Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-12-08


~, Corintha, his untiring devotion deserved this
slight reward?
Go on, said her companion, in low voice.
he did not chide thee doubtless; neither will
H.
NO, for he was pale and cold as marble, and
never stirred he had tainted away through ex-
haustion, and as hung francally over him, the
whole truth burst ut once upon my mind-he was
Utterly dying inch by inch for me. 1t was vain
hope to think that my father would abate one iota
OF his demands; ever since | can remember, he
has mnde it his proudest boast never to go back
from his word. But one way remained by which
he might be saved, and though my own happi-
ness was to be the sacrifice, did not shrink from
1t. And yet was bat bad peader, for ! chung
to him, even while | suppcaled upon my knees
that he would yield me up; md while my lips
prayed him to renounce aud forget me, my heart
drank IN with wild and selfish Joy every burn
ing and passionate VOW Perhaps he saw the
struggle, for he only smiled, called mo n fond,
foolish child, who knew not what asked; and,
after seeing me to my home, went back, with his
thin, hollow cheeks, and feeble step, to toll again,
as he had done for months, until dawn. And
then, in my despair, remembered you, and came
hlther to ask your aid, for well knew tho value
he always sets upon your advice
And now that all is over, and you have los,
him forever, can yon still rejoice p
All, yes for he will rest tonight for the first
time for months, md soon be quite we'll again. for
'hey 'ei' ihe IL IS rest only thai he wants.
But yourself lone?'
No matter for me- said the girl let us think
only Of him' And this was woman's love in
those ancient times Is it less pure--ess self
sacrificing, even 10 this day. We think not.
May come and see you sometimesi asked
lone c6resslngly, as they parted at length. 1t
would be such happiness when are quite alone
IL might talk occasionally Of him whom we both
loved.'
Ah who told you that, grli' exclaimed her
companion, wildly.
MAY, is ii not so !? True, ho was not your be.
lrothed; but there are many kinds ofaflrction'
You are right, my sweet lionel said Coriniha,
kissing her lomdly.
My love for Myrou is not like yoursn
lhe young girl turned away with Il smile upon
her white lips but she was no heroine aud when
she reached home she flung herself down upon
the ground, and wept in passionate abandonment
OF gref, while The daughter OF Dbutades returned
quietly to her work.
st is Well murmured she, lone is worthy Of
him
For the first time for many weeks, Myron came
that night, us Of old. But the potter was still
busy in his workshop and Corinlha from home
her return, however, being momentarily expected,
lie sat down to await il, ahd, weary aud exhausted,
fell fast asleep. Although pale, and worn, and
holioweyed with much toll, his features, even in
sunber, had bright and happy expression, and
once or twice he smiled if his dreams we're
pleasant ones. 1t was long since he had slept
thus soundly; even Corntha's return failed 10
awaken him, or the burning tears which fell upon
his brow as she bent over him. Was she weep-
ing to see how changed he had become? Or did
the vision of poor lone, and her lover in his lone
~ workshop, come sadly back 10 her heart?
AS The young Greek slnmbered thus, his fine
aid strongly marked profile was distinctly rehec-
ted on the wall of The apartment, and Corintb
perceiying it, sketcbed the outlines in charcoal
n blnI nd han,
10 her father who had jus, entered, asked him It
was not an excellent likeness. Myron awoke ut
the sound OF her glad voice. .I..
'One noment!' exclaimed she: There have
not caught the very curve Of that proud lip p
Ii is admirable y said Dibutades; and even
Myion smiled a This rude sketch of himself, for
he could smile now. Some unknown friend had
sent him the very sum required 10y the ron-hear-
led father OF lone, who had now no longer any
excuse for delaying their nuptals, or the girl for
conceaIing her deep and passionate tenderness
Perhaps lhey were all the happier Tor the brief
cloud which had darkened over The sunshine of
their lives, since II had taught them how dear they
were 10 each other.
And can you form no guess as TO whom you
are indebted for this great kindness 7? asked Dlbu-
tades.
None | believe i, to be the acc of the gods
themselves, in pity to the prayers aud tears OF my
poor lone"
Such things have been, replied the old potter
with solemn carnestness. But his dau ghter SEEM
ed less superslous, tor she smiled with sad
scorn, and spoke on other topics.
But the young lone-whal pen can hope to do
justice 10 her feelings when she found that the
sacrifice would not he demanded of her That
she was free TO love him again, and more than all
10 let him see that she dill, aud had only to nurse
him to health. And yet had need been, she
would have died for him without murlnur, nor
her fate been singular one for it is, with some
few rare EXCEPTIONS the common doom Of wo-
munhoOd.
In the nnucen, Joy of her heart she went early
the following morning to tell the good news TO her
kiud friend Corintha, aud ask for an explanation
OF much that had puzzled her in their interview
but the door was fastened, and, her gentle request
tor abundance falling 10 elicit any reply, she con-
clnded that she must be out. such, however
was not the case the daughter of Dbuindes was
too busy TO be disturbed, and would not, perhups,
that every one should see the nature Of her occ,i-
patton. she was moulding figure in clay from
the rude sketch before her, and 1t was wonderful
the genius she displayed IN this strange employ
ment. She sat thus ever since day break but
she put II away whcn evening came, ahd the fol-
loving morning worked az il again, until the stat
ute was finished, wien She carried il smiling to
her father, who praised her ingenuity, aud put It
in his furnace TO harden
- Tho wedding passed away as most weddings
do even TO this day. The bride, in her love haif
wondering what she could have dOuU to merit so
much happiness, and Vowing in the depths OF her
young heart, TO repay it with LIES devotion The
bridegroom proud less Of himself Than her the
lnaidens, half euyious half hopeful that their turn
would come soon ; and The aged, living as it were
over ngain, their youthful days, with The loved aud
lost restored by the magic power Of memory aud
association. the laresl ana brightest there
aye, even than tie bride herself in all the grace of
Ter winning and chlld.llke beauty the pot
ler's duu sher OF Cornth And il WIS strange,
100 Tor her night black hair was unreevcd by
single ornament, and her white arms, rich only
IN lhelr own iaultesa symmetry, while II was usu.
al on such occasions TO display those treasures
which were the pride OF the maidens Of Greece.
Dbutades spoke of to his child.
>, Nay, my iaher' replied Corntha gently, have
you not often said lhaI you liked me best without
them?
But at such time as this Won should have