Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-01-28
lie treated her with unwonted kindness, but
he did not cease to p0tck her eperU


he did not cease to wdtch her euery
mouemcnf.
From the moment when Alice awakened
from the deep swoon into which she had
fallen at her fathers feet, sense Of deep
aud INCAPABLE injury took possession Of her
mind. Her former dread was converted
into something resembling hatred. and she
shuddered at his look and voice as If there
were a serpent's sting in both. 1t was long
before she regaincd health and strength
enough TO breathe once more the fresh air,
and wander amid the old oak coppices which
were the pride Of Arnolts-biggin. She had
no doubt in the faith of her lover, but she
feared lest he should have been removed
from Mearcy, and she sought out some
device by which TO convey to him token
of her allectionae fidelity. Chance favored
her wishes, and in despite of her fathers
watclfulnsss, letter breathing the very
soul of tenderness was exchanged between
them. Her plan now was fixed I; size deter
/ mined to affect returning cleerfulncss, and,
if possible, to deceive her father into the
belief that she had relinquishcd all hope,
and even all desire Of again beholding her
lover. Occupying herself with her birds
and flowers, she seemed once more the quiet
thoughtful maiden, such as she had been
wont to appear in her fathers sight The
old man was as unsuspecling as he was obdu-
rate. He knew nothing Of the gentlcr pas
sions, and he felt no surprise that love should
seem but as transient dream TO his gentle
daughter. lie fancied that his fearful anger
had wrough. its proper effect upon her mind,
and being accustomed TO behold his tyranni-
cal will continually obcycd, it did not appear
to him at all strange that Alice should have
subducd girlsh inclination when he had
forbidden its indulgence. Thrown quite of
his guard, he relaxed, his viglant watch, and
wilt II he learned that Charles NOVEL; had
been seen on the read to London, many
miles distant from his home. he permitted
. her to wander alone and unmolested whittier
her fancy led. This was all the young low
ers mad desired. Again they met IN the
Lovers Walk, again they exchanged
vows of mutual tenderness, and when Alice
related the tale of past cruelty and suffering,
the warm hearted Charles instantly pro-
posed clandcsline marriage as the only
means of rescuing her from the tyranny OF
, a parent. Alice had few scrup!cs to over
knew little, aud cared less, for the laws q
! maidrniy decorun,, and she had no sense o
a duty to restrain her from such an act Of disc.
, bcdience. She forgot the evils to which
such an unton must expose her lover, ant
f with her fathers curse yet ringing in he
p oars, and fathers anger as her only mar
:, riagc gift, she consented 10 become hi
bride.
1t was ust at the sunset Of lovely day
in autumn that Alice stole quietly from he
-. apartment. ALFRED in simple robe o
snowy white, her bright locks bound with ;
f., silken iil!et, she looked like some fair,
creature of the elements SO fair, so pale, ST
o delicate was her appearance. Every thing
a was clothed in the golden hucs Of that gor
n geous hour, and the very leaves fell rusllin
I, from the changing trees flashed like gems ii
q the rich Ugh Of s"no~.. Alice lnvoluntaril
- paused as she reached the entrance of tn
. Lovers Walk All without was full Q
che crful light, while within beneath tia
a over-arching canopy of faded foliage, reign
~ cd dim and son,bre twilight; for even a
, midday the sunbeans scarcely struggle
j. through the closely twncd branches an
J.. now, the slant rays which gilded the wood
/. and hills, flung no radiance into the secludr
n path. The melancholy shadow into whic
~ she was entering seemed almost like a
n, omen of future i'll, and it was not until he
!, lovers dark eyes nj de sunshine in tn
j. midst of shade that she could feel sufficient
+. ~ treasured to proceed. A priest from
T. distant parish had been procultd, and there
l. without the presence Of one supporin
~ lrend-wi,h the greenwood bow above ther
N instead of the vaulted mountaineering O
the grassy turf instead OF the silken hassocl
in the face of heaven and not before iii
;, holy altar, were the holy vows pronounce,
M But the ring, the symbol of eternal unio,
W had been forgotten, and one which Alice ha
l.. long worn as her only ornament, was sui
m sti,u,cd in It's stead. The bride shuddere
w as the hand of her lover placed it on her iil
Nv ger for such purpose. 1t was her mother
=, mourning ring, and the emblems of mortalil
n enamclled upon ITS golden circle were
no suited to bridal. Hurliedly was the solen
in ceremony concluded for the safety of a
dc parties rendered immediate separation NJ
q. cessary. With fervent embrace, IA pa
siona,c kiss of mingled rapture and pal
q, the youthful bridegroom parted from h
bo whom he scarce dared to believe 10 be i
,;s own forever. Tomorrow, sweet love-
Ina whispered, Tomorrow at this same hour "
IN, meet again, then shalt tl,on bid adieu f
ed ever to the home of thy carly and thy sa
re dcst years.
n They parted. With the breath Of Il
mt marriage vow yet warm upon their lips, al
of the kiss Of welded love yet thrilling in Il
Id carts Of both, they parted and, tn
cr neuer met again.
N In company with the priest, Charl
I'D Novel; pursued the road which led to {,
lr. town Of, on the the outskirts Of viii
they separated, and the bridegroom re,rac
bis steps towards Mearley Park. But
way led along little loo,bridge which Gre
scd the river Are the night was dark, a
a tempes, which had arisen as night clos
in. had swollen the waters Of the usua
"d quiet stream. When morning broke, I
49,. air body of the unfortunate youth was fou
md floating. stark and stiff, on the turbid nv
;r, The burial followed fearfully close upon I