and the dear little boys
did she feel sad.
Mary Raymond how sweet and signifi-
cant did the very name sound, when she
whispered it over and over to herself. She
who had never had sister was now to
adopt one. Will she be beautiful ?" thought
Jenny that night as she looked long and
earnestly into the glass, half-undressed, with
her long brown hair waving about her. Her
eyes were brown, never had she observed
them so scrutinizingly as tonight. 81 Won
der how do look, my eyes seem blank and
meaningless" she murmured to herself. 81
wonder if beautiful Mary Raymond can ever
love me !" and she gazed on at these staring,
expressionless eyes with disappointment.
And my nose" she added, that was al
ways and must ever remain pug, and
nothing but pug, and my mouth is too
big, oh dear oh dear p she cried, still look
ing steadily at that other face in the glass.
can never be pretty" she added, but there
is one sure thing, I-will-not-care," max
ing succession of determined mods to that
stern reflection.
But what looker-on could say there was
no beauty in that womanly little face 1t
was significant of force and strength, in
which lies much beauty. Even the nose
pug, if you like, added piquancy to the
changeful face, and the mouth, perhaps to
big, but unnoticed because barred by two
such rosy lips, and the whole expression
mellowed by the soft curves below. That
face in the glass was severe, demanding
something evidently not found. Those eyes
were hard, criticising, defiant. That nose
stood out alone in its deformity, aud the
mouth was opened only to denounce. The
soft, sweet lines about the face of Jenny
Childs were lost in its double, and a lie lay
between the two.
1t was soon vacation, and the time had
come for Jenny to leave. Mr.. Edwards was
to go with her to New York and visit his
friend for few days The good-byes were
said calmly, but not without tears from poor
Jenny, though she bravely drew down her
vail as the cars hurried off. Mr.. Edwards
interested her in the views east and west,
mountains coming into sight and going
again. She soon cheered up amid the new
scenes and the exhilarating pleasure her
ride gave her. She had never been as far
as New York before, and that night found
them in the midst of the city, in the luxu-
rious home Of the Raymonds, on Fifth Av.