Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-09-26
CHAPTER XXXV.
EXPLANATIONS.

en- victim to Mr.. Trohm's mania bu
was III X. alive and well. That Mr.
Gryce knew this at the time of showiu
her the telegram was apparent to III
and probably suspected by her, but IL,
words We're ever exchanged on the sub
ject, possibly because she was sool
made too happy by her lovers explana
ton to regret anything which had lee
up to this satisfying hour.
He, so it seems, had found it impos
slble to leave Lucetta. Upon issuing
from Lost Mans lane he had met Mr.
Gryce and learned enough from him O
the doubtful position in which tn,
knollys stood to make his stay seen
imperative even at the risk of loSina
the position upon which all the hopos
OF his future advancement depended
be had therefore staid, but quietly
and to degree i'll hiding, place having
been found for him by Mr. Gryce i'll q
remote cottage, where his presence at.
tracted no attention and awoke no COM
ment. That Mr.. Gryce had any ulteri-
or motive in this, regarding him as q
possible witness whose testimony might
be of value, | will not even suggest.
MIR. Gryce never neglccts it, but Mr.
Mr. Gryce understands his business and
Gryce has a heart, too, and that heart
has way of working even amid his
most urgent affairs III manner to bring
| light out of darkness as well for the
happiness of those concerned as for the
calculation of the mystery he has I'M
dertaken to clear.
The hour we all spent together late
that night i'll the old house was unlike
any hour which that place has seen for
years. Mr. Ostrander Lucetta, Lorcen,
William, Mr.. Gryce and myself all
were there, and as an especial grace
Saracen was allowed to enter, that there
might not be cloud upon a single face
there assembled. Though it is a small
matter, l will add that this dog per-
sisted in lying down by my side, not
yielding even to the wiles of his master,
whose amusement over this fact kept
him good natured to the last adieu.
There We're too few candles in the
house to make it bright, but Lucetta's
unearthly beauty, the peace i'll Loreen S
soft eyes, made us forget the somberness
of our surroundings and the meagernesS
of the entertainment Hannah attempted
to offer us 1t was the promise of com
ing JOY, and when our two guests de-
parted, | babe good night to the girls
in that grim upper hall it was with
feelings which found their best express
sion in the two letters | FASTENED to
write as soon as | gained the refuge OF
my own apartment. | will admit you
sufficiently into my confidence to let
YOU read those letters. The first OF them
read thus:
DEAR OLrvE-To make others happy is the
best way to forget ourselves. sudden wed
ding is to take place in this house Order at
once for me from the shops you know me TO
be in the habit of patron2ing wedding gown
of dainty white taifeta | did this not to le-
call too painfully to herself the wedding dress
helped her buy and which was, as you may
remember, of cream white satin with chiIlnh
trimmings and a wedding veil of tulle. Add
TO this "A dress suitable for ocean travel and
half dozen costumes adapted 10 southern ell
mate Let every thing be suitable for delicate
but spirited girl who has seen trouble, bnt
who is going to be happy now If little atteh
tiOu and money can make ItT So ~ i'' 7l'''i'
expense, vet show no extravaganza, for she IL
n shv bird, easily frightened The measure
ments Won will find inclosed; also those OF an
other Young lady her sister, who must also Dc
supplied with IA white dress, the material oi
which however, had better be of Grape.
All these things must be here by Wednesday
evening, my own best dress included On Sat
urday evening you may look for my return ]
shall bring the latter young lady with me, 20
your present loneliness will be made mp to you
by an agreeable guest. Faithfully yours,
AMELIA BurTERwoHln.
The second letter was Il longer anG
more important one. 1t was directed to
the president of the company which had
nroposed to send Mr.. Ostrander to South
America. In it | related enough of the
which had kept Mr
Ostrander in X. to interest him iii the
youpe couple personally, and then /
told him that if he would forgive Mr..
Ostrander this delay and allow HIM to
sail with his young bride by the next
steamer l myself would undertake to
advance Whatever sums might have
been endangered by this delay.
did not know then that Mr.. Gryco /
had already made this matter good with
this same gentleman.
The next morning we all took Walk .
in the lane. Il say nothing about the
night. If did not choose to sleep or II
| had any cause not to feel quite as ele'
waited as the young people about me,
there is surely no reason why l should
dwell upon it with you or even apollo
oize for a weakness that is, l hope, but
tbe execution setting off my customary
strength
Now a walk in this lane was an
event. To feel at liberty to stroll among
;ts shadows without fear, to know that
tbe danger had been so located that we
all felt free to inhale the autumn air
and TO enjoy the beauties OF the place
without a thought of lurking trouble III
;ts sweetest hooks and most attractive
,oyerts. gave to this short half hour
delight aptly expressed by
[oreen when she said:
az never knew the place was SO beau
tiful Why, l think | can be happy
80 now - At which Lucetta grew
,epsive. till reused her by saying:
$50 much for constitutional, girls.
Now we must to work. This house, as
rop see it now. has to be prepared Tor a
reddinp William, your business VIII
- to see that these grounds are put III
,s good order as can he done III three