Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-10-14


of your Imprisonment, if consistent with
your will, to give me the information
Il was confined as il were without cause
but if you desire, | will relate little Of my
history. AT the age of tweuty-one | was
left an orphan, with large estate at my dis.
posal. then left my native place, and rav-
cIled over many countries, but found nothing
to disturb my buoyant heart until became
acquainted with Lady Gertrude, the beau
tlul daughter Of our cruel prosecutor, whom
no sooner saw than loved Ia due time
confessed my attachment, and was happy to
find my love returned still, when we were
together some secret seemed to hang upon
the mind of Gertrude. While conversing
together ono evening, in beautiful arbor,
perceived her frame much agitated she
spoke not, neither did she move. | gazed
upon her marble features for a moment-her
looks alarmed me, aud springing forward
caught her to my bosom. Could drop the
curtain here, could | draw a veil over the
rest of my life, this heart would be at ease
but that can never, never be. As | held
Gertrude to my heart, the sound Of footsteps
arrested our attention, and upon looking up,
her father stood before us. 4 have caught
you at last, said he, at the same instant
snatchlng his daughter from my arms, and
conveying her away then entered the
thick wood, and as night came on, sought
shelter in an old hovel, a short distance from
this castle. had not long been in this place,
when | discovered light at distance, and
soon perceived a number of horsemen adj
vancng. As they approached, | bchCld the
Earl of Leith, bearing his daughter in his
arms, accompanied by several armed men,
They passed the place where | lay conceal
ed, after which arose and followed at dis
lance. They soon came to this old castle
and | saw my Gertrude conveyed into this
gloomy abode | knew not what TO do
to rescue her from her tyrant father, WINS my
determination, but how to effect my purpose
knew not. left the wood that night, and
repaired to a small village, where procured
provision. As the shades Of night once
more began TO gather around | again fed
to my hiding place from whence | could
watch the movements of the inmates Of the
castle. As the pale moon arose in the heay-
ems, and the stars family glimmcred over my
head, saw the Earl, with his armed men
iNuNN thS NASAit, anu hNiC sppl IOSt III tue
deep wood Presently the thick clouds gath
cred around, and seemed to threaten an APP
preaching storm. The moon was soon yelled
in darkness-the stars Disappeared one after
anothcr-the lightning fashed-the thunder
rolled in awful peals, aud the earth seemed
shaken from her foundation.
As | approached the castle, saw an old
servant securing one Of the heavy iron
gates, of whom | enqnred if could be ac-
commodated with lodgings i'll his master $
castle.
Il should be very willing to accommodate
you, SIR said he, had not my master forbid
US admitting any person during his absence.
How many persons are there in the cas-
tle1now 2 said l.
Three servants, sir, beside myself
And when does your master returnr
In two days, sir
well, my old man, cannot you let me
spend the night with you, for all this money,
said |, taking out handful of silver, and
not let any one know it but yourselfP
He looked at the silver and consented.
And will You convey me to Lady Ger
trude's apartment whispered
ISdhf hNltubt WIZ arc you NHlt az
you know Of Lady Gertrude ?
Il am her particular friend, and must see
her, no person shall ever know it, assure
you-here, take another handful Of silver
and conduct me to her
Come follow me, then, bnt my life de-
ponds upon the secret
We entered the caste-the door was open
ed which led to Gertrude's apartment, and
| beheld her in kneeling POSTURE her love.
y face believed with tears. She arose, as
entered, and motioned the servant to retire
seated myself by her side and after relat
ing the means | took to gain admission, SHE
spoke thus:
Dear Gustayus, think my life of suffer
ing is almost at an end. | feel my spirits
daily waste away am not what | once
was, happy, buoyant, and bright. You APP
peared to look upon me with wonder the last
time we met, just before my father came
because you saw change in my counter.
ance. | have long kept the secret lurking
in nv bosom, but now | will tell you all.
have not known what true enjoyment is since
my dear mother took her flight to the LAND
Of souls. She was tender and affectionate
and with her | enjoyed repose. But my
father spared not the cruel hand of tyranl
from my sainted mother; but in sickness
and distress no consolation could be afford
ed from the one who had promised to love
and protect her through life. Thus gre
brough her to an early grave. While il
the agonies of death, she commended me tc
Heaven, where, she said, she soon should
rest But my father sat like statue--nei
ther did her last farewell soften his heart, OIL
mosten his eyes. She soon breathed heI
soul away, while | was left to mourn hel
loss