Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-06-09

II
dimly through the white drapery of the bed
and the breeze alone with pinions heavy
with dew disturbed the dark tresses on the
bosom OF silence. Francisco listened, and
wondered what strange spell had gathered
round Hannah's spirit, or what unearthly
excellence adorned the stranger who thus
engrossed her thoughts aud affections, she
listened, and her pure heart returned to her
sisters emotions ;hrob for throb Ardently
did she long to look upon the perfection
which so filled her sisters soul; and Pier
sol felt as ardent desires to see the bright
being whose praises Hannah never wearied
Of repeating.
1t was bright morning in the early au-
tumn just at that soft and mellowed season
which seems to mngle its pensive romance
with the soul, that Francisco Southmayed
was permitted to come down into the paror
and be presented to her sisters guest
Prepared as he was to meet an Honri of
Paradise, he was wholly taken by surprise
for his fancy had always represented her as
a softened image of her meek and gentle
sister. But when he saw her, fairy like in
/ form, with small delicate features and COM
plexion the pure red and white of which
were more beautiful from her long confine-
ment, and the rich glow of returning health;
and rendered doubly brilliant from the con-
trast of her black glossy hair, which was
dressed in bands and braids, and confined
with few old fashioned diamond pins and
clasps. But her diamonds, though of the
purest, we're outshone by her dazzling eyes
in which it seemed as if thousand spirits
sported; and her playful spirits gushed with
renewed brilliancy from the weight which
had lain upon them, even as the brook
flows freest when first released from the icy
bondage of winter. Plerso gazed and lis
tened, and wondered and for once in his
life utterly forgot himself, aud made no eff
fort to dazzle or toplease Francisco, how
ever, looked on him through the medium Of
her sisters encomlums, and deemed him
perfect. And as day after day made them
more familiar, as they read, walked, sang,
drew and painted together, she too learned
TO regard him as the best aud nobest of the
human race. Strangely was he divided be-
tween the two beautiful beings Hannah
he considered as an angel, too pure for earth
or earthly feelings. He could not speak to
her of love, but he felt that he could adore
her as friend, and as such he felt desire
TO monopollze her undivided heart. But
Francisco he looked on as woman. A
lovely, glad-hearted woman, who could love
and perform all the Offices of humanity with
out WEAKNESS of spirit. He longed TO mo-
nopolize both sisters with all their lowell
ness and affection. He could not endure
the thought that either of them should be-
come attached to another man; and the
turmoil Of his mind became insupportable.-
He saw that by both he was tenderly regard
ed, but he judged from demeanor that Fran
cisca loved, while Hannah felt a sisters pure
affection. lie desired ardentlY that it should
be so, and therefore it was, perhaps, that he
deemed il so. IL he had never seen Fran
cisca he would have worshipped Hannah for
ever; but now while he owned her all that
) he ever deemed her and more and better, he
felt his hearts fondest sympathies going
forth to her playful sister. And how were
: they the guileless sisters affected towards
: him.
Dear HannaIl,' said Francisco, as they
sat together in their chamber, do tell me
what grieves you, love, for you are unhappy
of late: or perhaps you are not well. Oh
il you should be sick as | was, what would
become of us, for | could not be faithful
and judcious nurse like you, dear sister
DO not be alarmed replied Hannah in
: low voice, Il am perfectly well, sweet
; one And as she spoke she smiled sweety
but ere the smile had left her lip, deer
: and painful sigh came struggling up as from
, her hearts deep centre.-Francisca looked
steadily in her face. At first a. vivid 1usl
overspread it, faded suddenly to the lilly:
= palencss. She sought TO veil her eyes will
! their pearly lids, and then the big tears gush
> ed forth and fell from the long trembling
{ lashes.
Il see your heart sister, Hannah wills
pered, and she drew the loved one to he
= bosom, where she hid her face, and wep
with convulsive sobbings. 'Ies, Hannah
t | see it ALL ! know why you have beer
= sad why you have sighed so often, WIN
you have sa, silent and distracted, WIN
r you have wandered moody and alone, VIII,
you have turned your eyes away from mine
and why you have gazed so upon me wheI
t you thought | was not observing you.
= know it all now. Sister dear aud only one
: you love this stranger Persol, you love him
g and you fear that he prefers your Francisco
r Have not read you Alright ?
! Had Hannah been observing the speake
i she could have seen that there was agony il
her bosom, for the face was livid, the nos
h trils contracted, and the lips quvering, bu
t she did not look up and the voice that ad
e dressed her was calm and playful.
e 'Yes, Francisco murmured the weeper
e you have OWNED it all, l do love, and
S do also fear
= DO not be grieved, sweet sister. VIII
l. should he not love my godfnch, and VIII
d should you not love him?
J. He cannot love the gold6nch, Hannah