The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1891-09-25

Rosalie looked back as the gay new
carriage from the railroad town rolled
away from the old mill. Bright tears
were in her eyes and a worried look in
her face. The parting had been hard
one. Her mother had gone into the mill
to cry alone, Colonel Chenier and AIDE
.aide stood near the broken stone wall
striving to look cheerful, There was
the messy big wheel, dripping and cool
The mulberry tree WIS dusky with its
mature June foliage A genuine south
ern drowsiness was in the air. On the
line of mountains in the west some
slanting cloud lines rested, half con-
cealed in a fine gray blue haze. AS the
mill receded with the going of the car
riage Rosalie felt as if the world itself
were quietly with9 Sawing. she felt
also a dizziness as VI she were soaring
away into distance. Her father and
sister seemed to waver and fade out
from her vision The little valley drew
it's lines together, shriveled and dry
After few crooked miles along tho
stream their road suddenly turned
boldly into the foothills, and soon began
zigzagging its way up the mountain to-
ward which they had been going.
At stony bluff where spring gushed
out, the driver stopped to water his
horses in an old messy bucket, or rather
one-handled piggin. All around the
wood was dense and silent. 1t was
lonely spot where one might imagine
robbers lying in wait. But the gray
lizards were the only lurking things dis
covered? A crested vireo now and then
sent it's shrill note through the silence
~ shall be glad when we are once in
the car and well started" said Aunt Mar
guerite, looking doubtfully about and
signing as one who is bored.
Rosalie did not respond. She watched
the horses drink, with long Kissing sips,
the pure cold water, her eyes full of
quivering tears
A sharp clacking on the stony road
above them announced the coming of
one who soon appeared around the first
short turn. It was young Ellis on his
superb gray steed. He rode directly to
the carriage, where he drew rein, and
lifting his broad hat, bowed to his sad
die pommel .....
"Good morning." he said, then glanced
frora Aunt Marguerite to
Resale and back again, an unpleasant
look of suspicion beginning to cloud his
face "You look like travellers | hope
you don't mean to desert the mill, Miss
Chenier?'
Il am going home with Aunt Margue-
rite" she replied, her voice shaking a
little.
Ellis compressed his lips and stroked
his horses name. There was knot of
between his eyebrows.
"You don't mean to stay long, hope?
he rejoined, fixing his eyes searchingly
upon her and measuring her graceful
figure, so perfectly shown by the gray
travelling dress.
The driver had remounted to his seat,
out sat respectfully waiting for the con-
to end.
81 don't know how long may stay
she half sobbed; "aunt wants Inc to stay
always"
"Always!" he echoed.
"She is to be my daughter from this
line on, said Marguerite Chenier Roose-
Telt, coldly and decidedly, as if to end
he matter at once. "Drive on" she add !
ID to the colored boy.
Ellis lifted his hat again, but there was
. terrible look in his eyes as they scowled
1t the old lady.
The carriage proceeded.
"Goodby-remember me-" he said to
2osalie. His voice reached her ear softly,
weetly, and his words caught in her
and fingered like some bit of
weet, sad tune.
"Goodby-remember me-" she quav-
red back to him, and then a great hum
ming filled her ears and her heart seemed
0 stand still.
When they drove into the village
there Mr.. Roosevelt was to meet them
nth his private car, it was far on toward
DON. The streets were almost deserted,
nd the new white buildings. erected
mid the debris of the old town Sher. :.
ian had destroyed. glared fiercely in the
might
To be Continued.