Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-02-16
Written for the Waterman q journal.
The Story OF a Hearted Concluded.)

if my great new-found happiness made m
forget my duty that deserved to lose il
So with a great effort put away the long
ing to stay and went home.
at will not be many months, hope, err
you will return-to stay with me always,
whispered Aunt Beatrice as we parted.
did not promise, for as yet could no
see my way clear to any change in my life
Mabel had been my first thought always anC
/ felt that my promise to her dead mother
was still binding on me. Aunt Beatrice
had told me that our home must be witt
her; that Albert had long ago promised hel
to be her support and comfort while she
lived, and me she loved as a daughter, ant
Mabel should be welcome for my sake. But
knew better than my aunt could guess how
tiresome my sisters childish exuberance Of
spirits would prove to an invalid like my aunt
And did not feel quite sure of Albert he
had never seen her, and though doubted
not that he would love her as he would love
and pet kitten, yet l doubted if his
thoughtful, grave nature would always make
due allowance for her childishness. l fell
that /. could run no risks when the happi
ness of those SO dear to me was at stake, SO
nothing was decided as yet. Albert was to
come to Woodville in September, and when
he had seen my sister hattered myself that
l could soon tell whether she would try his
patience too severely.
My old nurse was overjoyed at my return,
and blessed me hundred times for my good
ness to worthless old creature like her, till
felt like criminal for being so selfish as
to stay so long away when she was in need
Of care. Mabel came back to me in early
September, more radiant and blooming than
ever, but not whit less childish she was
as gay and thoughtless as a butterfly and far
more beautiful. The promise of her child
hood was far more than realized, and as l
think of her as she stood before methat Sep
TENDER morning, believe she was the love-
lest vision my eyes ever rested upon.
"He will, he must be lenient to your
faults my darling" said to myself as I
thought of Albert who was coming to us
next week.
How longed for his coming, yet a ner-
Sous dread tormented me, that / could
neither rid myself Of nor account for.
He came, and we had spent blissful hour
together when Mabel came dancing in
from the garden, her hands full of flowers
herself the fairest flower.
Remember she is but child yet, and
be patient with her frivolous ways" whis-
pered.
"Can such perfect being be supposed
to have faults ?" he returned, as she came
into the room. Ipresented her to the grave,
handsome stranger, whom she had feared to
meet, but there was no need for her fears or
mine. He was greatly struck by her beauty,
/ saw at once; but SO were all strangers.
She wore some kind of light, floating, mus
lin drapery so becoming to her kind of
beauty, and the bunch of forget-me-nots at
her bosom were not so blue as her eyes. Her
golden hair danced in ringlets all over her
head, and encircled it in an aureole of glory,
when the sunlight glinted over THROW,
cheek and lips were perfect in contour, and
her form was like sylph-this beautiful
Undine without soul, for she had not
found it yet but it would come to her one
day, was sure of that Not even her awe
Of Albert-for | suppose | had pictured him
to her as very grave, erudite gentleman
with great deal of dignity-could keep
the light-hearted Mabel quiet long, and she
was soon running and dancing over house
and garden, singing snatches of old songs,
and her voice was sweet as her face. Albert
watched her gay pranks with the amuse-
ment one often sees in thoughtful people
over the pranks of a pet kitten, often coax
ing and petting, seldom Gliding. They
soon grew to be the best of friends, and my
heart felt relieved of heavy load-the fear
that my best beloved might not suit each
other.
Oh, that beautiful, brief autumn How
my heart throbs with the remembrance OF
the bliss of those golden days. Many and
varied were the rambles we took-we three
down by Roaring Brook, up through Pine
Glen, over the hills, and through the wood
bright and gorgeous with the many-hued
robe that autumn weaves and the sails We
had on the pond in the warm afternoons
But was not always at liberty for these
rambles that | loved as well as Albert, fol
Hetty was not yet able to resume her old
post in the household, and l was always a
careful Martha, and found many things 10
detain me. The first time sent them away
without me, Albert looked annoyed and al
most vexed, and it really was something o.
minor Importance that kept me at home
at least | have no doubt it seemed so I,
him. | felt little hurt by his Manner in
asmuch as | felt the deprivation of his SO
ciety l was quite sure as much as he did o
mine, yet did not deem it right to neglec
duty for pleasure. see now what a fata
mistake l made so careful of the tithes o
mint and cummin, while weightier matter
were overlooked. When they returned fror
their ramble, gaily decked with autumn
leaves that Mabel had placed in every col
venient receptacle. Albert was in his wonte
good humor, and /, tired and heated wit
toiling in the kitchen and preservin
ounces, was glad to see that my absenc
had not spoiled his pleasure, though to
weary to entertain him as ! was wont TO do
but Mabel was never too weary. Why shout
she BET always did everything for he
and she had nothing to do but to amuse an
be amused.
| watched the growing affection betwee
Albert and my sister with no jealous ey
but with pleasure, for when | trusted
trusted wholly. Had he not vowed that
was dearer to him than all other women
/ believed him then, believe him no,
But | had yet to learn that mans nature
many-sided.
Time flew on rapid wings, and Albert vi
TO return home on the morrow We we
out in the little boat for one more sail {
the little lakelet, which we dignifed by II
name of Silver lake. Mabel was in hil
spirits, frolicking and singing snatches
gay songs, trailing her white hand and al
in the water beside the boat.
81 am going to catch some fishes" s
laughed gleefully.
"If you lean over the boat in that wa