The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-08-17


$ "They appear to get along together, he an
his wife. She's very pretty woman. no on
can deny that, and he seems proud of hi
choice, so why not relenty If don't care
why should you"
Then the lightnings of her wrath struc
terror to his soul. Instead of the slender
sweet faced girl, attired in his own fayort
color, n blue gingham. her eyes matching it,
azure, her lips provoking dimples whenever
they moved, stood Fury, her hands clenched
her gances fire, her lips white with wrath.
He to talk in that way to her enemy, who
, had worked the ruin of her life! He to eX
cuse her brothers miserable sin that was TIN
way she put ito find any words of praise
for the shameless girl, whose own family haC
disowned her. He of all others whom she
had loved and honored to insult her by u
sion to one who had changed the whole cur.
rent of her nature and doomed her to II cheer
less future.
row. She never forgot his last words, spoken
as he STOOD hat in hand, on the threshold OF
the door. "When you can forgive" he said
in his quiet, even tones-and he had never in
her despairing eyes looked so handsome-'I
will claim my own. Now, don't know you
IIulda An evil spirit holds possession of the
woman ! have loved so dearly. You have
been the light of my very life for two years.
/ shall always love you, but it will be Il love
mingled with fear.'
Then when she was alone and felt that she
had lost him, her agony was intoerable. Bit
ter days and troubled nights were hers for
long and weary months; but forgive Dan for
marrying that miserable creature? Never
Did all these things pass through her mind
as she stood looking at the pile of rocks? Per-
haps, for the picture of that last Interview
was always with her. She had never seen
Lishe since, and only few days ago she had
heard that he was engaged to be married:
I IL Had
him.
Hulda went on with the preparations for
her dinner, which, it is needless to say, she
had not much appetite for. In vain she strove
to busy herself with her usual engagements.
Nothing suited her or lent itself to her re-
quirements. Her thoughts obstinately fol-
lowed the bent of her Imagination, and that
was down at Dickson Corners. How drearily
the day passed. Was that woman dead? she
wondered. How was it possible for her to
live with broken back? And yet she had
heard of such marvels. Well, Dan should
not want for money. She would send it to
him whether he asked her for it or not.
hands! How tasteless were her meals With
many sigh she prepared for rest.
Morning brought no consolation. Head and
heart ached alike. While doing up her hair, still
brown and abundant in its slken coils, she
was startled at the deepened lines in her face.
For the first time in her life came the dread
that comes to every woman once, if not
oftener, of growing old OF course all the
hope that had made her life beautiful had
vanished, but still she was a woman, and at
her best very womanly woman.
She had not yet gone down stairs when she
heard some one knocking. Again and again
it sounded-a quick, impatient rap. Hurry
sudden apprehension that her brother had
sent for her.
A little girl, her face beyond all beauty
beautiful, stood ON the doorstep. Hulda had
never seen her before, and yet her face was
revelation. Over the small gray scarf about
her neck noated curls of color so golden that
they seemed to have borrowed their lustre
from the sun itself. A troubled but engaging
smile beamed from the small face, bringing
deep dimples into play. Pure, contidng, in
nocent, lovely beyond the power of language
to describe, she looked up in Hulda's face.
"Who are you" faltered the pale woman;
stepping back space, for the girl pressed
forward.
81 think you are my Aunt Hulda,' was the
reply, with confiding smile.
81 have come toto see you,' she added,
simply.
have got up before candle light, to walk that
distance" she said.
''No, indeed, l started last night to 60 to
Mrs. Hale, the nurse; father sent for her. She
WOuIunu IeU lie 20 Dtck WITH ner because III
was late and was tired. so / stayed there
all night. This morning | thought l would
try to find you and tell you all about our
trouble. You are my fathers own sister
aren't your'
Eyes" Hulda answered, alphabetically.
''Come in. Sit down, and I'll get breakfast
You must be hungry. Take your bonnet off,
child. SO there is trouble at homer
Ion, dear, yes" and ..r the pref pretty, piping
-, lev old
and it cries and cries. Mother she can't do
anything because"-the child's voice trembled
-"she's hurt in the back. and we're most
afraid she won't live. And papa has to give
up his school and walk the baby all day and
all night. And 'spect he had to undress the
SO many of them she added in an old-fash.
Toned, womanly way. but then, we're all
very fond of 'em. Poor papa, he does try so
hard. but everything goes againts him. Moth
err, when she was up, tried to keep him cheer,
full, and told me always to be bright and
happy before him, cause I'm the oldest, you |
know. My mothers good woman and the
child's words ended in II sob.
The tears began to run over Hulda's cheeks,
but she kept her face away. Her brother,
the delicate, gentlemanly man he had always
been, weighted with poverty and hampered
with children. That was the way she looked |
at it. But presently the child's sobbings over
came her. Blessed be the ministration of
pure childhood.
"Who told you to come herey' asked Hulda,
as she brewed the tea to keep herself from
yielding to the new impulses that thrOnged
upon her.
"Nobody. | knew you were my aunt.
Papa showed me your picture once. He keeps
it locked up in a little box, and once in
while he looks at it. ! guess he loves you;
don't you think he does! and-sO-I-wanted
to tell you our trouble. I'm ten years old. and
never saw You before. Are you angry with
my father"
Hulda turned round, fell on one knee, and
held out both arms.
''Come here, child" she gasped, and there
hey were together, the child cuddled in HUI
las arms, Hulda herself swaying and sob
Ding.
1.-The cruel, cruel rocks!' she said to her.
elf, 'but not crueller nor harder than my
leart.'
Before noon of that day there was a trans
formation in Dan Bellair's little home. Every
hing was swept and garnished, and the baby
vas quiet, Dan himself sat and feasted his !
ired eyes on Hulda's TRANSPORTED face. She
lad always been his idol and grief for the loss ,
# her love had made him old before his time.
I was astonishing, the change that had come ;
lp0n Huda. She was sweetness itself to the
'ale creature who suffered SO bitterly: she
vas mother to the children. And when. :
months later, the broken woman, that woman :
moved feebly about the house, disfgured for {
life, Huda had her great farm wagon brought I
own, and, bundling them all in. drove from
he damp, unwholesome dwelling. where
here was scant room, to her own high. I
reeZy, upland home, and installed them all 7
here. {
Never was transformation more complete. v
+ more appreciated. Hulda wondered how
Eun