Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-06-16
BY WIN. Z. RYTHER.
WILLOW DELL.
by LYDIA JANE PERSON.
(C0nclndcd J


Francisco, her cheeks were fresh with ex-
ercise, she had never looked more beautiful
He wondered that he could ever have deem
ed Francisco lovelier With all the fervor
of first and only affection, he laid at her
feet the heart he had so lately prohered to
Francisco, and was accepted without inqu-
ry as to his wealth or station, although he
had seduously avoided all mention of either
during his long sojourn in Willow Dell
ooh, have done wrong, very wrong
said Francisco, as soon as the tumult of
her feelings gave way to reflection, Il have
betrayed my sister Her outraged delicacy
never will forgive if she shall learn my folly.
He said shall be his sister Will he Of
fer Hannah the heart so lately rendered to
me! Oh, no he cannot And should he,
would such a heart make her happy? No,
no if he now turns to her he never loved
either of US; he is incapable of loving
But he will not do it. | have disgraced
myself and her, and he will leave US in dis
gust. Leave us Oh? how desoate we
should he without him; hope he will stay,
if it be for Hannahs sake alone
Give me Joy Francisco cried Piersol,
when they met at dinner dear Hannah has
consented to make you my dear and only
sister, The announcement came like a
drop of ice to her heart, thrilling it to keen
agony, but as it melted down over her bo-
som it quencted forever the love she had
heretofore borne him. She remembered
Hannah's suspicion, and that her eyes were
upon her. and with ii strong effort smother
ed her emotions, and smilingly wished them
all Joy But she felt distrust of the love
which could be so versatile, so easily trans
ferred from one object to another; and with
that distrust came painful fears for her sis
ters peace aud future happiness
A few days passed bissfuly away to the
affianced, and then Pierso announced his
intention of going to the city few weeks,
to apprize his friends of his engagement,
and prepare for the reception Of his bride
in his own magnificent mansion. Francis
ca grew pale at the announcement and she
looked mournfully at Hannah, but her trust
ing heart beamed eloquenty from her tear
ful eyes, and Francisco hoped that all might
end well.
You will not let Hannah forget me when
am away, will you sis 2 said Piersol to
Francisco.
we shall remember You only too long
and too fondly,' she replied, for ! much
fear that in the city, with its gliltering So
ciety, you will lose all remembrance of the
fairies of Willow DELL
You wrong me, indeed, Francisco, he
SAID Il have been familiar with the tinsel
of wealth and fashion, and amid its most
dazzling splendor my heart found enpti-
ness, and restless longing for some form
of real, that is natural loneliness I'll had
remained in the circles of fashion forever |
could never have loved, here in this Eden
of nature have found that for which my
soul thrsted; here have found woman in
her true character, pure, tender and true
and my heart has enshrined the treasure for
which it so ardently painted. love, and
love forever Therefore do not doubt
me, but cherish my memory in faith and
truth until | come again.
4 do not, | cannot doubt YOU cried
Hannah, Il will metc your love by my own
hearts measure, and be happy even when
you are away.
Bless you, my own, my pnre hearted
your faith in my fidelity is the best pledge
of your own 10 me- And thus the time
passed until the day appointed for the part
ing. When the time for the farewell drew
near, Hannah's fortitude utterly forsook her
Trembling, fainting, she hung upon hi:
arm; coniuring him in broken words to be
careful of his health, and to return as soor
as possible, 4 will, will he answered
and his anguish at parting seemed lost il
the triumph of finding himself so devotedly
loved by such gulelcss and tender heart
Francisco looked on them with troubled
eyes and pale cheeks, while her bosom wal
cold with sorrowful forebodngs.
Farewell he said, as he mounted hi,
steed, the snow-drop shall be to you m,
bird shall recall me to the paradise o
Willow DELL He rode gaily away until a
the point of the hill, where the traveller los
sight of the valley. Here he paused anc
turned. Hannah stood on little eminenc,
in front of the dwelling, her bright curl
waving round her pearly face and shoulders
her arms extended toward him, and he
robes cleaning in the morning sunshin
like the streaming splendor of a morning
cloud A step behind her, leaning agains
the trunk of giant elm, that in summe
shaded that beautiful knoll, stood Francisco
her arms folded over her bosom, and he
attitude declaring that her eyes were fxe
upon the EARTH
How beautiful he cried, that picture Q
exquisite loveliness will glow upon my hear
forever.
And he was gone-Francisca supports
her sobbing sister into the house, and use
every art to ill her bosom with an assn
rance which she herself felt not.
Slowly and heavily passed the days j
Willow Dell, although every week brough
letter from Piersol, until the fourth week
Nul, Il 4 - Ill. looc