A HAPPY RE-UNION.
Upon my return home, my uncle said he thought I should enjoy a change of
air and scene for a time as he fancied I was looking pale and thin. I
replied that I felt quite well, and felt no wish to leave my home during
vacation.
However, about this time, a party was formed among my acquaintances for
visiting the White Mountains, and they were anxious that I should make
one of their number; and, as my uncle and aunt strongly advised me to
go, I at length consented.
The sublime scenery of the White Mountains has been so often and so ably
described by tourists, that any description from me would be
superfluous. Upon our arrival at the Profile House, we found it so much
crowded with guests that we had no little difficulty in obtaining
accommodation. When one party left, the vacancy was almost immediately
filled up by fresh arrivals of pleasure-seekers. Every one seemed highly
to enjoy themselves, and time passed swiftly away.
I was one evening seated on the piazza, engaged in a very pleasant
conversation with several ladies and gentlemen, who, like me, had sought
the piazza to enjoy the refreshing coolness of the evening air, after an
intensely hot day. I noticed a carriage approaching in which several
persons were seated. I did not at first pay much attention, as the
arrival of strangers was a matter of very frequent occurrence; but, as
the carriage drew nigh, my attention was riveted by a lady seated
therein. She made some smiling remark as one of the gentlemen stepped
from the carriage and assisted her to alight. That smile was
sufficient--it was the very smile of Miss Edmonds, the same happy smile
which had so pleased my fancy years ago. The seven years which had
passed since I had seen her had somewhat changed her countenance; but
her smile was the same. As she took the arm of the gentleman who
accompanied her, and ascended the steps of the piazza, I stepped forward
and spoke to her as any stranger might accost another in a place of
public resort. I wished to see if she would recognize me. She replied to
me only as she might have done to any other stranger, but without the
least sign of recognition. Perceiving that she did not recognize me, I
went near to her and said,--
"Can it be possible, Miss Edmonds, that you have forgotten your old
pupil, Clara Roscom?"
In a moment I was clasped in her arms and felt her kisses upon my cheek.
Turning to the gentleman whose arm she had left, she said,--
"Allow me, Miss Roscom, to introduce to you Mr. Harringford, my
husband."
I acknowledged the introduction as well as my feelings of joyful
excitement would admit of, for I knew of no other friend whose presence
would afford me so much happiness as she with whom I had so unexpectedly
met. Seeing that she looked very much fatigued, I conducted her at once
to my own apartment. She was very anxious to learn all that had befallen
me since we parted in Philadelphia, but I insisted upon her resting
before entering upon the long conversation which we anticipated enjoying
together.
When Miss Edmonds, or Mrs. Harringford as I must now call her, had
somewhat recovered from her fatigue, we derived mutual satisfaction from
a long and confidential conversation. In giving me a brief sketch of her
life during the time we had been separated, Mrs. Harringford said,--
"On going to New York, I obtained a situation as governess, which, for
various reasons, I did not like, and I decided upon seeking another
situation. I chanced about this time to meet with a lady whose home was
in South Carolina. Her husband had business which required his presence
in the City of New York, and he had prevailed upon her to accompany him.
The lady had, some years before, formed a slight acquaintance with Mrs.
Leonard, the lady in whose house I was employed as governess, and when
she visited the city she sought out Mrs. Leonard, and their former
acquaintance was resumed. During one of her visits I happened to hear
her remark that a friend of hers, residing in Greenville, S. C., had
commissioned her if possible to find her a governess for her three
little daughters, who would be willing to remain for some years, and the
salary she offered was very liberal. Instantly my resolution to go South
was taken. As I had anticipated, I had some difficulty in obtaining the
consent of my parents to my undertaking, but, when they found that my
heart was really set on going, they at length consented. I felt no fears
regarding the journey, as I was to accompany Mr. and Mrs. Carlton on
their homeward journey, and they promised to see me safely at my new
home. It is needless for me to dwell upon particulars. I spent more than
four years in the family of Mr. Leslie, where I went as governess. I was
kindly treated by them, and shall ever remember them with gratitude.
During the last six months of my residence with the Leslies, I became
acquainted with Mr. Harringford, who is now my husband. He was
transacting some business in Greenville, which detained him for a
considerable time. I often met him at parties. We were mutually pleased
with each other, and, when he left Greenville, I was his promised wife.
My home is now at Jackson, in Tennessee, where Mr. Harringford resided
previous to our marriage.
"I felt a strong desire to visit my parents, at New York, this summer;
and, as Mr. Harringford had heard much of the beautiful scenery of the
White Mountains, he persuaded me to accompany him to New Hampshire for
the purpose of visiting them, and to that circumstance I owe the
happiness of again meeting with you. I have ever remembered you as the
bashful school girl I left in Philadelphia, and when I found you so much
changed you cannot wonder that I failed to recognize you."
In my turn I narrated to Mrs. Harringford the events of my life since we
parted. Her tears flowed often as she listened to the particulars of my
mother's death, for she had much loved any mother. I kept nothing back,
not even the circumstance which had caused me to leave Mrs. Leighton.
The intimate friendship existing between us made it easy for me to speak
freely to Mrs. Harringford. She informed me that she intended visiting
Philadelphia before returning South, as she had many old friends
residing there. As she contemplated visiting the Leightons, I exacted
from her a promise that she would conceal from them her knowledge of my
residence. I had never once heard from them since leaving Philadelphia.
Mrs. Burnside was the only one with whom I had corresponded; and I had
requested her to avoid mentioning the Leightons in her letters to me.
But of late I had felt a strong desire to hear from them, and I
requested Mrs. Harringford to give me some account of the family in the
letter she proposed writing from Philadelphia.
The party of young friends who had accompanied me from Littleton were
quite ready to return at the expiration of a week; but Mrs. Harringford
intended remaining a week longer, and she was very anxious that I should
remain with her. I therefore allowed my friends to return without me. I
wished to enjoy the society of Mrs. Harringford as long as possible, for
I thought it quite probable that we might never meet again.
We spent a happy week together after the return of my friends to
Littleton. The only shadow upon our happiness was the thought--how soon
we must be parted, perhaps for life. From all I observed of Mr.
Harringford I thought him to be worthy, in every respect, of the bride
he had won.
Happy days pass swiftly by, and the morning soon arrived when we must
bid each other adieu. Before we parted, Mrs. Harringford drew a costly
diamond ring from her finger, and, placing it upon mine, said,--
"Wear this, my dear Clara, for my sake; and, when you look upon it think
of me, who will often think of you, and will pray for your happiness
both here and here-after."
The moment of parting had arrived. We parted on the piazza of the
Profile House; they to proceed on their journey, and I to return to my
uncle and aunt.
I have never since met with Mrs. Harringford. The ring she gave me at
parting still encircles my finger, and when I gaze upon it I often think
of the loved friend who placed it there.
I received an affectionate welcome from my uncle and aunt upon my
return, and I was truly glad to find myself once more at home. Mrs.
Harringford had promised to take an early opportunity of writing to me,
and I had requested her to give me some account of the Leightons.
Separate from other causes, I felt anxious to hear from Birdie and
Lewis, for I was strongly attached to those two affectionate children. A
letter from her arrived in due time. After giving me information of many
of my former friends, she said,--
"And now, Clara, it only remains for me to give you an account of my
visit to Mrs. Leighton, although I fear I shall give you pain instead of
pleasure by so doing. When I called on Mrs. Leighton, I was struck with
surprise at her changed appearance. You doubtless remember, Clara, what
beautiful hair Mrs. Leighton had. You will scarcely credit me when I
inform you that it is now thickly sprinkled with grey. She appeared like
one who struggled with some secret sorrow. An air of sadness seemed to
reign in the home, where formerly all was joy and happiness. Mrs.
Leighton so strongly urged us to spend the night with them that we could
not refuse. Laura was absent, visiting some friends in the country.
Georgania and Bertha were both absent, attending school. Lewis has not
yet been sent from home, but attends school in the city. He has grown a
fine, manly-looking boy. He made many enquiries of me, if I had seen or
heard from you? I was sorry that I was not at liberty to tell him how
lately I had seen you, for I am sure that it would have afforded him
much pleasure. My enquiry for Willie caused a pained expression to cross
the countenance of both Mr. and Mrs. Leighton. Mr. Leighton replied
briefly by saying, 'Willie is at present in England.' Later in the
evening, when the gentlemen had gone out, Mrs. Leighton said to me,--'As
you are an old friend, Mrs. Harringford, I will explain to you the cause
of Willie's absence. You doubtless remember Clara Roscom who was a
former pupil of yours. After you left Philadelphia, she completed her
education at a distant boarding school, and soon after her return home I
engaged her as governess in my family. We soon learned to love and
respect Miss Roscom, on account of her many excellent qualities, and we
treated her very kindly. She left us to attend to her mother during the
illness which terminated in her death, and after that event she again
returned to us. But, to tell you all in a few words, Willie fell in love
with her, and asked her to become his wife. When I first learned the
fact I suppose I made use of some rather strong language to Miss Roscom,
so much so that she left my house that very night. She remained for a
short time with a Mrs. Burnside, who resides in the city and then left
Philadelphia, and we have never since been able to gain any knowledge of
her residence. If Mrs. Burnside knows anything of her she gives no
information upon the subject. I have no doubt that she is governed by
Miss Roscom's direction, for she possessed a proud spirit. I regret some
things I said to her, but the thought of Willie, our pride, uniting
himself by marriage to our governess put me almost beside myself with
indignation. But Willie was so blinded by his love for her that all
considerations of family or wealth were as nothing to him. When he
learned that Miss Roscom had left the city, and he found himself unable
to learn anything of her, he became embittered towards us all. He soon
after declared his intention of returning to England; but what grieves
me most of all is, that he will hold no correspondence with us since
leaving home. He has now been ten months absent. We have written to him
again and again, but have received no reply.' As she concluded, Mrs.
Leighton burst into a flood of tears, which, for some time, she was
unable to check. You may believe me, Clara, when I tell you that you are
happier today, while attending to the duties of your school, than is
Mrs. Leighton, in her luxurious home."
Such was, in substance, the information which Mrs. Harringford's letter
afforded me. I almost regretted having sought the information, for it
made me very unhappy. It grieved me much to learn that Willie was
self-exiled from his home and friends.