Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-02-15

up, and answered gently.
Not So Veronica, not TO night; it is the an
niversary Of poor Alce's DEATH and did she
not die for love OF me, watching and waiting
when all others slept2 Her image has been
with me through the day cannot join the
banquet with my heart full of sad memories;
leave me, sister, and BeTetice took of, and
returned the wreath
ct listen, one word more thou know.
est who will be there this evening. NV
father will frown, and Lucius Emilius will
sigh when go in alone. Lucius departs
tomorrow for the battle; and shall he 90
without one benson from his affianced 2"
No" replied her sister, speaking low
and ialtering "you, Veronica, will tell him
that wait TO see him here before his de-
parture"
+" Berenice my sister, bethink you Of our
lather remember his patrcian prejudices /;
surely this step"
Go dear sister," answered Berenice,
mildly yet firmly; for the love that YOU
bear me, do me this errand would not
any other eye should mark the weakness
.ear to betray at parting with one whom my
father has commanded me TO love. tell nv
father am unwell, and i, is true, my head
and heart ach, go dearest.n And Veronica
unconvnced, yet persuaded by The tears OF
her sister, which in truth were flowing fast
left her alone.
Berenice resumed her reading, but not
many minutes she arose and shut the vol
ume. saying, mot thus, not thus, with diyi
ded attention, and with wandering thought
may presume TO read this holy record. p
She placed 1t within small golden caskel,
locked 1t carefully, and then walked forth
into balcony. on which the windows ofth
apartment opened The moon had Just ris-
en- and shed soIt light on the magnificent
buildings OF the eternal city the cool, thin
air swept over the brow OF the maiden, and
claimed her agilated Thoughts; she had
bitter trial before her, for she was about to
lnfict deep wound on the heart of one
whom she loved with all the innocent fer.
vor Of a girls first affection; and she ,rem-
bled, as she pictured 10 herself his surprise
and sorrow Then Berenice looked UP a,
the quie, of the evening sky, and thought Of
the time, when ear,h's interests would be
over for her and could she thus look, and
thus think, and still hesitate ?---Ah, no -
When she heard the step of Lucius drawing
nigh, she pucked single flower from
creeping plant. that overshaded the balcony,
and, keeping i, in her hand as token, 10
recall her bitter resolutions, she advanced TO
meet him.
" 1t was not foi this, | sent you hilher,"
she said, in reply TO his passionate express
ions oil regret and love you are a Roman
soldier, Lucius, and know it was neither
your destiny, nor your wish, TO be ever at a
lady's side. Believe me. have learned to
look on this parting as on thing inevita-
Bile !" but everas she spoke, her voice faler-
ed
L.ucius learned forward 10 console her, to
whisper of reunion, of lifelong reunion
Your father has promised, dearest" he said,
"ihat, this campaign once over. the Mar
comanui once defeated. shall be rewarded,
at my return, with the hand ofmy Berenice."
at may he so" she answered sadly "if
you still wish it,"
If still wish it Berenice, of what are
you dreaming"
/" / am moi dreaming, Lucius Emillus,
am speaking the words of sober reality
You think OF me, as OF the beloved child OF
Flavius Torqualus the coheiress of his
wealth and honors one whose hand will
confer distinction. II. on your return IRON
Germany you should find me despoied Of
allthese advantages. an alien from my faith
er's honse, it may be from his heart, scorned
and forgotten by my friends, despised by
mankind"-
"You would still" replied Lucus be 10
me the same Berenice. whom in her hour Of
prosperity, have vowed TO love and 10 cher
ish but what can be the meaning of your
terrible words why do you torture yourself
and me- by such utterly vain imagnings ?"
Beronice withdrew from the encrcling
arm that supported her she leaned against
the slight column of the verandah her
voice was softer than the sodest whisper,
yet every word fell with terrible clearness on
The ear Of her lover; " Lucius Emlius,
am christian"
I.ucius went forth that night from the
chamber of his belrothed an altered man;
for the chill Of disappointment had fallen on
his proudest and fondest hopes. He had
tried all his persuasive powers to induce the
girl to forsake her new opinions he had
tried in vain; so now nought for him re-
manned 10 do but TO fulfill tho engagement
ia which his honor was concerned, and then
to return Ito love her still, and to protect
her,--if necessary, with his life. He bore
with him two precious gifts. to console him
in absence, as far as anything could console
him,--the golden casket and the carrier
dove.
n s
.....- H. -. -. Lo..,.