The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-01-23

nSnted TO see you tnat am 9iau you nnu
it in your heart to call so often"
A year had passed before another let
ter from the same author was written IN
der the roof of the Landor mansion; a
year which told no more upon the stout
old house than if it had been but single
day. Yet the appearance of affairs was
different, for there were many people
about, and every shutter and window
stood open to the sun.
"My dearest NJ, writes the young
correspondent, 81 am sure you will I'M
derstand and forgive my not having writ
ten you before, there has been so much
to do and l wanted time when l should
write to tell you everything. The funeral
was on Thursday. Poor pathetic little
Aunt Augusta
81 should have supposed that the re-
tainer and and few of the villagers
would be all who would attend the
funeral; but, on the contrary, relations
have turned up from cverywhere-cousins
fourteen times removed some whom |
had heard of, and others of whose exist
ence l had never dreamed, and they are
all stopping here, and they want every
thing they see. I have told them that
nothing can be distributed until mamma
comes; and although did not dare to
suggest it, I hope that F. will come with
her to fight for us if necessary.
'sYou never heard such hue and cry
as there was when l boldly announced
that intended selling the place. told
the cousins that if they felt so badly
about it, they were welcome, any one of
them, to buy it; but there were no bids.
They will take anything that they can
get for nothing they are perfect van
dals.
"Mr. Daniels, in whose hands l put
the business, tells me that he has already
had an offer-a farmer who remembered
me when was here before, and knew
the place in the days Of the old Squire.
So be it but, do you know--since l have
told you so much | may as well tell you
ALL hate to let it go. Still l must sell
it now or never, for trade in land is not
very brisk in this retired spot, and |
might go forever without another oppor-
tunity.
''F. writes me every day like the dear
est man in the world, as he is. And to
think that when was here year ago /
had not an idea of marrying him! |
should think | might have known, for
no one else ever seemed so good and
strong and bright shall never be as
blind to the symptoms in the case of any
one else as / was in my own. | wonder
if he would have liked this for summer
place? wonder if | have done wrong
in not consulting him2 Taking the
whole thing together, l am worried very
nearly to death. Uneasy lies the head
that wears an ancestral mansion!"
And again, a week later:
dearest M-Such doings! Mamma
and Frank arrived safely and the cousins
fourteen times removed have removed
themselves still further, and empty.
handed, followed by the retainer, who
had cried herself almost blind, pool
thing! | offered her home, but she
doesn't like me, and would have none Of
my offer. She has saved money, and
goes to live with convenient sister
somewhere. But l must tell you the
great, the astounding news.
''Mamma and Frank and Mr.. Daniels
conspired against me, and let me sell the
place, which l did with an inconsistency
heavy heart; and then, when had bee,
miserable enough, Frank told me that b;
had bought it back! He showed me tht
deed last night, and it is to be my wed
ding present. Since then we have done
nothing but plan repairs and improve
ments; and it is so delightful to see F
so happy, and mamma enjoying her own
that l am quite beside myself with joy
and as grateful as if had been saved
from drowning. l told Frank how diff
ferent everything had begun to seem t.
me already, and he said that he was moi
surprised, for all that the house wanted
was sunshine and fresh air, ant
that mamma was the sunshine
and he the fresh air. He fairl,
seemed to love the old furnitur,
and pictures, books and silver, ant
touches them as reverently as if they
were sacred. We shall do nothing in tn,
improvements to take from the character
- Al. H.. lS,,4 ..o,,-+b;n1x e. o1I - -.