Year: 1871

But my heart rebelled. This guest Of
ours, whether willfully or 40, did come
in between my husband and myself.
There were no more long confidential
talks for us in the still twilights; there
were no more sweet, familiar words at
MONDAY; there were no brisk rides or
walks in the breezy mornings. For
wherever we were, there was Miss Del
amater; and she was diplomat and be-
Iieved in monOpOlies.


Then, too, was physically worn and
wretched. The addition Of this one
member to my household added Won
derfully to my domestic cares and Ia
bors. Miriam Delamater had the art Of
appearing exceedingly heipful-even
ofiieiously so. 1 do not doubt in the
least that Walter thought her a great
assistance TO me; and blessed her for
her sisterly aid and counsel. But the
truth was, she was utterly helpless and
inefficient when It came TO the practicali
daily recurring needs Of life. To make
a bad matter worse, she did not know
this, and was always volunteering in
Walters presence, mind YOU to do some
stupendous deed in the housekeeping or
culinary line; which, when once begun,
Hannah or were forced to finish. For
my lady was sure to become exhausted
before she had made an end to her be-
ginnings, while she claimed credit for
having done whatever she had under
taken.


During all these dreary weeks, Walter
was never unkind or impatient with me.
But he could not comprehend my
iwhims and humors,' as he called them;
and / kept my own m Outh closely seal
ed. doubt if ! made myself very
charming in those days; and I suspect
now, that he was as thoroughly puzzled
as a man ever was by his wife's demean-
or. He would come in fresh and vigor-
Gus from his earnest, eager work, 10
find Miss Delamater in the parlOr ready
to talk to him-Or with him-Of books,
Of art, OF noted men whom whom she
had met, Of famous places she had seen.
She kept his whole intellectual being i'll
healthy action. By and BY q little pale,
spiritless woman would come stealing
in, and sit silently in the shade.


Sometimes it was the little woman's
own fault that she was not brighter and
freshcr. Sometimes a spirit of dumb
submission that was yet far from being
( patience took possession of her, and she
would not strive to make herself n
charming as she could, and as she
had through all her welded life till now
Sometimes she was silent when she
might have talked well and wisely-a'
well, perhaps, as the more brilliant wo
man whom she allowed to eclipse her
Sometimes she wiIlfully threw her hus
band in the way Of temptation by being
still, and cold, and passive herself, wheI
this old friend ofhis was most attract
i've, most winning.


[ see all this now, but Il did not see i


then. l only felt that was wretched
and believed that Miriam Delamate


was the cause.


One morning at the breakfast table al
lusion was made to Bryant's poem 4


the Fringed Gentian; ami Miss Della
mater remarked that she did not know


the flower.


what! not know the Fringed Gen


tian?' said Walter, turning round quick


ly. We'll, advise you TO make its ac


quaintance before you go fiower-hunt


ing again ION the Alps and Appennines.


I will bring you blossom tonight, if


can find one. 1t must be in bloom b!


this time


NO, thank YOU she answered, care


lessly. IF see the flower at all wan
/ to see it in its native haunts. No singh
blossom for me if you please


Then what say yOu, Barbara? lie


us 20 up to the head of the lake this al


ternOOn, toward sunset, and we can reaI


a harvest of Gentians. MeldOn's wood
must be filled with Them


did not particularly care togo; but
had still enough common sense remain


ing to know that the walk, and tn
sweet, fresh evening air would do M
good. So we went, all three of US,
I am not going to describe our wall
on the shores of that lovely lake, tn


glorious sunset sky, the Opaline CLEANS
the tints of purple and rose, amethys
and amber, that gloritied cloud ant
wavelet and mountain. Even my per
turbed spirit felt that lit was good to b
there We fingered so long that whel
we entered the woods the sun was slow
/ ly sinking--a globe Of fire behind iii


crest of Mount Victory.


The first frOsts had come, and tn


leaves were beginning to fall. But
bright with heavens own blue,' tin


Gentian looked through its fringes t
the sky from every damp and shader
nook. We found them on every side G
US; and wandered on, lured by seeming
IIy richer specimens just beyond, unit


we we're checked by the gathering dark


ness. L looked up, aud a single sta


shone down upon me through partin


in the the trees. But even as looke
a dense cloud swept over it.


Walter and Miss Delamater were a
little distance. He was showing he
a spot where the Nay-flowers wer
the largest and sweetest in the spring


Icalled to them.


Walter! Miriam!' ! said. 1T is get
ting late, and believe it is going {
rain. We must hurry home.


! They came back to me hastily. Blu
) before we had taken a dozen steps. th