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

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dearest hopes were broken. At length she
arose and looked around her. There was
deep gloom on oht face of n ture; a heavy
pail shadowing the handwriting of Joy and
beauty on the broad page of Omnippotent
goodness. 1T will be hard struggle she
said, but must hide my stricken heart from
dear Hannah. She shall be happy, and IL
will at least conceal my suferings. Oh Fa-
ther in Heaven, help me TO say Thy blessed
will be done
And Francisco Southmayed wrapped her
bleeding heart in beautiful tissue, woven
of smiles and song, and embroidered with
every fanciful form of girlish happiness
When in company she constantly Knocked
at the name of love, and ridiculed every tale
of tender passion, so carrying herself that
Piersol would have deemed her utterly heart
less, but that at times there came an express
sion over her countenance that sent thrill
of pain TO the heart OF the observer, so sor-
rowiul, SO full ofstrugglng agony it seemed.
But her eye never rested on his, and she
sportiyely avoided all contact with him,
even refusing to accept his hand in aid as
they climbed the hills together; but Han
nah hung upon his arm with sisters calm
confidence; and many time she sat placid
ly sketching beside him, while Francisco
sporied round them like free fawn, aud
they deemed her happy. oh could they
have known with what an agonizing grasp
she held her heart strings lest they
should betray her how earnestly she long
ed for release from the arduous toll of affec-
ting happiness, while her soul was full Of
bitterness, they would have been happy no
more, and the knowledge that it was so gave
strength TO all her exertions. But when
she was alone, then it was that she wept and
prayed with casped and wringing hands for
strength to do and to suffer.
a suspicion of the part she was acting
would sometimes flash upon PiersoPs mind
and with it came feeling Of almost holy
reverence for the seIf-sacrl6cing young mai
den. 1t was sweet to regard her in that
light, but then her wild and lght-hearted
gambols would within the hour dispel his
dreams, and make him again regard her as
heartless, happy child. But Hannah who
knew the singleness OF her ahectionate
heart, who should have understood all lis
workings, sometimes regarded that gene
rous, selEsacriicing sister as a designing
rival. Yes, is it possiblel She saw that
Francisco acted an unnatural part, and al
though she sometimes fancied that her late
sickness had changed her disposition, yet
ever and anon came the suggestion, she
is playing a part to win his love from
me- And her heart became estranged
from her only sister, her only disin,erested
lover Oh idOidtrous love how dost thou
darken and embitter the spirit; How dost
thou I'LL the temple of llfes charities with
hideous phantasies Francisco saw that her
sisters heart was not right towards her. and
the bitterness of the cup became more in
tense. VIII you walk with me Francisco p
said Hannah, as she tied her bonnet to 90
out on one Of her accustomed errands OF
mercy.
No sister, think not; do not feel
quite well this morning. replied Francisco.
Il suppose Mr.. Piersol will help you to
beguile the time said Hannah, with an
expression not to be misunderstood. Fran
cisca trembled violently as she replied
oh ! Hannah, did ever deceive you that
you should doubt me now, that | am break.
ing my own heart for your She felt that
she had betrayed herself, and ran sobbing
into the garden. Hannah paused.
Breaking her heart for me- she said
then she does love him, and he will be hel
own And she felt a wish rising in hel
heart that-must il be told THAT Francis
ca had never arisen from her bed of sick.
ness She turned with horror from the
suggestion of the fiend, and crushed the wish
ere it assumed the garb Of thought, with {
feeling of self reproach such as she had new
err before experienced oh! how | wisl
that he had never come here she cried il
an agony for now | am undone-ant
Francisca-oh we shall never be happy
again And she too wept bitterly.
Francisco fled to the vine covered sum
mer-house, which had ever been favor
lie resort for herself and sister, where they
played happily together in infancy, so tina
all sweet memories seemed to gather anC
rest there But it was now cold and desc
late, for October, was shaking the last seal
leayes from the trembling vines, even Will,
she sighed mournfully over the ruin she wal
working. My heart is at home here, sh,
murmured, for its Joys are withered eveI
as the bloom and verdure of this lonely bow
err. And she abandoned herself to will
weeping 1t was grlevous TO see one 81
young, so fail, so formed for joy, sittin!
amongst the scar leaves with heaving bosom
wrnging hands and streaming eyes, and nom
to comfort her. No parents to protect, NJ
brother to cheer, no sister to sympathize
for the sister, the only relative she coult
claim the dear one on whom she had al
her life leaned for comfort, she had become
cruel and wounded her incurably.
Piersol, as he returned from hunting ex
cursion, was surprised by her voice of weep
ing, He approached not s:ealthily, but IN
perceived, and stood beside her, yet sh
wept on He would have made any sacri