Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-05-17

N snI
err f1
She spoke with such fervor and sensibili-
" and her countenance was lghed up with
SUCH an exalted expression, Edward was
scarcely able TO restrain the impetuous i'm
pulses OF passion that urged him on. The
confession frc,nbled on his lips, but pride
and povefty two stern monitors stood by
his side, and forbade the avowal of his mad.
ness and presumption
No said he 10 himself let me live on
IN the silence and secresv of hopeless devo
lion, rather than by unguarded rashness risk
the loss of that confidence so dangerous vet
SO delightful, She allows me TO be her
friend. Let me never dare aspire to be more
Thus reasoned Edward Stanley and
thus he schooled the language of his lips
out the passion denied utterance in words
flashed from his eyes, and modulated every
accent OF his voice. He looked back upon
this evening, passed alone with Mrs. Clifton,
amidst the oreathings Of poetry and music
and exuled in the reflection that he had not
committed himself by any act OF impradence
ne might hereafter vainly rue. Sometimes
ms feelings rose up against Clara, for the
selfish vanity that had led her 10 sacrifice the
fortune that might have placed him above
the suspicion of mercennry motives, but her
unappeasable sorrow for her transgression
would not allow him TO cherish any resent
ment towards her. Sometimes too his con.
science reproached him for the port he was
acting towards Fanny, the idol OF his boy
Ish iancy-but every hour passed in her
presence, convinced him that she looked up
on him more as brother than lover, and
wrapped in mantle of constitutional indif
ference, she seemed scarcely aware of the
wanderings Of his heart.
oh am so glad you are not going to
leave us | do not know how | should
live without you and Clara
Fanny's most ardent expression in 10y
and sorrow, was, am so glad-I am so
sorry 1t was great deal for her 10 say
but she looked at Clara exactly as she did at
him, and Edward, whose heart was now en-.
lightened, felt that she did not love him, and
he rejoiced in the conviction.
One evening, just beiweeen twilight and
darker, hour, he was returning from long
walk when n little before he left the wood.
land path, that led into the public road, be
met an old woman mulfled in a cloak and
hood-he bowed and was passing on, when
she accosted him in voice which was not
known, and approaching nearer 10 her, he
knew by the spectacles cleaning through
the shades, under the deeper shade Of mob
l'cap.-his ancient friend of IKE ,stagascoacb,
and he greeted her with great cordially -
She told him she was travelling about as
usual, and had stopped in the village TO make
visit to Mrs. Clifton, the grand daughter
of her old friend.
. 1t is growing dark and late, said he, let
me see you safe to her house. for you have
mistaken The path that leads to it,
Stop Moment cried she, = If you are
not in too much haste, g. let me rest on this
log by the way side. | am old, and it wea-
ries me 10 walk fast. Sit down, young man
and let me inquire after your welfare.
have not forgotten your kindness 10 the
aged, nor ever shall L.
| Edward brushed the dust from the log
with his handkerchief, and preparing seat
for her. with great reverence placed him
self at her side.
Come said she, Il must soon be gone,
but want to know il can serve you. lam
an eccentric old creature, but am well off
in the world and when die cannot carry
my money into the grave. am told there
is pretty young girl in the neighborhood,
whom you love and would marry if you
were not poor DO not blush TO own it, for
iii lis so, and can make you happy by my
means. shall bless the hour that brought
us together. even near the end of my pill
grimage
Her tremulous voice faltered, and she
raised her handkerchief under her specta-
cles.
Thank you a thousand times for your
generous Offer replied Edward, much NOV
ed but indeed madam, you are misinfor.
med would not marry, if | could
Young man, cried she, you are not sim
cere The heart Graves for kindred heart.
You would not live alone. Con6de in me
and will not betray you. Trihe with me
and Won may lose friend, whose professions
are not lightly made. Tell me, do you not
love the fair girl whom they call the beauty
Of the village, or is it but a passing rumor
that has reached my ears2
Edward wondered at the interest this sin
gular old woman expressed in his destiny,
but he did not doubt its sincerity, and he
would not repay it with Discrimination.
No, madam, l do not love her otherwise
than with brotherly kindness. Where | do
love. Icannot hope, and all your generosity
cannot avail me there
where 2 said she want no hafconi-
dences. The Imagination Of age is dull 20
that of youth. Tell me all or nothiug
There is one, then, with whom, were she
poor becgary would be paradise, but whom
fortune has placed so far beyond my reach
it would be madness to name and presump,,
- LII s..A