Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-12-24

will all be next New Yeartn
"On Murray Hill, " answered Nina.
But that was a mistake; it was many
years before we met on Murray Hill a
New Year's--in fact not till tonight
Nina wRs married in March; HildegarC
and were bridemaids. Hidegard
went to the city with her, while hel
sister came from Vermont to stay witt
me-
In November Hildegard was married
to a rather gay young millionaire, who
had just come into his money, and wen
to Europe for wedding tour. The next
! New Year eve grandma was not well, SC
did not visit Nina, and Hlldegard was
still abroad Harry spent the watch
with me, and talked about her--pool
fellow, I felt very sorry for him, espec-
tally when he said IF father had not
sent me to college, I should have been
better contented to remain upon the
farm, for then | should have had no
hopes of Hildegard Yet, when mother
died, she asked my promise never to
leave father. and gave it."
After grandma died, went to New
York to teach, and there met a young
journalist, and married him. We were
not burdened with untold wealth, but
we loved each other dearly, and con-
cluded to take the chances about getting
along, which childlike simplicity we
have neve, had cause to regret. His
business led him hither and thither,
and in every move l have accom- panied
him.
| Last summer we went to San Francis
co; there l visited my mother. We
heard great deal of prominent jour.
nalist who had come there q rich man,
and multiplied his fortune so many
times that all feminine Frisco was now
pulling caps for him. He was presented
| at mammals salon one evening. Imag-
inc my astonishment, when this golden
man was presented to me, to behold in
! him Harry Fenton In the course Of Il
| tetc-a-tete conversation, he told me that
/ his father had dieQ, leaving him alone
/ in the world. Unable to endure life on
the land that had deprived him of his
| dearest hope he sold it, aid, taking the
/ proceeds, started on tour-much after
/ the manner of Jean Paul's herOes--tinally
reaching the Pacific coast, where he
rested. Then he importuned me for
news of the friends had left. Of Hide
/ gard, | told that she had remained
( abroad five years. At the expiration
| of that time her husband had died in
! Arabia, leaving her widow with two
children She came home at once, bring
! inc the two little ones and her husbands
/ body. The undertaking was an immense
one, and, on reaching New York, she
/ succumbed to severe illness, through
which Nina had nursed her, and with
whom she had remained ever since.
Here Harry asked me when we Were
going east.
had lust received letter from Nina,
| begging me to come home in time to re-
ceive New Years calls with her, and
reminding me that we had not all held
the watch together since that night so
memorable to her. handed the letter
to Harry, saying, I'VE will go on
Tuesday"
Il will 60 too," said he, decidedly.
( I Cnly needed one look into his eyes TO
know his purpose.
Go with u.s." said |,
Probably | will, D." replied he; "but |
will see you again, and bidding mamma
/ good-by, he was gone.
/ On Tuesday, as we We're starting, a
telegram came from Harry saying that
he could not leave, but adding that be
certainly would keep watch with us on
New Years eve.
When we were fairly at home, | told
Nina, and we both concluded that it was
best not to mention anything about him
to Hildegard, lest something unforeseen
should cause disappointment.
On New Years eve we talked of girl.
hoods days and doings 1t had been
fifteen years since we had held out
mountain watch. Nina and | were de.
cidedly nervous, no word having come
of Harry's arriving Hildegard seemed
depressed. About eleven o'clock, Adele,
her husband, and papa, came in to hell
Us watch; SO At quarter of twelve
o'clock we TO- med quite party. At ter
minutes of twelve Mr.. Fmquhar threw
back the stained glass doors that closed
off the third room, and, seating himsel
before the organ, said he would play the
doxology; we all followed, and, rang
ing ourselves in IA circle, awaited the
striking of the hour. Hildegard alone
was not Of the number; she had beer
standing in oneof the windows, evident
ly wtapped in thought,
Amidst light,laIEng snow slcigt
dashed up to the door, and a gentleman
leaped out. The porter had the door
open by the time the visitor reached tn,
steps The transit from tue sleigh tC
the parlor had not taken more than ;
minute, and Hildegard, surprised out o
action, had only turned and faced tn,
door. Her whole countenance mus
have told how thankful she was to Sc,
Harry again, for in an instant he EN-
braced her right heartily. Then we al
came forward to extend II welcome
L Il l. -