Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-11-10

sd,rivaling the transparent beauty and clear
ness Of her complexion. A, times when she
would mingle in the giddy whirl Of the dance,
smile world play upon her lovely features !:
but when over, melancholy expression would
steal into her laughing eye, telling Of some
tmng yet wanted to complete her happiness.
she was thinking, perhaps, how he who ma
ny years ago, had won her maiden love, might,
whilst she was surrounded by wealth and lux
ury, be dragging out the prime Of his life in
poverty and distress. Yes, she still remem-
bered the companion of her childhood. Such
10 wGnan's consistency and love. Alas that il
shoc1d so often be abused!
Tt evening was somewhat advanced when
Morton approached Helen, locked arm in
aruf witiia Young man, whose dark couuse-
nance, raven hair, and eyes, tall strait form,
indiacted a native ofthe South.
Mr.. Thompson of New Orleans, my dear,
said Mr.. Merton, introducing him TO Helen,
and then, after conversing for u few moments,
sauntering to the opposite side Of the saloon.
Who is that handsome young man you just
now introduced to Helenr asked Mrs. Merton
Of her husband
That is Mr.. Thompon, of New Orleans; the
richest merchant in that city, as his father was
before him. He arrived here but the day be-
fore yesterday, and invited him here to night,
and II the impression of his features is not left
on Helen's little heart, which has hitherto been
so callous, none ever will be-
And if they are, ] suppose you will regret
the disappearance Of your pro,ege, Charles
Elliston, said his wife, sarcastically.
Mr.. Merton did not answer her he only
turned away.
At first, when the stranger was introduced
to Helen, there appeared an air of embarrass-
una h,rtf al off "a he
ed into conversation with usual vivacity. In
the course OF it she asked him IL he had ever
been in the city before. He replied that he
had been when he was about seventeen years
Of age, and that he had then become acquaint-
ed with several OF his own age, whose acquaint-
ance he highly priced. Among the names he
mentioned, was that of Charles Elliston in
particular As he pronounced the name, he
bent his dark eye full upon her, AMI perceived
that she started, while for moment agitation
was visibly depicted in her countenance. AZ
| ter minutes pause, he continued, but have
made enquiries since my arrival respecting
him, and hear that he has returned the kind
ness Of his benefactor, your father, with in
gratitude, by leaving his house and going no
one knew whether
report. He had reason for leaving my father
house, and her voice trembled and tear
stood in her eye.
! Just then gentleman advanced TO claim
htS band for the last cotillion. and the CONVEX
! satiUn was abruptly terminated. Charles re-
| signed her silently: but his heart was full.
II is strange how the lapse Of few years
beneath youth and manhood, will change the
! face and disguise the form; the slight STRIPPING
I that little while ago clambered on one knee,
we can scarcely recognise in the full, stately
| form, and staid demeanor of the man. So il
was with Charles Thompson, and no wonder
that Helen and her father could not see, in the
rich merchant Of the South, the poor lad who,
six years before, had left them with scarce a
dollar in his pocket.
twas the morning following the ball; and
Mr. and Mrs Merton and Helen were sitting in
the parlor-the former two engaged in dis
cussing some private affairs; the latter with
her head resting on her hand, apparently in
| deep thought. The servant entered and hand
1 ed Mr. Merton letter. He opened it, and az
! ter having perused it for few moments, ut
tered an exclamation ofjoy Both his com
panions looked up. Seemingly overcome with
| the excitement Of some unusually pleasing
news, he approached his daughter, and gently
paiting her on the cheek, said,
Some, come Helen dear cheer up; Charles,
our own dear Charles, has returned, is in the
! city, and will be here in half an hour-cheer
! UP my DEAR and he began to pace the floor.
/ See here he continued, as a splendid equip
age, with servants in livery, drove up 10 the
door, from which young gentleman alighted,
here is Mr. Thompson too, how glad ! shall
be TO TO introduce them to one another
Il don't see why you should be- said his
| wife, though, perhaps, your Charles, as you
call him,ma be as rich now as Mr. Thompson.
! You know he left word that he was going 20
seek his fortune and she pronounced the last
word with a sheer.
And he hopes he has found it madam en-
claimed Charles, who entered just at that mo-
nent, thanks be TO an all-wise providence
that directed me to my fathers house. II il
Charles that stands before your
With shrek of delight Helen threw her
self into his outstrctched arms, and wept tears
Of j0y' upon his bosom; while the old man
/ stood mo,ionless, but his eyes were wet and
! his lips quivered, though not with grief
When they had become somewhat compo-
/ sed, Charles related TO them what had occur
red since he left them The Joy that beamed
| in the swimming eyes of the delighted girl, ss
4 she hung fondly on her lovers arm, was only
I eqoaIied by the tenderness with which he re-
turned her look Of affection. How deep was
the bliss Of that moment, making amends by
/ its delight. for the long years OF absence.
4 II was not long before Charles renewed again
/ the boyish vows he bad pledged 70 Helen. and
I the hlnshiog girl listened smiling and weep
I ing by turns. Need il be added that in q
short time Helen and Charles were united a,
4 the altar, and that even the arisioeIaiic moth
er smiled upon the union Of her daughter with
} The soi dirahi Charles Ellision.