The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-04-06

an end, and in the strong suns of
April the girl imagined the country.
of which she had seen little, would be
beautiful. The parks and public gar
dens were already bright with emerald
turf and white wisteria. She had a
youthful love for such sights ; wide
old Oaklots would be scene of en-
chantment, she believed. She had
often heard her mother talk of the
bloom-white apple orchard, the fields
and brooks. She should have a de-
lightful summer, she was sure.
But at the last moment it turned
out that Mr.. Layton could not accom-
pany his daughter upon her journey,
and Syra's mother could not go, for
the two youngest boys were down
with measles but the letter was al
ready dispatched announcing Syras
speedy coming, so it was desirable that
she set forth at once, and the girl de-
clared she was not afraid to 90 alone
"There is no change of cars, my
girl" said her father, as he snatched
half an hour to see her aboard the
train. "Twill go right through and
be at Woodville before dark; Aunt
Dora will have carriage a. the depot,
or, if anything prevents, take the mail
team-a very commodious vehicle,
with civil driver, who will pass her
door on his way to the postoflce.
Now see what little woman you can
be-"
And with look of solicitude and a
word Of encouragement he was off,
and the cars rolled out of the depot,
taking SYRIA upon her journey.
She had every essential for her trip,
from her pretty travelling suit to a
well-packed lunch basket and book
for reading.
Ii was bright spring day, and SYRIA,
having had her ticket punched and re-
quested the conductor to notify her
when approaching Woodville, leaned
back in her seat with a feeling of en-
joyment.
She was naturally fearless, and en-
joyed the enterprise of her trip alone.
At noon she ate her lunch and com.
menced her book, which, diversified
with watching the change of passen-
gers, absorbed the afternoon. But
she was getting little tired when the
conductor, passing, said:
"Next stations Woodville, miss" "
SYRIA aroused herself and looked out
at the window lonely, gray fields and
no houses. Ten minutes later she
sprang out upon a platform station
and looked bewildered about her
The train ratified away the few
persons who had alighted with her dis
appeared, as if they had sunk into
the ground. There was not form in
sight upon the cherries spot but a
long, lank young man, who alighted
from an old wagon and approached
her.
"Be you Mrs. Smiths niece, eh
Well, then, I'll take you right up"
SYRIA had mechanically responded to
his question in the affirmative, but
when her uncouth escort would have
gallantly taken her hand to lead her to
the wagon she drew back.
"In that % she exclaimed, involun.
tarily. 81 never rode in such thing
in my life p
The young fellow looked from the
dainty girl to the mud-bespattered old
wagon, and answered.:
Reckon We didn't But that's what
yer aunt sent me in fur We, and
reckon yell have to 60 in it,"
For moment syria silently con
tended with her emotions. She had
expected her aunt in a comfortable
family carriage to. meet her. Such a
reception as this seem d little short OF
an insult. But she remembered that
she was quick-tempered and tired tt
4 control herself.
She certainly preferred to think NJ
Cflense was meant, and swallowing thu
rising in her throat she walked to thu
wagon and climbed in.
iii bet she don't expect the likes Of
you," remarked the young man, am
biguously, as he II oanted to seat be
side her and jerked the old lean hors
into motion.
SYRIA did not reply; she was busy
locking over the is nal landscape will
a sickening heart-barren fields, lie If
less trees, small, poor, scattered houses
half-hidden in the gathering gloom.
And was this the young man hel
father had jestingly alluded to at part
ing, warning Der to break no heart:
before he saw her again? She thought
not.
SYRIA had never felt so utterly mis-
cradle in her life as then, while sh'
logged along the lonely, darkening
muddy road replying in monosylla
bles to her companions chat.
els Aunt Dora well?"
"Eh?" sharply.
"Is my Aunt Dora as well a
usual?"
II reckon she is. Never heard he
called that before. However, l s'pos
she is. Law! she don't have no tim
to be sick. l guess you'll find tina
out" meaningly.
At length they drew up before low
, implanted, rambling farmhouse, will
shutter.ess windows, bleakly unshel
tered under the cheerless sky.
, SYRIA began to fear she should cry