Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-03-23

ne se,ersl month. Bot I thought Gertrude safe. with
mr before, faithful servant Your happiness is al m
end. ] reiurned-1 sooehi-f fouDd-snd this night
YOU VII bc In nv power, from which ,rus, YOU vii
not easily escape, and your offspring YOU never more
shall bchu.d"
Thus We considered ourselves no Longer safe where
NC were, add SGT out Immediately Tot London, where
VIC arrived In due tine. No one can pain, the anguish
that wfung our hearts when We thought Of our los, son
How many nights, have our prayers. and tears ascend
80 10 io throne Of grace, In behalf Of our darling son.
but the wound was yet 60 10 prubod deeper. our sor-
rows ended nd, here. About a month after our arriv-
al, Gertrude gave 10 my arms a lovely daughter. We
wcpi 81 her bath. for sorrow was mingled with our
iJoy. We occupied a room belonging to a wealthy
widow, WIN mentioned one day Of a worthy family,
near the city. who had that morning buried an infant.
she pointed out the spacious mansion 10 me, and soon
after retired. Tho same night this widow died OF a
coniagion which then prevailed in ! London. Gertrude
Showed but little signs Of life, and being convinced her
say on earth was short, induced US 10 commit our dear
b1bo 10 The arms OF s,rangers-knowi ing that suffering,
and perhaps death, would be its portion. should 1t re-
main with Us. ] accordingly Jeff 1t at the door of the
worthy people, who had recently lost their babe. hop
ing to excite Their sympathy, which believe l-did. /
saw II folded IN the arms Of a lovely woman-I stood
near enough to hear my little darling welcomed, well
as pitled. by this generous family. | returned to my
wife, with feelings, | can never describe. We both
Joined IN raising a levent petition for our babe, and
IT'S protectors, hoping 1t would soon be safe to make
ourselves known, and claim our child. Ny wife began
to recover gradually, when we almost repented the
rash act, OF giving away our infant, IN a manner which
only becomes the low, unfecliDg and vulgar. When
Gertrude had nearly recovered, we sat together, one
pleasant afternoon, near an open window, when a per-
son passing, turned and looked abruptly upon us. Ger
iiude shrieked aloud, and fed, knew not whittier.
As he approached, | recognized the Earl of Leiih,
Who entered the room where | was without ceremony,
and placing his hand upon me, commanded me to fol-
low him. resisted his threats, when he gave me a
blow which iolled me 10 the earth, and upon recover
ing my senses, | found myself in a tight carriage, which
conveyed me TO the castle in the wood. | remained
there several years, during which suffered every thing
but death. then effected my escape, and travelled
in search ofGertrude, but the wicked Earl again sought,
again imprisoned me. Bot thank heaven, | have again
escaped, and trust ! shall never again come within his
reach
Major Lee ceased speaking, but a tear trembled in
his eye, while another was forcing its way down his
cheek. Col. Harson made some enquiry, concerning
his daughters age-and mansion 10 which he convey
ed her. He answered to their satisfaction, when the
Col. and his wife arose, and taking EHvira by the hand,
said, Receive from US your long lost daughter
c heavenr cried he, did | not almost, before be-
ieve ~ fes-tn that charming coun;enance, | be-
hold the image Of thy lovely mother
Every beholder burst into tears, not one could be-
lieve what they witnessed. Major Lee pressed his
daughter 10 his heart, and for the first time, their tears
mingled together. At this time Ebert arose and said.
Who knows but ! 1 may call you father, look of this;
II is my mothers portrait, which certainly resembles
Elvira.'
The Major took the portrait, and said, 1t is surely
Gertrude's miniature-how came YOU by it,
1t was gwen me by a person, whom | was taught to
call uncle-the Baron de Strathearn, who said he re-
ceived il from an Earl, Il forgot his name) long before
came to reside with him. lie babe me keep it, say
ing my parents were unfortunate, and expected dead
Aiter a lew more enquiries concerning age-a par
tlcuiar mark on the left arm, &c, Ebert was acknowl-
edged the son Of Major Lee, the brother of Elvira, and
for the first time, both were locked in each others
arms.
All, said their father, my happiness would be COM
pleted, could your mother be a partaker of the happi-
ness now experience y
My mother" said Elvira rising hastily, NV moth
er! ! fancy, have seen her. Come, 90 with me to
yon conyent-'vlihin its sacred walls. is a beautiful be-
ing whom ! should be proud to call mother. saw her
once-but she saw not me. She knelt at the foot of
the altar and prayed for her dear husband, from whom
she was separated, by a cruel father; and for her dear
babes-l cannot wait 10 tell you all-it is ber-I know
il is
They repaired to the convent; and soon returned to
the cottage, with their best hopes realized. Major
Lee entered with his wife upon his arm, followed by
their children-and again there was a happy meeting.
After the happy ~grouphad become seated, a servant en-
tered, bearing a note from the Earl of I.eith, in which
ne oequeaihed his large estate to Gertrude, il she was
TO be found If not, IL was 10 be divided between his
heirs, If any existed, besides Elyira; il not, Elvira
came into possession of the whole. lie implored for.
glveness for the I'M Try he had done them. The ser
want informed them his master was in dreadful ago
MES, two days before he died. declaring he felt a hell
1N8N tNtAN -, 'AFN A' AhkF
he became more composed, hoping he said, God
would forgive him.
And the servant retired, Mrs. Lee informed the COM
plny, that al the time her husband was separated from
her, she fed and secreted herself-she heard her IA
Their, but answered not--she saw her husband convey
cd away, she knew not whittier. 4 SOON said she,
as ! ventured to qui, my hiding place, | Immediately
repaired to this village, and sought shelter in yon con
vent. ! related my history TO the Lady Abbess who
plying my sufietngs, protected and watched over me,
with a mothers care-and little did she think when
our lovely Elyira repaired thither. she was the Caugh-
ter OF the unfortunate Gertrude. o Elyira.' continued
she, tendcrly embracing her. had known ms daugh-
ter was under the same root, nursed by the same hand,
what 10Y would have filed the bosom Of thy then dis
tracted mo,her-but ! will not complain-heayen is
Just. and am satisfied -
She oeased-and Prince Lsvere taking the hand OF
Elyira, said, My friends, IL becomes my duty to reveal
4 secret, which, undoubtedly is unknown 10 YOU. |
have loved, ! still love your daughter. Two wears
since, ! made the confession 10 her, and was happy 10
ind a kindred spint, a pure soul, ~congeuial 10 my own.
10, my father had chosen the proud and naughty Lady
Isabella Wentworth, 10 become my bride, my future,
my bosom companion. IL ever filled me with horror,
20 think OF my approaching union although my heart
Was sul unie,iered, ] resolved TO obey nv father hon.
ing she would, IN time, become a being whom could
love. But soon as ! beheld Elyira, hope took her