The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-12-13

oi hlhrSuerltc paZZa IN 'front.' oil the window, ana
jalouSe screened the front from the devourng heat
of the sun
Theodore approached the window on tiptoe--cau-
tiously opened the jatouSie, and looked n-Niarguer-
tie was not there. He then took the serpent from
the hands Of Altar Gul-who it seemed, through an
excess Of precnution, first bruised the neck of the
serpent the window frame. Theodore hid the
serpent whose brilliant hues had already become tar
nished by death, beneath tho dressing table lie then
retired and closed the jaiousie AS he turned away
he met Colonel Willis, who laughed heartily at the
trick which Theodore was playing Marguerite.
The room which was appropriated to Marguerite,
was truly the asylum cf innocence. The hand Of
mother had been there 1t seen in all the e|e-
giant and useful furniture which dccked the apartment
The little bed, curtained with white gauze those
succeed walls, polished and shining as brilliant as
Paran marbld-that harp, and table covered with mu
sic books-that little dressing glass those silken
robes-that cross of mother of pearlthosc jewellcd
ornaments-In word all those trang things which
are precious to young girl, whispered a tale of
innocence, Love and Happiness.
The door opened and Marguerite entered. She seat
ed herself before the dressing tabe-but saw not the
reptile beneath it. While she arranged her hair, and
essayed ribbon which Theodore had praised she
sang the song which she had been taught by her low
''To day. solioquised the lovely GIRL "I must
appear as beautiful as possible. Tomorrow shall
belong TO another. o Theodore! With what dcyo-
ton he loves me- Nothing add to my happiness -
She approached so near to the glass to judge the
effect of the ribbon, that her breath ta,nished the bril-
liant surface Of the nirror-then with her finger she
payiuy and smiingy traced upon the glass the name
ofTHEoDoRE.
slight noise the window awakened her from
the delicious reverie. She turned towards it. blush
ing lest her dearest had been discovered But
the pa!eness of death instantly came over her fea-
lures She convulsivey threw her hands before her,
and tried to rise-but she could not Her trembling
limbs refused TO sustain her, and she fell back into
her chair The unhappy girl peering through
the jaiousie the head Of an serpent!
In moment he was lost among the flowers, which
were tastefully arranged before the window.
His disappearance gave strength to Marguer-
lite, who rushed towards the door, which opened into
the gallery screaming "Help mother, mother, help!
Here is monstrous serpent! -
But her parents and her lover held the door out
sideand laughed at what they considered to be her
imaginary fears. "Well done, my girl said Colon
ell Willis cannot you little louder? he
snake will not eat you, III engage-poor little thing
How frightened she appears to be -
"Marguerie-I am ashamed of you,'' said her
mother. "The serpent will not hurt you. 1t is dead.
But her cries continued
''AIy dear NIargnerite,' said Theodore s.don't
be alarmed. Iput it there myself-and you shall
give me kiss for my pains, sweet girI.''
Meanwhile the hdeous left the flowers
and gl!ded into the Marguerite finding her
cries for assistance of no avail, uttered fond cry
and fell senseless the floor. The serpent raised
its head, and for seemed to be reconnoiter-
ing the apartment. But when it saw its companion
dead the floor, its eyes absolutely sparled with
rage 1t sent forth loud and long kiss, and advanc-
ed towards the unfortunate girl.
With rapidty almost uncomfortable, the hideous
reptile twned itself around the graceful limbs and
syIphnke form of Marguerite. Its cold and Shiny
neck rested against the snowy bosom Of its victim,
and there fastened its vcnomous fungs
The bapless girl, restored to consciousness by the
agonizns pain ofthe wound, opened her eyes, but
the first object which her view, was the horrd
head of the REPTILE swollen with rage-s ey es flash
ing fro-and its open mouth display ing its crooked
anu ueddl)
Mother Mother dear molher!'' family scream
ed the dying girl
But half suppressed laugh was the response to
her convulsive cry The jaiousie was slowly opened
and Altar Gul looked in at the window. His eyc
glared with magnancy and triumph
elizabeth Elizabeth 20 said Mrs Willis She
answers not-perhups she has 1fanted with terror
'ssilly gr'' said the Colonel "But will open
the door and sec what is the matter''
Some heavy object lay against the door. He gave
"a violent push, and entered the chamber, followed
by Mrs Willis and Theodore But who paint
the agony Of the parents and the lover-when they
found they had stumbled over the dead body of the
unfortunate Marguerite.
AS they entered the apartment the serpent was
seen to glide out at the window.
A man of DEEDS, and not of WOrds.-An Athe-
MAN who wanted eoquence, but who was an able
and brave man. when one of his countrymen had, in
n brilliant Speech promised great things, got up and