Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-01-26

on the splendors of her rank and fortune
But this dream was about TO close in waking
disappointment and misery.
The son of the American merchant at
Smyrna, was nephew of Mrs. Mervin, and
being now on visit to his native country.
had just arrived a, a distant port, whence he
Immediately wrote to his uncle, MIR. Mervin.
who cordially invited him TO visit lis house
in the country. The invitation was accept
ed, and the young man arrived while Geur-
giana aud the Count were absent on an ex-
cursion Of several days His good aunt,
who was always full Of Georgiana's great
marriage, had hardly welcomed him when
she began to dilate on the glories of Count
Schinschlinger.
Count who ?" exclaimed the gentleman,
rather abruptly, and suddenly fell into a
train of reflection He thought the name
had once been familiar 10 him, and at length.
by a process with which memory often
works out her problems, recolected the
Hungarian nobleman who had died at Smyr-
ma so suddenly. "ls it possible" thought
he, THAT this can be his successor-or-
hum" His cogtations were suddenly
arrested by the return of the Count and
Countess, in the former of whom. notwitb-
standing the alteration of his dress. and an
enormous appendage of whiskers, he Instant
ly recognized the yeritable Knim, the faith
iul servant of the Hungarian maghar. The
Lion OF the West remembered him too, and
saw at once that he was recognized. lie
started, turned pale, and almost ran out of
the room so quick was his pace. Even
Mrs Mervin whn nannrall,, l,o..
thing, did not know what TO make of this
curious introduction.
"Were YOU aud the Count previously ac-
quainted % size inquired rather anxiously.
81 have seen the gentleman before" re-
piled he.
"The gentleman don't you know he is a
nobleman, and is called His Excelency o.
But where did you get acquainted-he new
er mentioned your name to me-but ] sup
pose he did not know we were related" y
81 imagine he had better reason than
that, said the gentleman driy. "But, my
dear aunt, ] am very much fatigued, and
should like to take nap before ten. To-
morrow you shall have the whole history,
chapter and verse" Saying which, he re-
tired rather unceremoniously, learing the la
dy somewhat perplexed as well as offended.
The gentleman was still more perpiexed
as to the course il became him 10 pursue ON
this critical occasion. He considered that
his cousin was married, and could not be
unmarried again; that he had nothing but
his own testimony to rely on, and that Knim,
being doubtless in possession of the deceased
Counts papers, might apparently so substan-
tate his identity as to render his testimony
doubtful, or altogether nugatory But on
the other hand, he could not endure the idea
of his cousin resting quietly in the arm. OF
counterfeit swindler, and, as he now be-
leved, murderer. He determined. there
fore to beard the Count next morning, and
tell the whole story. But that illustrious
lion saved him the trouble. He did not
make his appearance that evening, being, as
Georgiana announced, quite indisposed -
and was missing the next morning. But he
did not depart alone, or at least empty hand
ed lie carried off all the Jewels he had
presented to Georgiana all her own be-
side; and all the money she had in the gold
purse ne had presented her, together with
the purse itself
When Georglana retired The previous
evening, the Count was absent, circum.
stance she thought little strange, as he
was so indisposed She waited for him some
time, wondering what had become oe him
but by degrees her anxiety, if it might be
so called, yielding to WEAKNESS, she retired
TO rest and slept undisturbed until the nexi
morning. She then, finding the Count stl
absent, and that he had not been at home
during the night. Immediately sounded the
alarm. All was now confusion, doubt anc
dismay. Search was made in vain about
the house and garden, and Georgiana, in an
agony of apprehension, insisted that the
horses should be sadded and the servant.
despatched in all directions in search of hel
husband, for she was sure something hat
happened to him. AT this crisis, the young
gentleman from Smyrna made his appear
ance, and requested to speak with Mr.. Mer
vim in private. Georgana was more alarm
ed than ever; she was sure he had some
dreadful news of her husband, and insisted
on its being instantly communicated to her
"Calm yourself, my dear cousin you
husband is not dead, assure YOU" said the
young man.
"Then some dreadful accident has hap
pened, | am sure, or he would not hav,
been absent all night" replied she. "Ht
must be seriously hurt-let me go TO hin
Instantly" :
81 pledge you my honor he is not hurt.
"Then where is he-and what do yot
meanP'
"My dear cousin, permit me to speak tc
uncle alone"
"No-whatever you say, | must and vii
hear. insist on your telling me all yol
know, and at once. | cannot bear this sus
pense, and must inform you, sir, that
think your present conduct not only mex
plicable but unfeeling"
"Well, then, "--and he hestated a few
4 moments-'well, You must know il soon