Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-05-03


siounlly. As Charles's calls were always
made during those hours when Lucy was at
the shop, she never met him; and although she
frequently heard Mrs. Benson and her daugh-
ter mention his name, and sound his praises,
yet with the sensitiveness OF one who keenly
felt the injustice aud falseness Of those con-
ventional laws of society which oppressed
her, and which now regulated the character
Of Charles, as she had such painful reason
to believe, she avoided all that could lead to
discovery OF her early connection with
him.
Meanwhile rumor began 10 prophecy, in
whispers, that the beautiful cottage on the
hill would soon have a mistress in Miss Jul
ia. Mrs. Benson managed-Charles paid
Julia some attentions, which gave rise to
banter on the part Of her young friends and
the manner in which Mrs. Benson replied
to such remarks certainly was not calculal-
ed to silence them. Rumor continued to
whisper, louder and louder, until the matter
was spoken of as thing probably settled
Lucy heard all this in silence, and sought
refuge from all painful thoughts in her min
istry of love to Edward.
As he grew worse he chung to her with
increasing fondness, and at length Mrs Ben
son procured another to take her place in
the kitchen, that all her moments of leisure
from the shop might be devoted exclusively
to the little sufferer, who was evidently near
death. One day, toward the last of Februa-
nv, DIR. Stanton was detained from calling at
his ordinary hour, and drove to the door
much later than usual. Finding Mrs. Ben
son engaged with company, he followed the
servant directly to Edwards room. He
found his patient asleep. After feeling his
pulse and arranging some powders, he turn
ed to the nurse. who sat at the foot of the
bed almost wholly concealed by its ample
drapery, and commenced giving directions
But suddenly interrupting himself, he in
quired how long the boy had slept The an
swer was inaudible.
"How long did you say, nursel" he asked
again.
"About half an hour" was the answer
in low, tremulous tones which thrilled
through his whole soul.
Charles sprang to her side, and graspng
her arm, drew her TO the light, excaiming-
at is it must be Lucy Maynard-my owl
Lucy Speak again For Gods sake, speal
again!
Oh there are moments when the who'll
soul comes forth to brood on the face !
assurance to his heart as ss'aab sh so sweet a
those deep blue eyes, as he pressed her hal
fainting to his bosom.
And you have been near me so long,
he continued-"even in the house. and
have not known it Lucy, was this quit,
rightl
81 have wronged you, Charles. As yol
did not answer my letter, informing you o
the change in my circumstances, though
you had changed. Forgive me, Charles, bu
have been made to feel, somewhat keenly
the disdan which those of your social ranl
and advantages feel authorized TO bestow oil
such as occupy my position, oh if you on
! ly knew what have suffered, in thinkin!
that you too were influenced by this false
ness of society-that you too could neglec
me, because of my frieudess poverty-yol
, would forgive me.
81 changed / disdain you'll Societ
, create distance between you and me !
Oh how could you mistake me thus? Yo,
must indeed have learned some bitter les
sons, my poor Lucy, or you could not hav
/, wronged me so"
!, "But my letter, Charles, why did you no
answer my letter ?"
/, because, dearest Lucy, never receive,
it. | was long time travelling with m
uncle, in various parts of the country beior
we came here, and must have left Cincinnati
before it arrived there. Before came her
visited Liston. Our kind friend the oil
pastor, had been dead nearly a year. Il
: answer to my inquiries l was informed tina
you still resided in D, with your uncle
| FASTENED to D, and was there told tina
: yon accompanied your uncle's family Il
Iowa. Wearied and dispirted, reioine,
my uncle, whose business had detained hin
in New York We came here, as it was
favorite plan OF my uncle to repurchase
possible part of my fathers estate. But
: had resolved to visit Iowa in the spring, t
, find you if possible, and ascertain whethe
the sweet playmate Of my youth would no
sustain to me a still nearer and dearer re
, lation."
"But Julia -"
"Julia neither is, has been, nor can b
to me any thing more than lively, good
tempered girl, spoiled by the over-manage
ment of her mother. But first of all-eve
= before you answer the question which in
terests me so deeply-allow me to provid
you more suitable home"
. Lucy pointed to the sleeping boy, "No
r Charles she said, al cannot leave him now
] He will allow no one else to wait on hin
e You say he has but few days to live. lie
. me, at least, soothe his last hours, for he ha
0 ever loved me-"
r "Leti, beso, then and now good night
f Lucys unwearied ministry of love wa
= soon over. One week after this meeting
: Edward was in his grave.
v "But were thew married wore thew mai