Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-06-14

stage coach, and he greeted her with cor.
dali'y. She told him she was travelling
about MS usual, and had stopped in the vii
lage 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 1t.
Stop n moment cried she, If YOU are
not in too much haste, and let me rest on
this log by the way side am old, and It
wcarlcs me 20 walk fast. Sit down, young
man, and let me aek after your wolfarc.--
| have not forgotten your kindness to The
aged, nor ever shall L.
Edward brushed the dust from the log
with his handkerchief, and preparing a seat
for her, with great reverence placed him.
self at her side.
Come. SAID she, Il must soon be gone.
but | want TO know if can serve YOU. |
am an eccentric did creature. but am
well off in the world and when due can
not carry my money into the grave, mn told
there is pretty young girl IN the neighbor
hood, whom you love, and would marry If
you were not poor, Do not blush to own il,
for if it is so and 7 can make you happy by
my means, I shall bless the hour that
brought US together, even near the end Of
my pilgrimage
Her lremuious voice falercd, and she
raised her handkerchief under her specta.
Giles.
'Thank yon thousand times, for your
generous offer replied Edward. much
moved. but indeed madam. you are mis-.
Informed. would not marry If | could
Young man cred she, you arc not sim
cerc. The heart Graves for a kindred
heart. You would not live alone. Con.
fidc in me ard will not bctray you. Trl-
tle with me- and you may lose friend,
whose professions arc not lightly made.--
Tell ne, do YOU not love the far girl.
whom they call the beauty OF the village,
or is it but passing rumor that has reach
cd my ears"
Edward wondered at the interest this
singular old woman expressed in his destiny,
bu he did no, doubt lis sincerity. and he
would not repay it with dssimulaton.'
No, madam. do not love her, oher-
wise than with hrotharly kindness. Where
DO love cannot hope, ard all your gen
crosby cannot avail me there.
| 'Where?' said she. j want 90 half con
fidences. The Imagination of age is dull
to that Of youth. Tell ne all or nothing
There is one, then with whom rero
she poor. bcggary would 90 paradise, but
whom forln0' has placed . far 5cYand MY
reach, 1t woG'I be madness to name. and
presumption to aspirc to. Sometimes EN-.
holdcnod by b r condasccnsion, have dared
to think. had my lot been djli'ercnt-but no
it can never bel need not say moro
yon know where your steps are bound
A silence followed this avowal, and Ed
ward was so much absorbed BY his own
feelings, as almost to forget the presence
of his companion. At length she spoke.
4 do not see the great presumption OF
YOUR hopes: lfyou mean the widow Clifton,
see nothing to make her beyond your
reach, unless you choose yourself to put
her Up in the clouds. She is rich, it is
true, but what does she want Of riches in
another? She has found no Joy in wealth.
know the history uf her marriage: it was
not voluntary on her part, and brought no
haDpiness--a state Of splendid bondage. -
Why do you not ut least learn from her
whether your love is hopeless? II l. an
old woman if my heart warmed towards
you. the first moment | saw you, is her
Young bosom made of stone, that It cannot
be melted or impreSscd?'
She has often spoken said Edward
finding an increasing fascination in the sub.
iecr, and still nearer his aged friend, of the
Loneliness Of her destiny and Of the INSULT
cheney of wealth to satisfy the cravings Of
the heart These wild dreams dazz ed my
Imagination, and gilt the future with the
| lines of heaven. But the dread Of being
banshcd from her presence. Of incurrlng
the dspleasuro of one who has been the
beneac'ress of our famly--you, who are
now in the winter of your days, can have
no conception of the strength Of these men
tai conhrcts-this warning of fire and ice.
i have forgotten the memories of youth,
she answered; and lmpasslvc as yOu be-
leve me, there is an image cherished in my
breast, whose traits the waves of oblivion
can never enacc, nor the SHOWS Of old age
ever chill. Few can love as have loved :;
and love with me, Is immortal as the divine
spnrk that lights Up this perishlug frame.
She leaned trembling against the shout,
der Of Edward, who reproachcd himself for
calling up emotions so sublime in their
strength, thus glowing and triumphant,
amidst The ruins of beauty and youth. lie
drew her cloak more closely aroud her, and
warned her that the night dew was falling,
You are right said she, rising Il was
! forgetting ! am not young like you
They walked slowly on, in the direction
of Mrs. C!lton's house.
May not ask the name Of the friend TO
whose kindness am SO much indebted ?
cried he.
oh replied she, laughing, Il thought
every body knew Aunt Bridget, for an
one of those universn nun,s, whom every
body knows, and nobody cares for. My
property is my own, and have a right t,
bequeath it where ever please. have
chosen YOU as my heir, and you may con
slider yourself equal in fortune to widow