Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-11-04

doctor" said Che, with visible anguish,
ais there no hope!" .rr
Not of recovery, I.fear, though she may
llnger some time with us, and be better than
she is to-day"
Then Gods will be DONE" said the
young man, while a holy confidence tighten
ed up his face, now scarcely less pale than
that of his betrothed Lucy. .''... .....
Day after day the dear girl fingered, and
many sweet hours of converse did Clarence
and Lucy pass together once even she was
permitted to spend a few moments in the por-
tlco of the house, and as Clarence supported
her, and saw tint of health oyerspread her
check, hope grew strong in his heart But
Lucy doubted not that she should die speed
lily, and happily this conviction had reached
her heart ere Clarence came, so that the
agony Of her grief in prospect of separation
from him, had yielded to the bIissful antici-
patton OF heaven, that glorious cline where
she should, ere long, meet those from whom
twas more than death to part.
Dearest Lucy said Clarence, as they
stood gazing on the summers flowers, YOU
are better, love. May not our heavenly
Father yet spare YOU to me--to your moth
er-to cousin Ellen--to happiness. ..-.
'Ah Clarence, do not speak of this. 1t
will only end in deeper bitterness ] must
go-and Clarence, you must not mourn when
| exchange even this bright world for the
Paradise of Immortality
Clarence could not answer. lie pressed
her head and drew her closer to his throbbing
heart, and she resumed, pointing TO bright
cluster of amaranth. See there, Clarence,
is the emblem of the life and the Joys TO
which | am fastening Three
weeks had passed. 1t was again the evening
of the Sabbath | stood by the couch Of
Lucy May. Her mother, and Ellen sat on
either side, and Clarence Hamilton support
ed on pillow in his arms the head of the
fair girl. Disease had taken the citadel,
and we awaited its surrender 10 Death
The man of God, her pastor from child
hood now entered the room, and Lucy greet
ed him alectionately, aud when he said, is
ii well with the my daughter-ls it well with
thy soul ? she answered in clear aud
sweetIy confding tone Of voice
1t is well Blessed Redecmer, thou art
my only trust
Clarence nowrbent his head close to the
head of Lucy, aud whispered in her ear, but
so distinctly that we all heard
Lucy, since you may not be mine in life,
oh dearest, be mine in death, let me fol-
low you TO the grave as my welded wife,
and shall have the blissful consolation Of
anticipating reunion in Heaven.
The eye of the dying girl lighted up with
quick aud sudden Joy, as she smilngly an
swered.
1t is well. Clarence-I would fain bear
thy name before die ! We we're startled
at this strange request and answer, but no
heart or lip venturcd to oppose it. Lucy
then said
Mother, dear mother deny me not my
last request will you and Ellen dress me
in my bridal robe i will wear it to my
tomb Clarence also besonght Mrs. May
, to grant this wish, and let him win bride
and mother and she answered. -
AS you and Lucy will, but it will be-
: and her heart spoke-'it will be a mournful
J bridal.
; Lucy now motloned us from the room,
and we retired. Clarence was the first to
speak.
you will not blame me that i seek even
,
Oh, how much of bliss has been crowded
l into this one anticipation, and though it viii
} be indeed sad bridal it will sweeten tho
cup Of bitterness which is now pressed &c
; my lips.
I In a few minutes we re-entered that hal
{ lowed chamber. The light of day had fad
ed, and single lamp was burning on tn,
stand. Lucy was arrayed in muslin robe
which scarce outrivalled her cheek in white
: ness, save where the deep hectic, nov
i heightened by excitement, flushed it. Clar
e ence seated himself by her, and she wa
4 raised to sitting posture, and supported il
: his arms. She placed her wasted hand il
r his, and said, half playfully, half sadly, I'll
= worthless offering, Clarence.
r He pressed it to his fevered lips, his fac,
# pale and flushed by turns The miuiste
e arose and stood before them, and in few
: words and simple, united those two Lowell
k beings in tie which all felt must be brok
h EN- ere another sun should rise. Yet wa
that tie registered and acknowledged in hea
c ven. .I. ...... ..
As the holy man pronounced them 'on,
e flesh, and lifted up his hand and his voic,
e in benediction, Lucy put her feeble arm
= around Clarence, and in low voice muir
INJURED
It My husband ro . t
o MY wife responded Clarence, and thei
!, lips met in long and sweet embrace.
k We gave them congratulations through
d quick tears, exchanged the sweet kiss of ho
;, ly love, and friendship, and left the wedde
pair to a brief realization of bliss, of whic
we cannot tell the reader aught.
= That night before the last hour, the ange
d Ariel came as a messenger Of peace TO tina