Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-08-25

FROM the merry furnace oil trial she came GU
purified; and every one said how gentle an,
loving Lucy had grown. Her very voic,
had caught a different accent, and its low
sweet music the listener often fancied b,
heard a melody not of earth. 81 Dill a
Time has tireless wing, and like the an
gel OF the Apocalypse, flies forward cease
lessly. But how few remember that ever,
wave of that wing sweeps a moment into
eternity--or how many, not unmindlul of it
care to have that moment carry with it
good report. Alasl by this triling with The
moments we waste whole lives; and rare arc
those who mark each departing hour with ;
good deed. But Lucy had striven to do this
and thus occupied with bene6cent acts, the
years that passed by seemed scarcely to
leave footprint on her face; and when ten
summers had elapsed her fair brow was al.
most as sunny as in her earlier youth.
Ten years had passed when, one evening
as Lucy entered the church to which she
was in the habit ofresorting, she saw gen
tleman before her, advancing up the aisle,
whose figure was not unfamiliar to her. He
took seat directly behind her own. When
the congregation was dismissed, and she had
LEFT the pew, the stranger addressed her, and
she recognized his voice as that of her early
lover. Her bosom thrilled at those deep
tones, and she felt sick and faint. But other
feelings soon came to her aid She had of.
ten, of late years, calmly reviewed the events
OF that morning, and she could not but feel
that, however wrong she had been, her lover
had been harsh and quick. He might, at
least, have given her an opportunity to show
her reformation. These things REQUIRED to
her now, and for a moment pride whisper
ed TO make no reply, but her christian prin.
ciples forbade this on second thought, and
she accepted his proposed services, though
with iluttering heart At first their con-
versation was on the evening, but when they
had walked several squares her companion
said abruptly
When we last parted, Miss Thornton, it
was in anger, at least on my part. hope
you have forgotten that painful evening.
Lucy's first feeling was that of indiena-
ton, then of humiliation, and finally tears
gathered in her eyes. Controlling her emo
tion she answered coldly:
MIR. Emerson might have spared all allu-
sion to the past"
"You misunderstood me, dear Miss
Thornton" he said warmly" it is not to
pain you that | required TO the subject; but
to assure you that have long since felt that
was harsh and hasty and to beg your for
giveness for my conduct. Could you but
read my heart you would see how respect
he added in lower tone
"adore you"
ooh J if this had only came in time
thought Lucy; and she felt her arm trem-
bling in that Of her companion But again
she made strong effort TO regain her com
posure on recollecting that he who address
ed her was the husband of another. She
her arm.
"Ihese words are as unfit for me to hear
as for you to utter" said she proudly, "such
language does not become one who has
bound himself by solemn VOWS to another"
"And do you not know tina, have no long
err wife?' said Mr. Emerson. "Ahl Lu-
Cyl" and his voice sunk to sadness, show
you misjudge me-"
Lucy's frame trembed in every Joint, and
she almost sank TO the ground. Forced
now TO avail herself of the support Of her
arm, she suffered minutes to
pass before she spoke, for the power of trem-
bling increased and became uncomfortable.
Eyes, dear Lucy said the lover of her
youth, 81 am stricken man, come back to
ask your pardon, and atone, if that is posi-
Bile, for my hasty and harsh conduct. In
hat hour OF passion on my part, which wit
messed our last meeting, forgot all charity,
and committed a greater sin than .hc one
Tor which refused to forgive you. And
oh how often since, has the remembrance
Of my injustice wrung my heart. Gods
hand has been upon mel am alone in the
world Lucy, dear Lucy, will you forgive
ne 2"
The earth seemed to swim beneath the
lstener, but every word sank deep into her
heart.
When he had finished, her emotions over
powered her, Her old love for the penitent
Emerson had only been smothered, not ex-
ingushed, and now revived in full force;-I
he suffering he had endured melted her
leart; and she felt as if she could fall on
lis bosom and forgive all. He saw that he
night hope, and tenderly pressing her hand
her almost fainting to her home
Long was their conference that evening
md ere they parted they were once more ai-
ianced lovers All had been explained On
he part Of Mr. Emerson. He had not
cached England, on his voyage out before
he repented of his hasty conduct, and seiz-
ng the opportunity of a few days delay off
he British coast, he wrote to Lucy, asking
Ter forgiveness The letter miscarred -
md he received no answer. His pride
tung by this fancied slight, he rushed into
! marriage with an English lady of rank
md fortune. Two years before, she had
lied. Not long afterwards he returned to
he United States, and his first thoughts we're
IT Lucy. He heard that she was still I'm