News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-01-15
TWO CHRISTMAS EYES.

lRht wedding, and attended by all Mrs.
John Marchmout's circle of friends. The
bride was daintily lovely in her rich,
white lace dress, her pearls and orange
blossoms, that suited well her tiny figure
and pure bio, DE- face. The bridegroom,
PALE. handsome man, many years older
than the bride, was grave, glancing often
anxiousy toward the stately hostess, as
if he feared some interruption of the
festivities.
But there was none. The splendid
supper was discussed, the light feet
muved to the music of band, the con-
gratulations were heartily uttered, and
10 one suspected that the hostess had
csflc;;-sFhen Heemer Allen and his fan
bride finally departed to take midnight
train for New York, to connect with tn,
next days European steamer.
Every guest had departed except two.
when Mrs. Marchmont, pale and weary,
turned from the last fareweIis to re-entel
the still brilliantly lighted parlors. The
two who waited still were her lawyer
and her dead husbands cousin, Ronald
Marchmont. The latter gentleman sh
greeted at once with stately courtesy.
81 thank you for granting my re-
quest, she said 'You have given mt
one pain less in leaving the only home
have known for thirty years. Mr.. Allen,
who knows all, has promised to keep all
painful revelations from Edna until she
returns home"
The old lawyer, looking keenly at th,
quietly dignifed woman who thus spoke.
said respectfully:
"Mrs. Marchmont, my sister wishes
me to invite you to be our guest for as
long as you may lind our quiet home
pleasant one. The same feeble health
that prevented her presence here to-
night, prevents her from giving the in
Vitation in person; but hope you will
accept her hospitality"
You are very kind but Igo to Barton
tomorrow. l have secured the position |
of assistant teacher there, in the Bar tor |
Seminary, and my duties commence af-
ter New Years Day. But have prom |
lsed to go to the seminary tomorrow |
Then MIR. Marchmont spoke in grave
voice:
81 hope you will take with you, Mrs
Marchmont, not only all of your person.
al possessions, but any article in tn,
house to which you attach an especia
value, either from association or othe
cause"
you are very kind u she answered
and after few words more the gentle
men took their leave. Already the ser
wants had closed in the handsome house
and retired, and alone Mrs. Marchmoni
went from room to room, taking leave OF
her old life.
Thirty years ago her husband had in
herited the house from his deceased
RnncLe. and had brought his bride there
large income inherited at the same
time he had left at his death to hi
widow For thirty years all this fair
home, this large income had been under
Mrs. MArchmont's absolute control.
Having g generous heart, she had saved
nothing, never deeming the income
could fail her.
She had adopted Elna Grey, the
child of an old schoolmate; had given
her every advantage her own child could
have claimed with warmest love. She
had been very happy when Edna gave
her whole heart to a man as noble and
true as she knew Hosmer Allen to be.
and had provided bountifully for grand
wedding. The trosseau was all gen
eroua, wealthy amt could provide, and
it was understood that E Ina would in
herit the Marchmont estate.
But just three days before the Christ
mas Eve set for the wedding day Ronald
Marchmont came to with newly
found will of the uncle who had en-
riched his cousin. Ronald Msrchmont |
had deeply offended this relative before
his death, and expected nothing better
than to be disinherited. But after be- |
ing securely h dden for thirty years |
later will than the one disinheriting |
him had been found, giving him all
the estate.
He came to l., told his tidings to |
Mr.. Allison, Mrs. Marchmont's lawyer,
and proved his identity and claim to the
property. And Mrs. Marchmont, hid
ing her own pain, only pleaded for a
little delay until Edna should be far
away from the knowledge of the cruel
news. She told Hosmer Allen all, but
his love was not founded upon the
rumored inheritance of his promised
bride, and he willingly consented to
keep the news from her.
So. with ber usual serene face, Mrs.
Msrehnont had concluded her prepar-
ations for the wedding, while she, at the
same time, applied herself to the novel
task of seeking employment. 1t seemed
to her a special Providence that the
vacancy at Barton Seminary was adver-
tised at that time, and she was pro-
toe1issiJ ss=s--z, : l--,- aonartad
to I'll the position OF assistant teacher.
In the early morning, with only her
clothing and personal effects packed in
two large trunks, Mrs. Marchmont left
her old home and turned her face to
Barton, village some twenty miles
from L..
A year later, about week before
Christmas a close hack drove rapidly
from the railway station at l., and
stopped before the house, which Mrs
Marchmont had left on the dreary De-
cernber day, when she entered upon her
new life. A little figure, clad in deepest
mourning, sprang from the hack, and
mounting the steps, rang the bell.
Again nnd again the resounding peal
echoed through the great house, but
there was no answer At last window
in the next house was raised, and a
ice said:
''There ia no one in that house. 1t is
for sale"
'rWhere is Mrs Marchment?" asked
the lady IN mourning.
'I cannot tell you But Mr. Allison
is agent for the sale of the house."
In q moment the little black -robed
figures was back at the hack door.
"Do you know where Mr.. Allison
lives on Elm street ?" she asked the
driver.
''Yes'm.
Drive there as quickly ss you can
1T is not yet nine o'clock; he may see
pc"