Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-12-15

he but once he satisfied of this, how patry the re-
turn, how poor would be the best that he could
offer for her virgin trusl What was his wealth
compared with that !? But how be sure and salts
fed Ask, and be refused? Refused and then
denied the privilege 10 gaze upon her face, and to
finger hour after hour upon the melody which, |
flowing from her fair lips, had so long charmed
bewdered him TO be shut out for ever from
the JOY which had become a part of him; with
which, already, in bis dreams, he had connected
all that remained to him as yet OF life tits true,
James Mildred old enough to be sweet Mar
garels father but for his heart, with all its throb
blngs and nnxeties, it might have been the young
girls younger brothers. lucky moment was II
for Mildred, when he thought of seeking counsel
from the straight forward and plain speaking Off
Ger. hint suliced to make the parent wise aud
10 draw from him the blunt assurance that Mil
dred was n son. in Jaw to make father proud aud
happy. " / never liked, my friend, superlluous
words" said he "you have my consent, Inlnd
TINT, when you have settled matters with the lass"
1t was very few hours after the above words
were spoken, that either by design or chance, Mil
dred and Margaret found themselves together
The lieutenant aud his younger daughter were
from home, and Margaret was seated in the ami-
~ pNrlor, engaged in profitable work, us usua-
Upon eneriug the room, the lover saw ltnmedi-
ateIy that Graham had committed him. His ca
sy and accustomed step had never called Il blush
into the maidens check. Wherefore should II
now? lie felt the coming and dreaded crisis al
ready near, and that lis fate was hanging on her
lips. Ills heart f1utered, aud he became sighdy
perturbed; but he sat down manuy, determined
to await the Issue. Margaret welcomed him with
more restraint than was her wont, but not-he
thought and hopcd-less cordially. Maidens are
wilul and perverse. Why should she hold her
head down, as she had never done before? Why
strain her eyes upon her work, and ply her nee
die as though her life depended on the haste with
which she wrought? Thus might she receive
foe; better treatment surely meriIed SO good
friend.
Miss GRAHAM" said, at length, the resoute yet
timid man, do judge rightly? Your father has
| communicated TO YOU our mornings CONVERSE
| ton ?"
lie has, sir" answered Margaret, too softly for
! any but q lovers ear.
"Then pardon Inc, dear lady, continued Mil
dred, ginning confidence, as he was bound to do,
elf presume TO add all that simple and an non
est man can proiier to the woman he adores.
am too old--thal is TO say, have seen too much
! OF life, perhaps to be able 70 address you now in
language that is fitting. But, believe me- dear
Miss Graham, en- sensible OF your charms, es.
TEEN your character, love you ardenty. | am
aware OF my presumption. ] am bold to approach
you as II sutor; but my happiness depends upon
your word, and beg you to pronounce it. Dis
miss me, and will trouble you no longer will
endeavor 10 forget you-to forget that beheld
you-thal ever nourlshed passion which has
made life sweeter TO me than believed it could
| become ; Dul II, on tile DINER ntnu-'
How strange X is that we still create trouble in
q world that already abounds with them! Here
had Mildred lived in perpetual fever for months
| together teazng and trelling himself with ankle
ties and doubts while, as IL reasonable being he
ought to have been cheerful and merry as lark
singing at the gate of heaven In the midst of his
Grafton, the gentle Magaret resigned her work,
and wept. ! say no more. will not even add
that she had been. prepared 10 weep for months
beiore-that she had gown half fearful, half an
CRY at the long deIuy- that she was woman and
ambtious--that she had heard of Nlildreds mIne
of wealth, and onged to share il with him. Snch
secrets, gentle reader, might if revealed, altaht
The lady's character. therefore choose TO keep
them 10 myself 1t is very certain that Mildred
was forth with accepted, and that, after u court
ship of three months, he led 10 the altar woman
Of whose beauty and talents a monarch might
Justly have been proud 1t is not to the purpose
of this narrative TO describe the wedding guests
and garments-lhe sumptu0us breakiasl--lhe con.
tinental tour. 1t fair to look at, that
suspicious bridal morn. The eutenani's unaf-
iected joy-lhe bridegroom's blssful pride-the
lady's modesty, and, shall | call iI?-triumph-
struggling through it; those, and other matters,
+, might employ an idle dalIying pen, but must
not now arrest one busy with more serious work.
, Far different are the circumstances and season
which call for our regard. We leave The lovers
in their bridal bower, aud pensiyely approach the
chamber of sickness and death.
the verge of sixty, and seems more aged, for he is
I bowed down with bodily disease and pain His
wife, not thirty yet looks not an hour older than
0 when we saw her last, dressed like queen for
q her espousal. She is more beautiful, the full
developed rose in grace surpasses the delicate and
, still expanding bud but there she is, the same
: young Margaret. How have they passed the mar.
/ ried decade, how both fulfilled their several duties
$ may be gathered from q desert pton of hldred'>
] latest moments. He lies almost exhausted, in his
bed Of suffering, and only at shot intervals cal
n find strength sufficient to make his wishes known
b to one who, since he was boy has been faith
b full and constant friend He is his comforter and
n physician now. ,
"You have not told me- MILFORD" said Mildred
+ in a moment OF physical repose, "you have no
d told me yet now long. Let me, | enplore you
n hear the truth. ! am not afraid TO die. Is there
n any hope at all ?"
n The physicians lip quivered with aflecIionatt
IS grief, but did not move in answer
j. "There is no hope, them" continued the vast
|, ing invalid. 81 believe i'll believe il. But tel
d me, dearest friend how long may this endufe?"
il 81 cannot say" replied the doctor; 'a day o.
d two, perhaps: | fear not longer, Mildred
= "Fear mol, old friend, said Mildred. " DO no
j. fear. thank my God there is an end Of it,"
At els your mind happy, Mildred ?" asked lh
d physician, :, .
n all men. lrepent me heartily Of my sins | plac
I. my hopes in my redeenier. feel that he will no
oil desert me. did never fear death, MILFORD,
lg can smile upon him now"
.. "Hou will see Clergyman p
al eyes, Milford, an hour hence not now
l. have sent her away that ! may hear the wors
or from YOU She must be recalled and know lhu
p all is fixed and over. We will pray together
dear, faithful Margnret-sweet, patient nurse
err Heaven bless her
st " She is TO be ped, Mildred. To die, is tn
es common lot. We not oil doomed TO mour
id the loss OF our beloved ones!"
IS "But, MILFORD, you will be good and kind t
1t. her, aud console her for my loss. You are IN
executor and dearest friend. You will have re
OF gard 10 my dying words and watch over her. b
4 father and brother TO her. You will-will yo
81 mol"