Year: 1870

twenty young girls who received then


diplomas were sorry that their school


life was over. For we see perhaps more


real enjoyment at school, than we evel


do in after years. The Seminary had


been their home, and many days of un-


alloyed happiness had been passed with


in its walls. Tears stood in more than


one pair of bright eyes as they bade


good bye to teachers and friends for.


ever.


Sidney Morton started the day before


Violet did. She was in the parlor


alone when he came in to bid her fare


well. He reached forth bis hand-she


placed hers in it.


Farewell Miss Vane."


"Adieu Professor Morton" That


was all.


CHAP. x.


Violet spent her vacation with her
aunl, Miss Maria Ross. The latter was
a maiden lady Of well, we don't think
she ever told her age to any one-at
least she never hinted it to US, and we,
wisely concluding that it was none of
our business, never asked her, which
was perhaps all the better for us. Miss
Maria led a very solitary life. She
lived on a farm which she managed as
well as man could have done, driving
over it in a little pony carriage, and
scoldiDg the men energetically if they
did not do as she wished them to. They
stood greatly in awe other, as indeed
almost all of her acquaintances did. |
She cared more for her beautiful niece
than for any one else, but she was new
er afectionate even toward her. She |
considered Violet's determination to 90
to school ridiculous. She had "got along
without so much education, and she
didn't see why Violet couldn't We
are afraid there are great many more
like her in the world, But she said
that after all Violet had more sense
than most people, for Violet never took
otfense at her blunt remarks, and had
way of making her feel sorry for having
made them. "a.


Violet read to her aunt, wrote letters
for her, added up her accounts, and
made herself useful in various other
ways, 1t was lonely place, but the
young girl got books from library in
naighboring town, and spent much of
her time in reading instructive works,
notwithstanding Aunt Maria's assertion
hat she would "put her eyes out, and
become round shouldered." u


Mr. Brentford had obtained for her a
good situation as teacher in a female
seminary in distant State, and she
vas to begin her duties the latter part
If the following September But alas
or "tbe best laid schemes of mice and
men," A few days before she was to
tart, Miss Maria became seriously i'll.
)t course Violet at once relinquished
he idea of going away, and for weeks
he attended to the wants of her aunt
With unremittiDg care. At last Miss
daria was able, to come into the little
itting room again. Violet was over
Dyed at this, and after seeing that her
unit was seated comfortably in a large {
rm chair, she occupied herself with
iece of sewing, keeping up merry
with the invalid all the
While. Aunt Maria looked at her niece
and for the first time no.
iced what change had taken place in q
er appearance. Constant watching
ad robbed her cheek of its pink glow,
,aving it pale and wan. The soft blue
yes looked larger than usual, and only
faint color tinged her lips. Her beau
, was so refined, so spiritual, that Miss 8
Iaria was reminded of an angel. Vio-
It broke off in the middle of a sentence u
ith a weary sigh. a
"Put down that work this minute" u
i'd her aunt, Sand take walk in the e
pen air."


"But, auntie," want to finish this e'
oI ming wrapper for you" q
II shan't wear it if you don't go out
I'd take some exercise. You are as al
lie as ghost, with waiting on me now. u
shall never forgive myself for it." So
ltting on her hat and shawl, Violet "a y
I off for a walk in the forest. 1t was W
dreary day in November The trees D'
ere stripped Of their foliage, which u'
y in brown leaves on the ground. "
toilet could not help feeling dreary and
rsaken. She wore no bright colored Je
sioDs Of the future. They we're all of "
sombre hue. She heard footsteps on pl
e dry leaves behind her-she turned 50
d stood face to face with Sidney Nor W