Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-02-16
IAGAR.


HAGAR.
a story OF the ola south.
The last rays of an October sun shot level
rays OF light, and mirrored them in gold in
the windows of brick mansion in one Of
the southern states The peculiar architect
ure OF the house, with its solid masonry and
gable windows, indicated its original proprie-
tor as one who had brought his ideas of home
comfort from a more Ungenial climate than
the one in which he had cast his lot. 1t
loomed up stiff and repelant against back
ground of magnificent forest trees not even
the ivy clambering over the chimneys, nor
the princes feathers aud holyhocks fauut.
ing around the door step, could modify the
severity of its outlines. The belated stran-
ger drawing his rein before the gate, after a
second look at the grim exterior, would put
spurs to his jaded steed and seek refuge in
less pretentious but more hospllable house
Ghostly memories peered from the broad
window lodges, or nodded from antiquated
portraits, or echoed on the wide staircase
Many sorrowful tale was told by the neigh
boring gossip, Of the stately danes who had
presided in It's halls, for falthle,s in love- and
treacherous in friendship, was the tradition
of the De Claucys The generous. true.
hearted planters sorrowed not that there was
left only one representative Of this alien line
On the evening in which my story opens
evidently an attempt had been made to give
festive appearance to the gloomy mansion,
for the doors stood wide open, scs drlperies
futtered at the open Windows. and rare ex-
otics from the large conservatory frightened
with bloom aud perfume the lofty hall
small boy with flashing black eyes and proud
ly curved lips, sat on the doorstep fondIing
a detected looking cur. His rich dress be
tokened the child Of wealth but there was
an indehnable something in his attitude and
expression which contrddicted this opinion.
1t might have been that the bright blood
which mantled his cheek left unstained the
clear olive of his broad brow. or the hand
caressing the shabby pet did it with
thoughtful tenderness that could only spring
from fellow feeling woman with won
drous dark eyes aud the bearing of an EN-.
press looked fondly upon the child as she
leaned careles-ly against the door yet ever
and anon a frown would mar the classic beau.
ty of her face, as if, watching for some one,
she would turn to look down the long car
riage drive. The voluptuous grace Of her
figure, the crinkling blackness of her abun.
dant tresses aud the pecliar hue of her COM
plexion marked her at once as belonging to
that unfortunate mongrel strain called quad
room, the pariah class OF the South. The
last rays of twilight had faded from the west
ern sky, when the wheels Of a carriage were
heard on the grayeled road.
Mamma! mamma" exclaimed the boy,
springing from his seat and covering near
the woman-'I hear the carriage. He's
coming"
Didn't l tell You never to call me that
again. she said pushing him rudely from
her. Your mother is dead-Pm only your
nanny"
The boy gave her look of mingled re-
proof and inquiry, aud bent to cares5 the
dog that whjned at his feet.
Tue carriage stopped in front Of the steps,
and from it sprang a man whose age could
not be nearly guessed, for the countless lines
that dissipation had craven upon his hand
some face. He assisted a lady from the car
riage and turned to accost the boy -
Carl, can't you come and speak to this la
dy ! She's the new mamma l was telling
you about
The lamplight, falling full on the lady's
face, revealed tears in the blue eyes now
turned to her husband, as she said timidly,
II did not know"
"Of course you didn't know" replied he
curtly, to her unspoken thought "how in
the devil were you to know that / was not
the gay young gallant that personated, but
miserable benedict wearing the willo for
my deceased spouse, and this young olive
branch was left as the only token of my con-
jugal felicity But you know, now, cara
mia, the skeleton in our closet, and wen
have no other secrets in our happy house
hold"
With sinister smile wreathing his lips he
turned to kiss her, but she drew up her girl
ish figure with touch of disdain that &C.
corded well with her pale high. bred face
He looked at her critically for a moment. 1t
was much as if the fierce wild spirit of an
eagle had transferred itself into the body of
a gentle dove.
My lady fair, l am rejoced to sec, has
the ornament of meek and quiet spirit,
with which the women of old adorned their
persons. / can almost fancy myself one of
the ancient patrarchs in the possession of
such jewel. By the way, Hagar," he
continued sharply, "this is your mistress /;
show her to her room"
There was touch of appeal for womanly
tenderness in the face of the mistress turned
to the waiting woman. But at sight of the
countenance, youthful ~ her own and far
more regally beautiful, a horrible suspicion
took possession of her soul. Entering her
room, she dismissed her attendant, and threw
herself upon her couch to wrestle with her
wounded spirit. The room was large and
feebly Illuminated by the wax candle which
Hagar had placed near the window. The
furniture was dark mahogany, heavy and an
tque the dTaperies thick wooden stutfs, in
which lurked weird shadows rs they were
blown to aud fro by the evening breeze
This then was the happy home. coming which
her lover had pictured in such glowing colors
To b met on the threshold of her new life
with what her woman's intuition told her wat
some unhallowed mystery. The chivalrous
tenderness which had wooed her from the
home nest all gone, and his first word under
their roof tree rude retOrt, showing him in
his true character of churlish Nabal. Oh
the exceeding bitterness of that hours com
munion with her own heart She had the
right to complain to none for father, mother
brother and sister had pleaded in vain witt
her to relinquish her mad infatuation, aDo
not barter their love, tried and true, for the
specious promises of a stranger. So she
must even accept her lot and hide her grief
with Spartan frmness. She had been proud
OF the beauty and grace which had made hei
the bright particular star wherever she moved
yet now as she thought of companions, les
liberally lowered, reignng happy wives il
good mems homes, she almost cursed the day
in which she had been born. Yet she press
ed her hands together and vowed to make nc
moan over the grave of her murdered happi
ness.
As the months rolled round, the love-ligh
died out of her eyes, and the brightness o
youth faded from her cheek and were re
placed by no sweet bloom of womanly con
tent so the few kind neighbors, who, il
spite of her naughty ways, still visited her
knew that the oft-repeated tragedy was beinl
enacted in the stately mansion. Days woulC
pass and Hugh De Clancy would never ente
his wifes apartment or give her kindl,
word. He had at first made quite dsplA
of affection for Carl, fanoying it would tor
ment her, but as she grew fonder of the bo
each day he neglected him altogether. Their
was little eonRenialitY betWeen father an