Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-03-09


with some badge Of mourning, bore upon
their countenances the traces OF gr,ef tor |
the mistress who had so often sympathrzcd
with them IN their joys aud sorrows. The
old pastor of the village church had ust
commenced the solemn words "dust shall
return to dust" when there was cOmno.
ton amongst the crowd and young man,
OF noble port and bearing, but lravcl-soled
and aglla'ed. his dress bearing marks of
negligence and haste, rushed forward.
Walter Tracy! passed from lip to lip,
coupled with some epithet OF pity. lie
caught view of the coffin, with its velvet
pail, and throwing himself upon it called
wildly upon the name Of his mother. until
Lord Clanmou'h advanced and forced him
from the scene. Then the final words
were spoken, and he coffin Of Mrs. Tracy
lowered into the vault Of her husbands
ancestors.
Again it was the sunset hour. In
room that Mrs Tracy had always appro.
nriated 70 receiving those whom she held
most dear, where she could throw off tn,
ceremony and state with which her ran,
invested her, now knclt her sou "A sense
of utter loneliness bearing down his proud
splrt--a picture Of his mother hung above,
and around were al the memontos Of carrier
days All The treasured memories of his
childhood. when he was slnlc@s BOY,
came back upon his heart. He felt that lie
| brought not back with him the purify Of
DID, tba, he had gone forth into he world.
and that its breath had left It's faint upon
his hrow--and iaylng his head upon hs
mothers chair where he had often knclt
at his evening prayer, he gave way to all
his gushing grief. A light touch on his
arm caused him to raise it, and Alice Clan
mouth was before him. He clasped her
hand. bot did not speak. She knclt be
side him.
Walter. dear Waller, canno. you
pray = There Is One above who can shed
healing upon The wounded spirit and bind
the broken heart.
deep flush passed over his face, and
there was evidently a Struggle in his mind
lie raised himself to his fnll height, and IN
moment restored TO calmne.s and IN 30,
sure answered somewhat proudly. Alice I!
Know my mother is removed from the
trials OF earth; therefore, let US not mourn
her.
There was a something in his look and
tone that fell coIdy upon her heart and
she lei; as # the star of her destiny was
about to be Overshadowcd in gloom.
year had gone by, and Walter Tracy
mad cour,ed pleasure 10 all It's varying
forms. There was n GOODNESS in his smile,
a sheer ever upon his lip when he was
called upon to m,nglc with the great and
god who had been The chosen friends Of
his parents. Even towards Alice, his own
Alice, there was change in his manner--
rc~tralnt--a- II he Wtr. afta:d she would
read the depths Of his soul. His seat a,
the board Of Lord Clenmou'h was often
empty, and his plac, in the house Of GOD
always vacant,
The family Of Lord Clonmou'h were at
their country seat IN -, and Walter
had promised to follow IN few DAYS ;
Udora Tracy had been committed to their
guardianship, and was now an inmate of
their dwelling. There was peculiar
sweetness in her disposition that won oil
hearts--and to Alice, especially, she cluno
with trusting love.
Alice was very carly riser, and had
wandered forth alone. There was fresh
} ness IN the morning alr-a beauty in the
scene. that he'd her cntranced. The breeze
came trelghtcd with the fragrance OF early
flowers, and the sunlight made the dew.
drops that yet gllttercd upon them to seem
as the silver veil Of the fairies: and the
heart Of the beautiful girl glowed with
gratitude to Him who gives to car,h's plans
the mantle of beauty. A small river wound
through her fathers grounds, and seeing
specimens OF rare plant on its bank, she
stopped to gather it for her mother. Her
hat was thrown back, and her check flush
ed with exercise as she bent intensely over
1t. A step startled her, and lord GIenborne
sprlngng from his concealment was at her
side.
Lord Glenbornc. how you surprised
mel was her involuntary exclamation -
Then, seeing him agllated and serious, she
exc Ialmed, but tell me why nav gay friend
wears this unwonted expressions Ronald
Glenbornc always rides a full TILT against
Monsieur Melancholy
'Ace came not here to jest. | have
known you from your earliest childhood
and AIN too deeply interested in your hap.
plness not to warn you OF your danger -
You will soon be the welded wife OF Wal.
ter Tracy but, Alice, do you know him
to be the dcvo'ee of p'easurc--an apostate
from his God
Alice CIanmouth, pale as death, sunk
upon the turf She could not refue that
dark saying, and, covering her face, she
wept in bitterness Of spirit. She had fear
ed l,--and now that the lips that knew not
ialsehood had spoken the words, she felt
the ban was indeed upon the soul Of her
bclrolhcd. Lord GIenborne stood near
with counlcn0nce upon which distress
was strongly depicted.
Alice, sad he gently taking her hand,
VIII you thus cast away your happiness
VIII you wed one who must be an alien
| from all lhGl Won hnll sac1nd nnl Lnnr