Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-06-22

years OF childhood had entwined around
them, were yet answered that with her, as
with him, the heart was unchanged. His
vows. his pride, his fears, were all forgotten,
as he poured forth the wild tale OF his love.
That night he returned home the accepted
suior of Ellen Munroe.
Though her father might not have ap.
proved of her choice, yet he loved her loo
fondly to thwart her inclinations in matter
so momentous to her future happiness, and
his consent was freely given TO their union.
II was then late in the fall, and day was
fixed in the ensuing spring for their nup-
tails. But his day.dreams OF felicity were
destined to be brief: one month from the Pc
riod Of the interview related, saw him incar-
cerated in dungeon. upon the charge Of
that heinous and fearful crime-wilful and
deliberate murder The evidence against
him was wholly circumstanlial but at the
same time was so conclusive in its nature,
as almost 10 preclude the possibility Of his
innocence
The circumstances were these: A quar-
rel had taken place between himself and
Capt. Henderson of the army, one OF the re-
jected suitors Of Ellen. The quarrel had
been doubtless sought by the soldier in
moment of pique, on first learning the sue
cess OF his rival a challenge passed, was
accepted, and day assigned for meeting
The evening preceding the appointed day,
Henderson was found murdered by the road
side at short distance from him, was dis
covered concealed among the leaves, dirk,
known by many to BE- the property of Ray
mond, and which had been seen in his pos
session on the morning ofthe murder. Ray
mond was also coming from the woods in
which the body was found, a few hours be-
fore the discovery An examination Of the
wounds OF the murdered man. discovered
that he had been attacked from behind and
showed beyond doubt that Raymond's dirk
was the weapon with which they had been
inflicted Another circumstance whic b had
no small weight with many, was the fact of
his making no preparations for the approach
ing duel by "prac,icing," as it is technically
called among dueliss. Opposed to this
overwhelming mass of circumstantia ,esti-
mony. he had nothing to offer but the clear
est evidence of an unblemished character
from his earliest infancy up to the moment
Of his incarceration.
There was but one opinion as 10 his guilt;
all concurred in pronouncing him cold
booded and cowardly assassin.
Whittier are you going, Ellen said Judge
Munroe 10 his daughter, as she passed him
in the hall in the afternoon Of the day sue.
ceedng the murder. Wherefore have
you your sun bonnet, and your cloak p
Surel y, you are not going out through this
rain p
Il am going to see him, father she repli.
ed, in a voice husky with emotion, but breath
ing determined resolution in every tone.
My daughter, dearest child, you must
think of him no more exclaimed the old
man, bursting into tears, and throwing his
arms around her neck. 1t was the frs, time
the subject had been mentioned, and indeed
the first time he had seen her since the fatal
discovery.
Father exclaimed the maiden, in the
firm but resoIu,e tone in which she had first
spoken, and facing him with her arms fol-
ded on her breast, Il cannot, dare not, obey
you must, will see him.
My child, my beloved one exclaimed the
old man, lrantically, you know not what you
do-he is MURDERER cold blooded, cow
ardIy'
Father, father = screamed the maiden
pause | beseech you'll know all-every
thing have heard his guilt proclaimed
from hundred mouths, and every anathe-
ma that the vile herd have heaped upon his
head, has but rendered him dearer to this
heart. Father, until now | never knew
how much loved him.
DO you then believe him innocentP ask
ed the old man, in voice vainly strug-
Cling for calmness.
sBelieye il father, | know II, l would
sweari
Yet Ellen, dearest Ellen said her faith
er, imploringIy, every body believes him
guilty, and -
The greater reason why | should not
desert him. said Ellen proudly. No. faith
err, if the proofs of his guilt were written IN
letters of fire upon my own heart, would
cling to him still Father, fear not that
your daughter will do aught for which you
will have to blush, but oppose me not be-
seech YOU, if you would not drive me mad
must, will see him; he shall know al
least. there is one heart that believes him IN
nocent, despite of circumstances; and which
would cherish him still, were it assured Of
his guilt
The father buried his face with his hands
and sunk upon chair-the daughter lel'
the house accompanied only by black ser
want. and in few moments was IN the pres
ence of him for whom she thus fearlessly
braved the scorn and censure OF the world
The interview was brief; an age OF tho'
and feeling were crowded into space oil
few short moments. Raymond insisted, ano
finally obtained from her promise that she