The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-12-31

| quentIy repulsed that he was at last
obliged to withdraw, and he began to
pay attention to the next wealthiest girl
in the neighborhood.
1t was some weeks after this that. one
day "a gentleman, whom Laura had never
seen, called and wished to see Mrs.
Monroe. The interview lasted for some
time, and when Laura again saw her
aunt, there were traces OF tears on her
face.
'Taura," she said, "the gentleman
who called is lawyer from New York.
He came to inform me that every dollar
of your money, and all of mine that
your father invested so securely, as he
thought, is lost; nothing can be re-
claimed"
Mrs. Monroe had dreaded not little
to make this announcement to her neice.
But when she finished Laura only smiled
and said: "Well, Aunt Bel, can take
care of myself, and you still have the
little place at Springville; you can go
there and live"
'What will you do, my dear?"
81 con teach music. l have very
thorough knowledge of it. don't
doubt but that I will succeed 1 will
try, at least"
Preparations were Immediately made
for leaving the grand home. The little
place at Springville was fitted up and
made as comfortable as possible. Laura
had never been so helpful before. AAnt
Bel was daily surprised by the quiet de-
termination she displayed, and the
willingness she showed to accept the
situation as it was, and to make the best
Of things.
A letter had been sent to friend In
the city, asking her assistance in secur-
ing musio-scholars for Laurn, and a
week after they had taken possession of
their home an answer was received, say
ing that she had obtained three pupils,
who were ready to begin as soon as
Laura could take charge of them.
A few days after, one bright Septem-
Der morning, Laura stood on the plat
form at the depot, waiting for the train,
and by her side was Mrs. Monroe.
'Now, Aunt Bell" she said, Just be-
fore starting. 81 am going out into the
world to make my way if can. 1 shall
try my best to succeed; but If 1 fail, l
will come back to you. Goodbye" !"
And Aunt Bel held her to her heart for
o moment, too affected to speak, and
then, with faint, "God bless you'll" she
turned away.
Laura soon obtained more pupils, but
she found that working for ones living
is not an easy task, at best. Some OF
her scholars were dull, and others were
irritable and peevish.
And in some cases parents were exact
ing; but she was rapidly learning to
preserve her soul in patience, even un.
der the most trying circumstances.
But yet she was wearied at times by
the daily care and fret, and it was with
unspeakable delight that she looked for
ward to two weeks of unbroken rest at
Aunt Bells at Christmas-time. And, OH!
how delightful it was.
'I never enjoyed my old home as do
this!" she said one day, when she and
Mrs. Monroe were together in the little
sitting-room.
''Because you never needed the rest"
replied Aunt Bel. "a busy life carries
its own recompcnse to some extent
Appetite gives food relish, and weari-
ness gives to rest an exquisite flavor that
nothing else can"
At the end of the vacation Laura re-
turned, refreshed in body and mind, and
prepared to go steadily along till the
summer months would come and bring
another delightful change.
1t was one day about the end Of
January that Gerald Brown was hurry
ing on through the light snow that was
falling, and saw young girl just before
him also hulTying. Something in the
slight, girlish figure attracted his atten-
tion, when just as she turned to mount
the steps of house, he saw enough of
her profile to recognize his old acquaint-
ance, Laura Moore.
Not little surprised, he watched and
saw her take key from her pocket and
enter.
"She boards there" he thought
"What can have happened?"
That evening tho servant announced
to Laura that ga gen,leman-an old
friend-was in the parlor, and would like
to see her." Laura went down, wonder
ing who it could be, and was q ittle
abashed when she met Gerald.
"You are no doubt surprised to see
me-" he said, rs he greeted her cor
daily and asked her to be seated.
And then he told of seeing her that
afternoon, and how anxious he was to
meet her. "Are you staying with friends
here?" he inquired.
And Laura explained all the changes
that had taken place, and told him that
now she was teaching music.
at was the only thing that 1 could do;
and would not burden Aunt Bel with
the care of me, although she wished me
to remain with her."
Gerald listened with surprise to the
recital, and conld scarcely mako himself
believe that the quiet, lady-like girl be-
fore him was the same young miss, full
of petuiant willfulness, that he knew q
few months before
81 take it that you are very fond Of
music?" he said, after she had finished
telling her story.
81 love it dearly"
"Will you allow me to accompany Won
to tho opera of Les Huguenots' next
Thursday EVENING"" he asked.
Laura assented gladly. and on that
night was treated to the greatest pleasure
of her life. Gerald enjoyed the music,
but he enjoyed her delight more.
"Oh, it is grander than anything that
I ever conceived Of" she said, when. be.
tween the acts. she could bring herself
to speak.
During the remainder of the winter,
Gerald was frequently in her company;
and the admiration that he felt for her
the first evening that he saw her in the
city constantly increased.
The last quarter was just begun, when,
one evening, he sat again with her in
the parlor She had been speaking Of
the great pleasure she anticipated from
the coming vacation, when Gerald said,
in half-laughing way:
Laura, do you remember q remark
you made the last time visited your
Aunt Bei?"
Instantly the hot blood crimsoned
her face, and tears filed her eyes, as she
said:
"Oh, Gerald, how could you'll I did
not think you would ever speak of it
again"
"Laura, forgive me. wouldn't, IL j
n IL 4 -