Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-09-15

people, but IT WAS so sunny, so peaceful out
of doors that she loitered on the way home.
Even when she reached there she fingered
IN the garden TO gather few little flowers
and, on the piazza she stood for long
time, looking down to the quiet meadows.
with the river winding its way through
them.
At last, with sigh, she opened the door
and went in. Never had the house seemed
so large or 50 lonely to her as tonight.
and yet for many years she had lived there
alone.
The richest person in town. Ah. yes.
But many poorer was far happier
She sat down in her favorite seat at the
west window that overlooked the mea-
dows. and her thoughts went back many
years. This was her fortieth birthday
Dear me, once upon time that seemed so
old! Well, for that matter it did now, as
she thought of all these forty years had
brought her. not at all Whist she had i'm
agined they would in years gone by.
Half smiling to herself Miss Rachel went
over to the d-:ashioned secretary in the
corner, and took out a miniature, taken
when she WAS eighteen.
Dear, dearw she sighed softly. as she
glanced from the miniature 10 the refec-
ton Of her face in the glass opposite, "Who
would think it?n
How well she remembered when that
was taken. Life was Just opening before
her then, and she was full of anticipation.
Why should she not have been, for she
had health, beauty, talents and wealth;
surely with all these she had reason to
hope for much. She had been INDUCED in
every wish from her babyhood up, and as
she looked forward into her future, it
seemed to her she had only 10 decide upon
her course, and events and circumstances
would shape themselves TO her will She
meant to do and be as much. Not that
her hopes and aspirations were particular
ly philanthropic; they were instead, ambi-
tious. even worldly.
"lt is all well enough for those who like
it to settle down to quiet humdrum life, ."
she told Sieve Malcolm, "but | couldn't
and | do not think l was made 10. 0
Steve, don't ! wish could be some great
distinguished person, quoted by every
body, and looked up TO! And maybe
will be, too" she had added with laugh
"Of course you will" Steve always an,
swered promptly.
Such a queer friendship as hers and
Steve's had BEEN She, Judge Kings only
child; he. a poor orphan whose only friend
iu the world was poor Becky Sharp-Aunt
Becky be called her-who took him 10 out
of pity and shared her pittance with him.
From their earliest childhood Steve and
Rachel had been the best of friends. Ra-
chel had contided to him all her hopes,
plans and aspirations; in return with his
Steve had given her the deepest love Of his
heart, and day and night coveted opportu-
nifty TO distinguish himself in some way,
that he might win her love. As for Ra-
chel, tue thought of marrying Steve never
once entered her mind, though she liked
him heartily.
II wish, she had said to him once,
that you were going to be great doctor
or something and would come and make
love to me-
"Why?' he had asked her.
"Oh, because like you better than anv
one know, but then you'll never be any
thing but common sailor, possibly first
mate, unless can help you when I'm set
tied in life. won't forget you, Steve
If I'm the presidents wife you shall have
The highest Office he has to give"
And Steve had turned away from her in
utter silence, with dark look on his hand
some face. At last, one day,-twenty
years ago this very day-he had come to
her, his face all aglow. The desire of his
heart had been granted; he bad secured
place on board ship bound for China.
He told her all about it there on the knoll
under the chestnut tree where they had
talked over their future so many times.
And now, Rachie." he had said in con-
thing before 60. love you with all my
heart. l know I've nothing, ha said
quickly as be noted her look of vexed sur
prise, but I've an honest true heart, and
with your love to help and encourage me
I'm sure could do anything. Some. Of our
greatest men you know have risen from
lower than | am. Q Rschie, dear. will
you give me chance-won't GU wait for
me awhile at least?''
Two great tears dropped on the minia-
tured face as Miss Rachel recalled that
moment of her lie. How many times she
had wished she might live it over again!
40 Steve, can't promise that, really
can't
Steve Macom's wife seemed 50 utter
ly different from what she hoped to be.
Without a word more beyond cold ab-
rupt Good bye be had left her.
How plainly she remembered the days
that followed--dreamy days they were, for
she missed Steve more than she imagined
she should. She tried to divert herself
with her own plans for her approaching
travels, but somehow they had lost balf
. b,;r h r.,
over with. Still she hoped for much.
They were 10 90 abroad, she and her father,
and under the best masters she was TO
complete her education. Rare advantages
were TO be here. And" she said proudly
TO herself as she often had to Steve, Il
will take care they are not wasted" 1t
was better. she told herself, though per
haps little painful at first that she WAS
moi bound by any promise.
But on the very eve of their departure
her father had been stricken down with
paralysis She had unpacked their trunks
and settled down to long, quiet. shut in
life. For 10 years he had dlingered, help
less, suffering invalid. Ii was bitterly
hard for them both at first. He had re
beled at the hand that had smitten him
down in his prime, and she that the whole
tenor of her life was changed at the very
outset. of all her hopes and aspirations =
not one to be realized And though peace
full submition and comfort came into her
fathers heart. Rachel could not find rest
1t surely could not be loving Fathers
hand that shaped her life. Everything
was turned into mourning for her, her
every thought and plan thwarted.
She heard that Steve had been and gone.
They told her. too. that misfortune had
him wherever he had gone, and
her heart yearned to see him, for, in their
childish days neither had sorrow but the
other shared in.
1t was only after she had followed her
fathers tired out body TO its last resting
place, and was alone in the world, that, in
sheer despair, she came TO her Heavenly
Father for help. Thou hast taken away
everything else from me- she prayed, do
not turn away thyself also, but comfort
and help mer' Gradually, as the days
went by, there came into her troubled
heart a sense of peaceful resignation, and
a desire to do all in her power 10 lift the
load of care and sorrow from the hearts of
others. So at last her life, which she had
hoped so much for, came TO be one Of quiet