Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-12-27

time had subdued, but not obllterated. -
There was something in that noble counte-
nance which was directed toward her, and
in the low tones of the stranger which recall
led days long since gone by but whose liyll
even then shone upon her pathway, and en-
lvcned and cheered many an hour which
otherwise would have been gloomy and dark.
/ By degrees Clara was drawn away from
herself and all unpleasant thoughts while she
listened to the eloquent remarks of her COM
panion, and eagerly drunk in the sublime
sentiments which flowed from his lips. lie
he'd travelled over nearly the whole world :;
and his descriptions of the various countries
he had visited, with the customs and manners
OF their inhabitants was at once pleasing and
instructive. The evening wore away, and
the elegant sirangcr-lhe wealthy Mr.. STAN
hope was constantly at the side of the beau
tiiul Clara. They walked-ihcv danced to-
gcther; and when at length the company be-
gan to retire, Sianhopc accompanied Clara
TO the carriage; and after seating her, gent.
f ly pressed the small hand he still retained,
and babe her good evening.
, That night in her dreams, Clara behpld
f her long lost Henry returned, and was led to
the bridal altar by him whom above all 9TH
ers she loved, and whose memory she sa-
, credly cherished. But another form was
, blended with that of her lover, and she would
often start as in imagination she met the
gaze Of the handsome stranger, and heard his
low, sweet voice-or felt the soft pressure of
his hand She could not deny that he was.
save one, the most winning and accomplish
ed man she had ever met but the form Of
her Henry rose to her mind, as she hehed
HIM on that mOon-!it night, when she had
pllghtrd her young love. The pearly tear
started to her eye as she thought how many
and long might be the days which would pass
ere his return; and she shud1ered at the
| thought that they might necer meet again.
On the second evening after the party, IA
servant handed Clara small note. She re-
f paired to her room with trembling haste =
t for the writing seemed familiar and she could
hardly account for the thrill which the sight
, OF it ,ent through her soul. S e opened the
letter with eager haste, and glance at the
contents explained the whole. With a
| ,hrohbing heart and flushed face she read !:
Beloved Clara, are you still my own p
Henry has returned to claim his bride, and
is now waiting to clasp you to his heart
. Meet me, when you shall have read this, in
our blessed retreat, and you shall hear ALL
, IlENRY'
Clara's brain whirlrd, her hear, beat audi.
bly,, and she was near fan,ing, but suddenly
: starting to her fee, and clasping her hands
together, she exclaimed:
; | shall see Inn and SO soon He is
+ even now awaiting me. Father in Heaven,
- nn To-, | n,
. eyes, | thank thee. My prayers are an
: swered. | shall ye, be happy-oh how
, happy
Throwing a shawl about her, Clara was
the next moment trCading The path which led
to the end of the garden. She stood at the
, entrance of the grotio, her cheeks flushed.
her hair unconhned and floating in the eve
ming breeze, and her whole form trembling
with emotion. And there, with his arms cx
tended, his noble face lighted with jov, and
his eloquent eyes braming wilhlove and GRAFT
: itnde, was the dark eyed slrangcr-lhe
, wealthy and distinguished Stanhope.
Clara, dear Clara, we meet again. Tell
, me. Are you s'Imy own 2
> The fair girl, overcome with establishment
and joy, could not arlicnlA,e Henry = and
throwing herself on his neck, wept aloud.
, Was i, possible, that the rich, the courled
, and admired Mr.. Stanhope was her poor
: pennyless Henry Bentley. That he had re
v turned, uncontaminacd and unchanged, to
claim her as his happy, blcst bride ? She
4 had only to raise her eyes to his face to be
+. convinced that it was no illusion, for there
0 was the high, calm brow, the thick auburn
0 curls, and the dark. eloquent eyes which
could belong to no other. She now wander
ed that he had not been recognised on the
h evening Of their first meeting.
Clara, murmured her lover, this bes.
> sed moment repays me for all the tolls and
t anxirles of The years Of long srpara,lon.-
/ To find thee still the same, though more
. beautiful, and y our pure heart all my own, is
5 more than | deserved, more than dared ia
i hope. Yes. Clara, | feel that you are mine
and my heart blesses you and through life
will bless you.'
, Dear Henry sobbed the weeping gill
r smiling through her tears, | am too happy
, | cannot believe that You are retnrned-l
0 cannot persuade myself that am not under
|, the influence of IA pleasing dream. But YOU
$ will not leave me again. and she chung con-
r vulsively to his arm as if she feared to lose
k him forever.
. Leave thee ! never!' and parting tho
4 long ringlets from her white brow, ,he impart
ed there icrven kiss.
2 But why, dear Henry continued the
+ lovely glrl, why have You come back will
= an assumed name-and why did you MOI
come to MS Immediately on your arrival
Il will explain all TO you, dearest and
here, in this beautiful spot, with the silver,
moon above us, and the soft whispering
breeze around. will relate briefly wha, has
+, happened since babe you, on this self same
!, spot, an agonizing farewell
| Early the next morning, after bidding
= alden to your father, and silently invoking
S Heavens choicest blessings on your head,
turned from this dear abode of my child
D hood, this home of my happy youth, and d.
rected my steps toward the nearest seaport
S determining to set sail by the first opporlu
r.. L.