The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1891-06-18
Hshes, Of all in Lesvrnne Powell Govt Report Aug III 1885,
Roe! q! Bssi9g BsM5:g3!
ABSOLUTELY PURE
A POINT OF HONOR.

physical pain. But 1t would have scarce
ly seemed possible that one hour could
have made beautiful. blooming face 20
psllid and desthliks " that of I-aurs Gar
diner became 10 that brief time one jane
morning, when all nature was 10 jubilspt
mood.
Shewss yonng not more than twenty
and bad been julius GARDENERS wife q
little more than one year. They had been
married at time when the firm employ.
ing julius had wished him TO undertake q
prolonged Southern and Western trip TO
collect outstanding debts, and the young
couple had made this business errsnd their
wedding trip.
Early in March they had returned to
their home, and few weeks later . wee
blossom had come TO bind the parents
hearts in yet closer bonds Of mutual love,
little daughter they named for lssurs's
long dead mother. Bertha
After the baby came to gladden. her.
lsaurs found her time SO filled with mater
nal csresthst she had never avsiled berseli
Of her husbands permission to explore
the old homestead until the June morning
already mentioned.
1t was very large, rambling old coun,
try house. the legacy OF three generations
OF GARDENERS, TO the last survivor Julius.
aud Isaura was sure that it was filed with
treasures OF past occupants. though its
owner laughingly assured her that he was
quite sure she would nnd but little to re.
ward the thorough ransacking she threat
eDed TO mskA
When she was first engaged to Julius
Gardiner, lsaura bad thought abe would
bring him fortune equal to his own pa
trimony She had been from infancy the
supposed heiress Of maiden aunt, who
had moderate income under her own en-
tire control and no heir but her niece. But
from some unexplained freak, the venera
BILE maiden, upon her death. h.bed, left her
home and money TO found an asylum, be
slowing upon her niece her clothing and
jewelry, the one much the worse for
use, the other Of but triAing value.
Issurs had been sorely disappointed,
but Julius had laughed at the long face,
assuring her he bad ample means for both
his private fortune and large salary com
bining to make handsome Income. So
Isaurs had forgotten the temporary trou
BILE very quickly.
On the June day, already referred to,
she hsd at last explored some OF the long
closed rooms, and entered one early in the
forenoon, her face bright ss the June sun,
shine pouring in at the open windows. her
cheeks rivsling the blush roses clam bering
over the vide porch roof to nod at her,
her eyes as clear and blue Is the lsummer
skies srching over the old homestead.
In one brief hour she came out again.
But the pretty pink flush was gons from
her cheeks; leaving them as white ss new
fallen snow. her eyes we're heavy and dull
~ lead, gsziDg vacsntly forward with an
expression OF utter misery; her step was
slow and feeble, Is she trembled rs il IN
able TO support her own weight. She seem
ed to have aged years in that one hour
Of anguish passed in the room entered
with such light step aud happy heart.
Slowly she went to her own room Baby
Bertha Icy in her dainty cradle sleeping
profoundly in morning nap, and The
young mother. sinking upon her knees
beside her, found some relief from her
agony in passion OF tears and sobs' Again
and again her husbands name mingled
with the means wrung from her quiveripg
lips, til the violence Of her grief wskened
the slee ping child, who broke into wailiDs
cries. For moment the mother forgot
her own grief, ss she sootbed the little
one With all loves tender caresses, kissing |
the velvet cheek. and whispering soft
words Of sfiection
But when the child lay guieted In her
arms, the shadows fell again over lsaura's
face; and her tears dropped fast npon the
little lace nestled sgsinst her bosom. The
burden OF grief was not lifted. though the
first Wild psroI,sm Was over lssura Gard
iner was . fair somsp. tall but slight. and
possessing much beaniy,c purely blonde
type. ripping. golden hsir aud blue eyes.
with soft, delicste compl, xion. Her dis
position vas gentle and Loving 10 remark |
able degree. sni,ipg well the exquisite beau
ty OF face aud form
Ii is no eIsgserstion 10 say tba, she ac'
tusliy lived in bis Affections. snd these
we're centered absolutely In her husband |
aud child. Orpbsned when only ten years
old. she bad been under the guardianship
OF her sunt, passed from one bosrding
school TO smother. Spending her holidays
10 the care Of her teachers. nrless invited
TO visit fellow pupil.
II Twas durise such svisit 10 the village
ths, was 10 become ber future home that
he met Jalins Gardiner, sud her heart,
starving for sympathy aud conpsnionship
sprsng st once 10 answer biz warn svossl
OF deep. sincere love. She hsd never
known sha, IL was 10 receive such sdec
tion ss her lover gave her. aud she CRATE
tally reiurped IT Add 10 hsf love sbs bad
iOund only happiness. 1t wss Juliu. sho
hsd eonsoled her when hsf suns died. lesv
ing her alone 10 the world. Julius Who
had urged . speedy marriage. that be
might have the night to comieri and pro
,sc, bav Juiina vho Lad IA sdc 4 bridal Il