AFTER AWHILE. BY HELEN M. RUSSELL. A little white cottage enclosed by a neat picket fence, and half concealed from view behind tall maples, the walk leading to it from the narrow gateway, bordered on either side with lovely flowers, and standing near the front-door, on the left as you approach the house, a large white rose bush now in full bloom, is the scene to which I wish to present you, kind reader. The door stands wide open to admit the cool, summer breeze, and near the door are seated two ladies, one apparently somewhere in the vicinity of forty years of age, the other not yet twenty. The elder lady is dressed in a suit of gray, made very plainly, with snow white linen collar, fastened with a small gold pin. The nut brown hair, with here and there a thread of silver, is combed smoothly back from the high forehead, and coiled at the back of the head. The blue eyes look mournfully away toward the distant hills, which arise on all sides as far as the eye can reach. Those dear old New Hampshire hills! There is nothing on earth so dear to my heart, as those same old hills, amid which I have watched the sun rise in the east, and go out of sight behind lofty mountains in the west, so many, many times. The beautiful forest of maples interspersed with hemlock, spruce or poplar, or the tall, majestic pines, which send forth their melancholy, dirge-like music, are to be seen on either hand, while afar off in the distant pastures can be heard the occasional lowing of cattle or bleating of lambs. Everything is very quiet just now-so quiet that the younger lady growing weary of the monotony, rests her golden head against the back of the arm chair in which she is seated, and closing her blue eyes, settles herself for a quiet nap. She is very lovely, perhaps not what one would style beautiful, but sweet and modest, reminding one of some wayside flower. Her hair I have already said, was of the color of gold, and it was drawn back from the child-like face as plainly as possible, which was not very plainly, it must be confessed, for it would curl and wave about the forehead, in spite of comb or brush, and it was confined at the back of the head by a blue ribbon, where it fell, a golden shower of ringlets, down over her shoulders. Her dress is of pure white, with a knot of blue here and there, and she looks very lovely as she sits there, all unconscious of the pretty picture she is making. Alice Merton is the name of the little lady, and the sad-faced woman by her side is her aunt Lizzie Merton, a maiden lady and owner of the pretty cottage. Two years previous, Alice's mother had died and her father soon afterward took his only child, Alice, or as she was usually called, Allie, to his sister Lizzie's snug little home, and leaving her, had set out on a journey to Europe where he still remained. Although Allie had always lived in a large city, she was very happy here, and had no desire to leave the quiet country home where we now find her. Through the trees you can see the spires of two churches, and also the academy, which Allie had attended the greater portion of the time since her arrival in L- . It is vacation now, and she is prepared to enjoy it in earnest, for the young people of the village have planned picnics, parties and rides innumerable. After a time, with a yawn, she rises from her seat, and says to her aunt: "Aunt Lizzie, what are you dreaming about? I believe I have been sound asleep for I don't know how long, and large farm was all paid for, and money in the bank beside, so alalthough we missed him greatly and mourned for him sincerely, we were not wake up to find you in the same position you have been in for the last hour, at least. Do please wake up and tell me a story." With a smile the lady turns to her wanting for any thing which money niece and replies could purchase. Mother hired the work "What shall it be, Allie! I don't done, and we lived thus for several years, think I know any stories." Let it be a story of your younger days, auntie. Ah, I have it, tell me why you never married." Into the blue eyes of the lady there came a sudden rush of tears; but Allie intent upon getting a hassock and placing it by her aunt's side, does not notice them until she has seated herself and rested her head on the lady's lap, when a single tear falling upon her face causes her to exclaim in astonishment "Why, Aunt Lizzie, what is it? I did not mean to hurt your feelings. I am so sorry," she said, caressing the little hand which she held in her own. "Nay, Allie, you have not wounded my feelings, but I am feeling sad to-day and your words only brought back to my mind more forcibly the cause of my sadness. I have been thinking for several weeks of telling you the little story of my life, for I fear you need a little lecture on flirtation, and the simple reason why I never married will answer for a lecture, I think.” "I don't see the harm in flirting just a little, auntie. I enjoy the company of the young men, and I do not mean any harm. Of course, I must go to walks or rides as the case may be, but I do not see any harm in that. If I were always to remain at home I should not enjoy life at all. I am not so very bad, am I auntie?" until my seventeenth year, when she sold the farm and bought this cottage. I attended school and enjoyed life thoroughly, sometimes teaching in the summer season for the pleasure of it, for teaching seemed to be my particular forte, until my twenty-second year. Your father, I have neglected to say, left home soon after our removal to this place, and after two or three years, during which time he attended school, he entered the store in which he afterwards became partner, after a time married and settled nicely in life. I had always been called very goodlooking, and received a great deal of attention, so much, in fact, that my silly head was completlely turned. I did not stop to think that my wealth had any thing to do with the homage I received, but supposed my good looks and agreeable manners, were the attractions. was a decided flirt, Allie. I cared for none of the beaus that hovered around me, and I have since had cause to be very thankful that my wealth was the great I Allie's face flushed slightly as she re- attraction with most of them, for less plied-" harm was done than if it had been otherwise. At length. I reached my twentysecond year. The academy was built the following summer and made ready for the Fall term, which opened in September. In July preceding, I received an invitation from your father to visit him, and in company with himself and your mother, take a journey to Saratoga, returning by the way of the White Mountains. I accepted the invitation with much pleasure, and after a few weeks of enjoyment, reached home again in fine health and spirits. What was my surprise to learn that mother had taken the principal of Maplewood academy to board. A loving smile chased away for a moment, the shadows resting on the lady's face as she answered fondly-" "No, Allie, dear, I do not think you mean any harm, but for all that much harm may be the result; but listen to my story and then you can judge whether it be right for you to flirt at all. As you well know, Allie, my father died when I My uncle, Winslow Austin-mother's was quite young, leaving mother only brother-had been living with us a and Austin-your father-and myself great portion of the time for three years, in comfortable circumstances. The and it was principally on his account that mother had consented to receive the gentleman into the family. I was almost vexed at first, but soon I grew to admire him more than any one I had ever met. Somehow, I could not flirt with him. I had no desire to, in fact, and of ten when in his company I would find myself completely at a loss for words in which to carry on a conversation. It was something very strange, for I had always before found myself equal to all emergencies. I will try and describe him to you, Allie. He was quite tall and rather slender, but not so much so as to mar the beauty of his form, which I then thought to be almost perfect. His eyes were black and his hair a very dark brown, and as curly as your own sunny locks, Allie. He was always rather sad and I often used to wonder if he had ever experienced any serious trouble. You ask me his name, Allie, but it has not passed my lips in many years. I will call him George Town, for that will answer as well as his true name, for you never saw him and probably never will. I will not dwell upon the many happy hours we passed together, when busy with my worsteds and he reading aloud from some favorite book of poems, I would lose my strange reticence and discuss with him the beauties of style and sentiment, until uncle Winslow or mother would enter the room and bring me back to the realities of life again. I had not even thought that school must soon close, until one morning at breakfast, George addressed mother saying "Mrs. Merton, after this week I shall not be permitted to sit at your pleasant table, as my duties as teacher end in L — next Friday." I cannot describe to you my feelings, Allie. I paused in the act of raising a glass to my lips and turned my eyes toward his face, only to find him intently watching me. The knowledge that I loved him, suddenly burst upon me with an almost overwhelming force. I arose from the table with the rest, and somehow managed to talk and laugh even more than usual, but the dread feeling was at my heart all the time, and the words, "he is going away," ever ringing in my ears. All through the day I could hear them, and toward the close of the afternoon I threw a shawl over my shoulders and took a stroll off to the woods where we went the other day. The trees were all bare,and as I entered the wood, the leaves rustled beneath my feet and the November wind sighed through the leafless branches over my head so mournfully, that at last overcome by my trouble and the gloominess around, I sank down among the rustling leaves and wept bitterly. I felt so humiliated that I had given my love away unasked and unsought-that, that in itself was enough to cause me bitter pain, while the thought "he is going away," would return ever and anon, causing me to weep faster than ever. At length I grew calm, and arising to my feet, I sought for and soon found a little rivulet, where I bathed my flushed face, and then walked slowly toward home. It was nearly dark when I arrived, and George himself met me at the door. "Lizzie, I was just going in search of you, for your mother was becoming alarmed at your absence," said he taking my hands in his, with a tenderness peculiar to himself. I laughed gaily, for he had never called me Lizzie before, and my spirits had revived wonderfully as I replied, that I had been bidding good bye to the grand old woods, had taken my last walk in them for that season, and was not aware it was so late until I had. started for home, which was all true enough so far as it went. "I fear you have taken cold, Lizzie," said he, tenderly, as he opened the door for me, which led to the cosy dining room, where tea was awaiting me. Half an hour later, I entered the sitting room and seated myself on the sofa, listening to George, who was playing on the piano. He was a fine musician and I never wearied listening to him. After awhile, he arose and approaching me, said "Lizzie, will you allow me to sit beside you and tell you a story?" Of course I assented, and drawing a chair near me-the very one you vacated a few moments ago, Allie-he sat down and told me the story I was so longing to hear. He had spoken to my mother, won her consent, and now awaited my own, which, of course, I did not withhold, and when at last I sought my room I was perfectly happy as his affianced. One thing had troubled me, at first, which was this He had loved before, and the sweet, young girl had died on the day that was to have been her bridal. I say this had troubled me at first, but I was assured that George truly loved me, so I made up my mind never to think of that matter again, but to be as happy as if it had never been. The week passed as all weeks will, and when he left us, he made me very happy with the knowledge that when spring came, he would return as principal for the Spring term at the academy. I will not weary you with details, Allie. The spring came and passed, and when he left me it was decided that in the fall he would return and make me his wife and assistant teacher, and so it would have been, had I not ruthlessly thrown away my own happiness. In July, Dr. Hugh Ellis came to Land commenced practice. Mother, whose health had been failing for some time, was taken suddenly ill one day, and I went hurriedly for our family physician, Dr. Lane, but to my sorrow, found him absent. I was returning sick at heart, when I met Dr. Ellis. I asked him to return with me to see my mother. He did so, and although he soon relieved her, it was weeks ere she was able to be about the house again, and so every day the Doctor's horse and carriage could have been seen at the gate, and at length I discovered it was not altogether to see mother that he came, but it was rather on my own account. Then, all my old love for a flirtation came back to me, Allie I should be married in the fall and this was my last opportunity, so why not improve it. I questioned. I supposed he knew of my engagement, however, so I let matters take th er own course until I was awakened to my true position by a proposal from the young physician. I see you are astonished, Allie, and no wonder you are so. I had not intended matters to go so far as that, and I asked him if he did not know I was engaged. He knew nothing of it, and his anguish was terrible. I wept bitterly over my misdoings, but could do nothing to right the great wrong that had been wrought. Meanwhile, letters came to me every week from George, and I was beginning to count the weeks that must elapse ere I should see him, when I one day received a very heavy letter, which I hastened to open, expecting a greater treat than usual, for his letters were always very interesting, not silly love letters, merely, but always full of good sound sense and manly sentiment. I can repeat his letter, word for word, for it seemed scorched on my brain with th first reading. It ran thus:"LIZZIE MERTON: an. When I asked you to be my wife, I thought I was asking a good, true womthough finding you out has caused I find I was mistaken, and alme bitter suffering, I rejoice that I have not been permitted to marry a coquette. If you do not know to what particular flirtation I refer, the letter enclosed from my dearest friend, Hugh Ellis, who willexplain all to your satisfaction. Not even respectfully, yours, GEORGE TOWN. I read the long letter which Dr. Ellis had sent him, through, and with my heart all torn and bleeding as it was I could not help pitying him. He was not to blame, for he never knew George Town cared for me, for, for some reason I never understood, George had never mentioned my name to him, although they corresponded regularly. I had no recollection of ever hearing George mention Dr. Ellis' name, but mother said she knew they were acquainted. A brain fever followed, and in my ravings, Dr. Ellis learned the truth. Dr. Lane called him in as counsel, and seeing his face must have brought back to mind the terrible anguish I endured ere I lost my reason, for mother said I had never referred to it before. However that may be he discerned all and like the true and noble young man he was, he tried to effect a reconciliation, but George was firm,and I have never seen or heard from him since. I can not enquire for him, and although Dr. Ellis and I are very good friends and have been for years, his name is never mentioned between us. And now, Allie, do you think you ever wish to flirt with Dr. Ellis or any one else again? You have known him for years, for your father and he have long been warm friends. and as you know, he often visited at your old home. I have seen the affection he felt for you as a child gradually assuming a different form. If you can return his love, I shall be very glad, but I do not wish to urge you. Do you think you ever can, Allie?" There was no response but a subdued sob, and looking down, Miss Merton found Allie weeping bitterly. "Do not weep, Allie, but let me tell you this. Unless you care for Dr. Ellis do not encourage him. He is now nearly forty-five years of age and I hardly suppose you can care for a man so much older than yourself. It has been very hard for me to tell you this little story, but I was resolved to do it. Dr. Ellis cares for you more than you think for, so be very careful. Now go and bathe your face, and we will go to walk and try and throw off these gloomy thoughts my story has called up." continued the good lady as she raised the flushed face from its resting place. The days passed rapidly away. Picnics, parties, rides, etc., followed each other in rapid succession. Nearly every day, if pleasant, was passed by the young people in pursuit after pleasure. As has already been seen, Dr. Ellis admired the pretty Allie, and his admiration was fast verging into love. It had been a long time since he had called at the cottage, although he had met Allie at the picnics, for no picnic or party was thought complete without him. At length, as Allie sat reading one af ternoon, she heard a rumble of carriage wheels, and looking up from her book, she saw the doctor just driving up to the gate. A flush dyed her face as she arose, and, passing out of the door, walked lei surely down the flower-bordered path to the gate. It had always been her won't to run lightly forth to meet him, for she had always regarded him as an elder brother, and had never thought of him in the light of a suitor. Now, her aunt's words came back to her and she raised her eyes to his face with an eager, questioning gaze, as he came forward with outstretched hands to greet her. Certainly he did not look his age, for the shining jet-black hair was guiltless of a silver thread, and his long, wavy beard was as black as his hair, while he always wore a pleasant smile, and his brown eyes ever beamed kindly upon all. "Truly, he is a better-looking middleaged gentleman than he was a young one" said Lizzie Merton to herself as she glanced through the sitting room window. "I wish Allie might care for him, for he would make her very happy," sighed the lady as her thoughts went back into the past which had been so full of sorrow for her. "I am going to ride with the Doctor, Auntie," said Allie, as she re-entered the sitting room. "Very well, my dear," was the reply and then Allie was gone again. A few moments later Miss Merton saw the Doctor assist her to a seat in his carriage, spring in beside her and drive rapidly away. Out through the village and away towards the south he drove. At length checking his horses and turning with a smile to his companion, he said: "Allie, I would like to know why you look so serious to-day, will you tell me? Several times of late. when you look at me, I have noticed that you seem to be very busily engaged in thought. Do you see that I am growing old and feel sorry that I must soon become an old man, or what is it?" he asked, smiling down into the upturned face by his side. "You growing old, Dr. Ellis! I have never thought of such a thing. I don't know as I can tell you and it would not interest you if I could," she replied. He was silent for several moments and then he said softly "Allie, if I were not so old, I should ask you a question to-day; can you imagine what it would be?" |