St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1886-08-12

white robe, simple sash OF blue, and
ornaments of fair moss roses, she was
by far the most lovely creature in the
room.
AS she entered the great saloon,
blazing with light, her heart failed her.
"Shall love him as dearly 2" she
asked herself, "if / find he is ashamed
of meP / cannot bear the thought; but
should he overcome all conventional
notions, then 1 have a husband to be
honored, and then he shall be proud OF
his WIFE"
How she watched him as he present
ed her to one and another.
"Simple," whispered magnificent
girl, resplendent with diamonds, as
she curled her lips and passed by. The
observation neither escaped Helen nor
her husband. She looked at him and
he smiled a lovers smile, and only
drew her closer to his side. Many in
that brilliant gathering pitied poor
Fred, and wondered if he had martyr
ed himself on the shrine of Ignorance
and rusticity.
But no, o joy he seemed to love
her More as she chung to his arm tim
idly, his noble face expressing the
pride he truly felt; he looked as if he
would have swept back the scOrners
| with one motion of his hand, had one
ventured one wave too high on the
shore of his pride. He seemed to ex-
euse every look, every word, not in
strict conformity to etiquette, and Hell
ems heart beat high, and tears came
into her eyes when she felt how noble
heart she had won.
The young bride stood near her hus-
band talking in low tone, when a
new conner appeared. She was beau
tiful, slightly formed creature, with
naughty features. Ill-cOncealed scOrn
lurked in the brilliant eyes whenever
she glanced toward Helen. Once she
held sway over Fred, and hearing
whom he had married she fancied her
time had come.
'Do you suppose she knows any
thing 2" whispered a low voice near
by.
Helen's eyes sparkled her face
flushed Indignantly. She turned to
her husband and he was gOne-speak-
ing at little distance with friend.
ado you play, Mrs. Lane 2" she ask
ed. There was hooking tone in her
voice.
"a little" answered Helen, her
cheeks flushing.
"And sing 2"
ga little" was the half reply.
"Then do us a favor" exclaimed
Mrs. Somers, looking askance at her
companions.
"COme, will lead you to the instru-
ment."
Hank whose mastery tOuch In
eto hn1f word r.
rested, the cold ear and naughty head
were turned in listening surprise. Such
melody Such correct intOnations
Such breadth, depth and vigorous
touch Who is She? She plays like
an angel!
Again bark A voice rOlls-a flood
of melody, clear, powerful and passing
sweet. AstOnishment gives many
faint cheek deep scarlet. There is
deep silence, unbroken, and the silver
strain floats up:
Ave care 1 not for cold neglect,
Though tears unbidden start.
And scOrn is but bitter word
Save when it breaks the heart.
If one be true,
The world may careless be,
Since may only keep my love,
And tell my grief to thee.
"Glorious voice !" said Fred to his
friend, who, with the rest, had paused
to listen.
"WhO can She"
The words were suddenly arrested
on his lips. She turned from the piano
and the unknown was his wife
~ congratulate you, Fred" said the
young man by his side but he spoke
to marble. The color had left his
obaaly ha u,allya1 toward har
If he was speechless with amaze
ment, she was not so. A rich bloom
mantled her cheek, triumph made her
they flashed like diamonds. A crowd
gathered to compliment her. In a
graceful acknowledgment she blended
wit and humor.
elbow we'll she talks Who would
have thought itP He has found a
treasure" was whispered all around
the room.
Meanwhile Frederic Lane stood like
one enchanted, while his rustic wife
quoted books with perfect abandon,
this one, condemned that.
A sedate looking student lost him
self in a Latin quotation Helen smil-
ingly finished and she received a look
Vi olOquoHO OndHhS. DOuLuOCo, IOpdI-
tee, language rich with fancy and i'm
agery. fell from her beautiful lips, as
if they had received the touch of fairy
hand.
Still Frederic was by her side like
one in dream and pressed his hands
over his bewildered eyes to be sure of
his senses, when he saw her bending
a breathing vision of lOveliness over
the harp, her full arm leaning on the
golden strings, and heard again that
rich voice, now plaintive with some
pleasant memory, rise and fall in
sweet and sorrowful cadence.
"Tell me-" he said, when alone,
"what does this mean? 1 feel like one
awakened from a dream"
"Only country girl" said Helen,
then falling into her husbands arms,
she exclaimed, "FOrgive mel am
that little rustic that you would sooner
die than wed: Are you sorry that you
me 2"
"Sorry, my glorious wife But,
Helen, you could not deceive. Did
not understand you had never"
"Been at an academy" she broke in;
'never took a music lesson, never was
taught to sing all very true, and yet
am all you see me here, tonight,
myself and my own teacher; with la
Dor and diligence hope am worthy
TO be the wife of one so good and ex-
llted as find my husband to be-"