Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-02-05
whose fathers house the conclavc had met.

intimate with Miss Danvers than any other
person." There was slight degree Of sig
nifcance, it might be of sarcasm in the tone
of the speaker.
at is true, have always liked Agnes
very much, Mr.. Dudley. have known her
long time, and though l have always
thought her old, still she has many good qua
lities, have often said to myself. Ii is not
reasonable to suppose that should suspect
the inquity Of her father, else of course l
should have given her up long ago."
"You do not mean to give her up now,
Miss Darrell, in her hour of advcrsity!" he
asked with earnestness.
"Rcally, Mr.. Dudley, don't know. 1t
is difficult task to denounce one early friend
but the Observation-Disclosures am distress
scd what to do. Will you advise me ~
81 advise you Does not your own wo-
mans heart prompt you to the course you
should pursue! Go to her Immediately;
weep with her if you cannot comfort; let
her see she has one friend left, for doubtless
she thinks herself totally deserted. And if
you can, prevail with her to return home
with YOU, and remain until after her fathers
trial"
"Sarah's parents will not consent to such
thing" exclaimed Hannah Goodwin, sand
| wonder any bod y that has regard for
her could propose it,"
"Parents not consent 10 cOuntcnancc and
protect a helpless and innocent girl whose
mother is dead, whose father is unjustly
charged with a preposterous crime! Let
them take care then, else their day of wo
will COME" cried the indignant young man (;
"arc you going, Miss Darrell = he asked
almost fcrcely.
Really, Mr.. Dudley, your manner is
enough TO trigMen any one. l cannot SO
alone"
81 will attend YOU" ne said more gently.
ooh well will get my bonnet. l would
risk much to please YOU" she said in a low
hesi,ating tone, AS she passed him.
"Thank you" he replied, but codly, and
instantly added, following her from the room,
"if had had sister should not have trou-
BLEED you; and thought you sincere in youi
professions Of friendship for Miss Danvrr,.'
81 am sincere"
Although ii was not particularly Aat,crng
to be addressed in a tone 50 measured and
indifferent by young man whose fortune
and whose character made him consider.
ed by the ladies as the best match in
Salem, still it was something TO be pre-
fcrrcd TO all others for an office nc would
have assigned to sister. Besides, he was
to b. her companion in her friendly embassy
and it was better that she should profcr aid
TO Agnes, than that he should. She knew
that he admired the minister's dauphter;--
she heard him say so more than once. I,
was to be her care that admiration should no,
become love. That would never do, tot
Miss Darrell aspired to be Mrs. Dudley,
herself.
Few words were exchanged as they pas
sed on to the house Of Mr. Danvcrs. Sarah
indeed, attempted some very pathetic re-
marks on the sad fate Of her dear friend, and
the impossibility that she could ever hold up
her head again after having a father tried
and condemned for sorccry Mr.. Dudley
however, neither condolcd with, nor cncou-
ragged her sympathy, but seemed chiefly an1.
ious to hurry on.
81 am actually out Of BREATH" she said
almost pettishly as they reached the door OF
the parsonage.
"You will have time 10 rest now" said
her companion ah.cntly. Agnes started
from her bowed position, as the servant an
nounced her visitors, ard .prnging forward
with an exclamation Of gratitude, graspcd the
hand of her friend.
III have been very wicked" she sobbed
81 imagined himself deserted by the whole
world, and God has sent you to me, dearest
Sarah. l thought you might fear to come
now, but you are here; and you will speak
to your father for me, and get him to use hi,
influence. Is he with you 7" she whispered
for the room was wholly dark; the poor cir
had been too miserable to think of ordering
candles. The attendant was more thought.
iul, and now entered with them.
"Mr. Dudley accompanied me. lol
have seen him believe" Seen him -
Had he not attended her beloved father,
ministry for the last six months, and Otter
come in the evening to learn preccpts of mo.
ralty and picty from his converse 7 Had h,
not gathered flowers for herself, and brought
volumes of poetry for her persual from hi
fathers library! True there were no Flora
Dictionaries then, and Moore and Byron had
not written; but had those sweet blossoms
skilliully selected and arranged, no meaning
Gould the old English poets wake no CHORD
of the heart by their melodies WAS the
language of true feeling less understood thcr
than now We wot not.
Miss Darrell said what she could think OF
t to allay her friends anguish, hut pcrhap.
+. the proof afforded BY her visi, at such tim,
that her attachment was not to he changed b,
f circumstances, was the most soothing cordia
r. she prollered. Dudley would no, for world
have undeceived her then, and was even
4 content to have his coming interpreted a
merely accidental. His words, however
| were calculated to encourage and console tn
r afflicted Agnes, and in her gratitude to both
n she involuntary so linked his real eloqucnc,
with the place coincidence of Sarah
:. that The former threw grace and characte
G around the latter, and in her reflections OF
O that evening, her friend acquired value il
d hcreycs, all her early Partially had hither
n never been able TO bestow upon her. SIN
d could not, however, be persuaded to lcav
l. her desolaic, but still dear home. 81 .ha
= be less unhappy here, than at any o,he