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

a ball from an unknown person, pierced the
heart of the villain, and stopped his vilC
career, just as he attempted to seize my
hand. Search was Immediately made but
the murderer was not to be found when my
father, in his anger, swore | should never
marry. That was what clouded my brow
Gustavus, to think, love and am beloved
and doomed to be separated from the object
of my choice
Gracious Heaven said /, can it be
possible it was my Gertrude delivered from
that prolessed ibertine ?
You 2 replied she, 1T cannot be-
1T was this very arm, that stretched H.
self out, to deliver you from a living death
| saw you, as you entered the chapel heard
your sighs-l walked carefully forward
heard your father threaten and command,
but you still refused pitied your suffer-
ings, and determined TO put an end to your
misery, by terminating the life OF the mon
ster, which did. saw not your face, and
never, until this moment did know i; was
my Gertrude | relieved. And now tell me,
can hope to receive thy hand with thy
heart, my fair lady 2
Would to Heaven it was in my power to
bestow it upon you, Gustayus = replied she.
then proposed a clandestine union :
when, after few modest refnsals. she con-
scented. The old servant was called in, whom
we induced to accompany us We accord
ingly left the castle, as the old clock struck
twelve. We arrived at a small village about
sunrise, where before the sacred altar. we
plightcd our flows of future constaucv and
love. We then repaired to an obscure cot
tage, several miles distant, hoping to pass
the remainder of our days in seclusion. The
old servant died in a short time, and we
found ourselves alone, enjoying the sweets
of connublal felicity
Major Gustavus Lee would have continued
his narrative, had not the door leading TO
Elyra's apartment suddenly opened, and the
Earl stood before her. She instantly closed
the shutter; frightened, she knew not why,
she sank to the earth.
Arise girl said TIE Earl, in a voice OF
thunder thy doom is fixed, and thou shalt
die Elvlra plead for mercy but she be-
sought a monarch, into the dark rccesses oil
whose heart, the angel of mercy never shonc
He turned deaf ear TO her cry, and left the
room.
Soon as the Earl reached the hall, bell
was rung, and every servant appeared.
Il have called you together, said he, TO
see upon whom the lot will fall, to convey
this female prisoner. from the castle into the
wood and there sever her head from her
BODY leaving her for the wild beasts to
tramplc under foot and devour.'
The servants then cast lots, and the lot
fell upon old John.
An = said John, Il will do it tomorrow
night
But YOU know leave the castle to-mor-
row. said the Earl, why not tonight John p
% nothing, master, only tomorrow | am
fifty years Old and am going to give a treat
to my friends, and thought ! should have
many things to remember, Nhen got TO be
old, that did the day was fifty, that's all
master
"Wel, John, can trust you if am gone,
so do as you please"
Thus the plan was fixed and on the fol-
lowing day the Earl left the castle. Old
John Immediately repaired to Elvira, with
pleasure beamng in his counenance, and
informed her of the means he had TO effect
her escape,
should be in as great danger of losing my
life, in the wood tonight, by the wild beasts,
as | should to remain here Release Maj
Lee, he can arm, and defend hImsell-he
will fly TO my friends, and my liberation will
then prove certain"
As the day advanced John commenced
his treat, mixing an opiate with the liquor
in order to stupefy his fellow servants, that
he might be more sure OF success. AT length
the day closed, and Major Lee, disguised in
Elviras hood, veil, and mantle, quit the cas-.
tie unobserved by any Of the servants. lie
did not find his way through the wood for
tMo days but when he succeeded, he Jour.
neyed two days longer ere he reached Col
Harson's cottage.
On the sixth day after the EarPs depar-
ture, he was discovered by old John at dis
lance, who Immediately fed and secreted
himself His return filled him with horror
for he had hoped to have seen Elvira liberia.
ted, and he knew their death was sure
should their plot be discovered. At length
the Earl entered the castle, after which
John heard the woods echo, and re-echo
with his name, but he answered not.
"Here is some mystery" said the Earl
who Immediately repaired to the room
which he expected to find vacant, when 10
Elvira met his eye
"Death and fury" cried he, "what does
all this mean! Does she expect to escape
my vengeance! | swear she never shall
Here, take her from thence, and execute hen
before my eyes"
Elvira had swooned away in the mean
time, and knew not when she was dragged
C.. L.. ..,,rnrnhln hnh Lar h.,nL 80.