The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-02-01


pered too, that it would be too plainly exhibit
ing his weakness. to shrink from the interview.
!. He nerved himself for the task, and the even
ing preceding that fixed for his departure. he
called with the intention of bidding her a
hasty adeu, but contrary to his expectation,
he found her alone. The cold austerity of
, manner which he had determined to assume,
faded before the reception he met with, and
seating himself beside her, he for a time for
got the object of his visit.
81 am glad to find you alone this evening"
he said at length as he laid aside the guitar,
with which she had been accompanying her
voice. in one of his favorite songs.
THAT is pleasure should not have en-
Ijoyed very often of late, Frank, if had de-
pended on you for company" replied Ellen.
"These long intervals between your visits are
unkind; surely have not been so unfortunate
as TO offend your
''No Ellen" replied he, ''bu b. what have
witnessed during the last three or four visits
which have made, should suppose you were
not likely to suffer for want of company"
There was something of reproach in the
half playful tone in which he uttered these
words. and she was not slow to perceive it.
"Frank," she observed, after looking at him
for moment in silence, "when Ellen Munroe
forgets her old friends, it will be time to re.
proach her with treating new ones with that
courtesy to which they are entitled. | had
not expected this from you "
81 mean not so, Elem" he hastily remark
ed, 81 only intended-but no matter-I have
no reproaches to make; if had they would
be but i'll suited to farewell interview. have
come to bid you adieu, and forever
"Frank, surely you jest" returned she
"what means this! you are angry, and at me
we must not part thus"
81 am not angry, Ellen" he replied, and his
assumed firmness fast desertirg him. 81 have
ne cause for anger, not even the slightest;and
believe me, Ellen, it would be no light cause
that would excite anangry feeling in my breast
towards you; but we part TO night most proba-
bly, forever. Tomorrow depart for Texas"
She spoke not, yet her looks were more Ell.
oquent than words could possibly have BEEN
He could not but understand it; it told him
that the ties which the long sunny years of
childhood had entwened around them, were
yet answered; that with her as with him, the
heart was unchanged. His vows, his pride,
his fears were all forgotten, as he poured forth
the wild tale of his love. That night he re-
turned home the accepted suitor of Ellen
Munroe.
Though her father might not have approved
of her choice, yet he loved her too fondIy to
thwart her inclinations in matter so momcn.
tous to her future happiness, and his consent
was freely given 10 their union. 1t was then
late in the fall and day was fixed in the en-
suing spring for their nuptiaIs. But his day
dreams of felicity were destined to be brief;
ono month from the period of the interview re-
lated, saw him incarcerated in a dungeon up. !
on the charge that heinous and fearful crime !
--wlllul and deliberate murder! The evidence |
against him wholly circumstan;ial, but at
the same time so conclusive in its nature, as
almost to preclude The possibility of his inno- !
ccnce.
The circumstances were these: A quarrel |
had taken place between himself and Captain |
Henderson OF the army, one of the rejected |
sutors of Ellen. The quarrel had been doubtless
sought by the soldier in moment of pique, on
first learning OF the success of his rival; a
challenge passed, and a day was assigned for
meeting The evening preceding the appoint |
cd day, Henderson was found murdered BY the |
road side; as short dostance from HIM. was |
discovered, concealed among the leaves, a !
dirk, known by many as the property of Ray
mond, and which had been seen in his pos
session on the morning of the murder. Raw |
mond was also seen coming from the woods in |
which the body was found a few Hours
before the discovery. An examination of the |
wounds of the murdered man, discovered that |
he had been attacked from behind, and show i
ed beyond doubt that Raymond's dirk was the
weapon with which they had been inflicted
\ CIR Sfap HI n
weight with many, was the fact of his making
no preparation for the approaching duel by /
'practicing" as ii is technically called among
duelists. Opposed to this overwhelming mass
of crcumstantial testimony. he had nothing
to offer but the clearest evidence of an un-
blemished character from the earliest infancy
up TO the moment of his incarceration.
There was but one opinion as to his guilt; !
all cuncurred inpronouncing him cold blood. !
ed and cowardly assassin.
"Whither are you going, Elem" said Judge
Munroe to his daughter, as she passed him in
the hall in the afternoon of the day following
the murder. "Wherefore have YOU your sun
bonnet and your cloak!" Surely you are not
going out thro' the rain?"
81 am going to see him, father" she replied
in voice husky with emotion, but breathing
determined resolution in every tone.
MY daughter, dearest child, you must think
OF HIM no MORE" exclaimed the old man.
bursting into tears, and throwing his arms a.
round her neck. 1t was the first time the sub.
Ject had been mentioned, and indeed, the first
time he had seen her since the fatal discovery. |
"Father," exclaimed the maiden. in the firm
but resolute tone in which she had first spoken
and facing him, with her arms folding on mis-
breast, Il cannot, dare not, obey Won: INNS,