Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-06-05

what would have done y repeated Ger
trudc, passionately, Il would have died to
save him. Had ten thousand lives, would
peril them all for him at this moment, SO en-
lrely, SO dcvotcdly do love him =
Clara could have worshippcd her for this
burst Of enthusiasm, sanctionng as it did
her own purposcd devotion, aud with frmer
hands she tied the Mob Cap under her chin,
put on the green spcctaclcs, and drew the
hood over hcrhcad. Notwithstanding Cara's
distress, Gertrude could not forbcar smiling
at her antiquated little figure, wondering
whether she had ever looked as obsolete her
SELF Now speed thee, dear Clara, and
heaven bless thy purpose, whatever i, may
be- cried she, leading her down the steps of
the piazza.
Clara was obliged to gather her cloak round
her, as it trailcd to the ground and impcded
her walk. Then she recolccted that if so
aged person as she appeared to be were seen
running, IT would excite suspicion, and she
tried to fashion her movements to the char
acter she had assumed. She met scvcra,
boys, who terrified her by hallooing in her
ear, Good night, Grand mother-what will
you take for your spectacts 2 Without turn
ing her head, she walked on with quicker
steps till she arrived at the prison. She had
been there before, TO vista poor black wo-
man, who was very sick, and who had been
accused of an attempt TO poison a white ia
mily. She died in prison, and her innocence
was proved too late. She knew the taller
too, simple, kind-hcartcd man; and when
in ialtcring accents, which might well pass
for the trembling utterancc of age, she re-
qucStcd admitancc to the pedlar, ilat hate
full name almost chokcd Clara, for she had
never breathcd it aloud since she had first
known Rovcr,) the good ailer Immediately
granted her admission. Rover was seated in
a remote corner the gloomy apartment, his
head resting on his hand, the dim light scar
ccly defining the dark outline of his figure
He raised his eyes upon her entrance, and
they flashed with lamp-ikc hrillancy through
the shades that surrounded him. lie was in
danger and disgrace, and Clara felt that il
she had resolved to act heroic part, she
would do it in the true spirit of heroine
: She drew near him without speaking, Willie
lie with the courtesy which adorns prison
as mach drawing-room, rose and offered
her his seat, wondering what good old lady
was SO kind as to visit him in this extremity.
Clara sunk into the char, and gathering coll-
rngc now the critical moment WIS arrived,
united the strings of her cloak and cap, and
emerged ircm the disguise like the evening
sar from behind grey cloud.
( CLARA Stanley, by all that is lovclyn ex-
claimed he, and the graceful Pedlar knclt at
l.er feet. a bright, triumphant smile played
about his lips. welcome imprisonment,
danger, and death itself, if they bring will,
them consultations like this. You believe me
innocent, then added he, 'or dccmng me
guilty, have come to pity and -
TO savc' interrupted Clara, to save, be-
lic,ing you innocent. In this apparel you
can pass out undiscovcrcd and nv the wretch
cs who seek your life. As for me, there
is no danger. They will release me as soon
they Learn that am here
! What, leave You here alone in this dismal
place the long dark might, exposed to present
suffering and future canmny, that Imay elutlo
dangers which after all are imaginary, for
my life is in no peril can produce such
proofs of my innocence as will cover INV
accusrrs with Shame. No, no. cannot
leave this cell. 1t il transformed into the
garden Of Edrn--sinrr have here learned
what have hitherto dared t, doubt, the truth
the tenderness, the hcruism Of woman's
love-
'And shall have hravcd every thing
in vaiIn cried Clara, implorirelv Your
innocence will serve you nothing when law
in lis sirrngl, is once aimed against You.
Even in this very cell, saw Il poor creature
breathe her last, accused though gHilticss,
condemned and brokcn-hcar,cd. And |, |
shall he as safe here as in my own chamber.
/ The ailcr knows mc-mv mother has been
| Kind To bis children, and he will be Kind to
me; shall Immediately be released What,
still unfolding You have unbranded ne for
GOODNESS and pride, and fear Of the worries
ccnsurc-but who now is cold and proud, and
unwilling to incur ii debt Of gratitude :
| Rover liked his s.cadlast gaze ON Clara's
now glowing conntcnancc. She seemed
transformed. Her eyes, that hnd always
bowed abaslIcd beneath the leans Of his,
were rivctted incntly on his facc-and the
hand which had never willingly been ADAM
doncd To his hold, now caspcd his. in the en-
crgy other address.
Clara said he, and his voice ,rcmhlcd
with deep emotion, this is no time for ,rccu-
tion-on one condition only will ilv.-
Should my fame be cleared, and my char
arlcr proved upright and pure, will you al
low me to declare my love before the world
ana consent to unite your fate to mine how
ever poor and lowly it may be ?
Il VIII conscn, to any thing to obtain a
mothers sanction'rcplicdC Clara, in low bu, firm
accents then snatching up the cloak, ana
throwing it over lis shoulders, she en,rcatcd
him to hastcn,as footsteps were heard cchoinu
through the passage. There was no time to
be lost, and he hastily gathered the folds OF
cloak around him; but when he bent his head
for the mob cap and spcctaclcs, unconqucra-
bic miril struggled with the tumuliuous feel
ings excited in his bosom. Even Clara,
though wrought upon by thousand fears,
could not torbcar laughing at the mdicrous
eject OF the head-dress then she wcpt to
think she could have laughed at such "A mo-
mcn'. She was sure that Madame Laval
ette did not laugh when she liberated her
/ hnp l,s,,. al, ~