Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-09-07
SECRETS.

Violet Heath was an only daughter
and n belle. Pretty, highly accomplish
cd, and very sprightly withal, she reign.
cd supreme in Cliiton-tho pleasant
little country town where her father rc'
sided queen Of fashion, ~ well as queen
ofhearts. All tho young men admired her
and, as u natural consequence, all tho 70.
male population enyied and strovc to imi-
tate her. Whether her chief charm con-
sisted in her fair, dimpled face, or deep
blue eyes, looking like half-blown for.
get-mc- c-nots bathed in dew; or in her
golden, curling trcsses or mischicvous,
rosy mouth or in her half-tendcr, half
aunting air and manner, no ono could
say but it was generally agreed upon
that she was quite beauty.
Violet was uniformly kind to her
many suitors, making her denials, when
necessary, so sweetly that the rejected
ones felt almost as much favored rs the
accepted. And when Guy Hilliard
came to take charge of tho village
school, although he was n young man OF
fine appearance and excellent character,
it was u long while before tho village
beauty vouchsafed to him the least sign
of preference. But perseverance and
patience, MS they generally do, succeed
ed at last and, in due course of time,
one tender, moonlit eve, under II honey
sucklc arbor, in the old squire's garden,
the young man pleaded his cause in true
lover like fashion, and WAS transported
into third heaven of bliss by being ac-
cepted. The old squire made no OBJ.
jections, and, after proper lapse OF
time, tic young cosl 10 were united
amid bewildering profusion OF laces
and white flowers, and the poor, love-
lorn swains of Clifton were left to con-
sole themselves as they could.
Everybody was surprised to see what
loving, exemplary wife Violet made;
She had been so gay girl, so full OF
mischief, so petted and hattercd, that
some of the Clifton wiseacres shook their
heads, and limited that Guy Hilliard
might repent his bargain; but, on the
contrary he rejoiced over it anew every
day. regarding it the best transaction OF
| his life.
They had cosey little cottage on the
outskirts of the town, all embowered in
oglantine, with great shady trees, and a
flower garden in front; and the young
schoolmaster must have regarded it as
the sweetest, happiest spot on earth,
Judging from the briskness of his step
and the brightness of his face, as he re-
turned of evenings from his schoolhouse.
Violet was always at the gate to meet
him, robed in some pretty, fresh apparel,
her curls looped back with roses, and
her blue eyes full of tenderness, ready
to lead him to the tidy, well-ordered
parlor and waiting supper table. No
wonder Guy was happy-he would have
been a monster if he had not been so.
But after awhile, as if fortune was bent
upon running his cup over, something
else came to make him still happie..
A small, dimpled, Growing babe, with
eyes like its mother, and rings OF hail
that looked like spun gold. Violet was
in raptures, and Guy could scarcely wait
for night to come in his eagerness to gel
home. What happy couple, every one
said-even the wiseacres. in spite OF
their prophecies.
But there never was a paradise per
haps, that the serpent did not enter in
some form or otEer. 1t even came to
this perfect little home, trailing its
Shiny ugliness amid the blooming flow.
ors. 1t was after this wise: One even
ing Guy CHANGED to come home trifle
earlier than usual, and Violet and baby
were not at the gate to meet him, as were
their custom but he hurried on, eager
to surprise them by being early. Just
as he reached the outer inclosure of the
garden lie heard the cottage door open
and saw q mana real, living man
young, and very distinguished looking
come out and pause on the porch fol
a moment to talk with Violet-his Vic
lot. He saw her plainly laughing and
chatting and tossing her ringlets; and
then the stranger bowed himself out
and left the premises by the side path
"Don't fail to come" called Violet
after him ; 81 shall expect you"
Guy Hilliard looked on in amazement
Violet was dressed-as he had nevel
seen her before-in magnificent new
silk robe, all covered with laces and 70
seJ. What did it mean? Who wa,
that man she urged to come again sc
cordially? A sharp, swift pang of jeal
ousy and mistrust wrung his heart
mistrust of the woman he held a thou.
sand times dearer than his own life !; ant
he hurried on to the cottage, his brow
for the first time since his marriage
looking lowering and moody. viole
wac nowhere to be seen below, 10 he wen
up to her chamber. The door was clos
ed, but he heard the babe wailing with
in.
"yioletl Violet !" he called.