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

learned that the courcd Slanhope aud des.
pissed Bently are the same
oh, Ilcnryl' replied the fond girl, am
sure my father will love you with the love he
bore you when child. He has has always
loved you, dear Henry, and know he mas
long been sorry for sending YOU away
Come she continued, taking his arm, let
us seek him, and invoke his blessing on this
happy re-union.
They entered the parlor Which was vaca-
ted, and Clara fastened to find her father
lie was seated near window in his library,
with his head upon his hand, and gazing out
upon the beautiful scenery abroad. The
Earth lay sleeping child, calm and beau,i-
fu|, while soft light of the moon fell like the
smile Of Heaven, irra1mlng every part of the
distant landscape. The Old man was aba
sorhcd in thought, and perceived not the en-
trance Of his daughter ill he was started from
his rcvery by the touch of her small hand OF
his shoulder, and the sound Of her sweet voice
in his car
Dear father He started up, and his
usually haue|tv features wore soft and
bland expression, as they rested upon the am
limited features Of his only child. He drew
her TO his bosom, and pressed his lips to her
brow.
'Wbat wouls' ,'rou, my Clara? Surely
this smiling face hotokens good. Speak,
dear, ard tell me what has happencd.'
Dear l,her, bring ,ou good news. A
dear friend awaits you below, whom you
have not sccn for many years. He is impa-
ticnt to behold yop, and have come TO ask
you to descend and bid him welcome : and
rising, the impatient girl took her fathers
hand and moved towards the door.
Ny child and his voice fa,cred, Clara,
to whom would lead me? What is the name
of your guest? Speak
| lead yon, dearest lnther, to one whom,
You have loved from childhood whose steps
you Guided in youth, and who loves you with
the affection of son. Our visitor is none
other than our dear and long absent Henry.
Will Won not welcome him to his chiIdhood's
homeN And Clara threw her arms around
the neck ofhcr only parent, and hid her burn
ing face in his bosom.
For moment the old man was silent. A
sigh, cloud passed over his oy'ausive brow
hut 1t was as soon gone. ana IA glad smile
played around his lips. Then pressing the
fair girl in his arms he said in IA low voice.
Yes, Clara, my cherished, my idolIzed
| will welcome my Henry to his early home;
and thrice welcome is he to these arms and
this heart. Heaven knows have ever loved
HIM with love only less than that | bear
yon; a ID tho be ! e still poor and pennyless
he is all the same TO me- Come Clara he
continued in livelier tone, pc away these
tears, they are tears of JOY, am sure, and
come, let US hasten TO Join orr dear Henry,
for long to clasp him to my heart
They entered the parlor, and as Mr.. May
wood hasened to meet his young friend, with
arms extended, and Henry, dear Henry
bursting from his lips. He arose, and smi-
Iingly advancing, presented to the gaze of
the astonShed old man, the manly form and
handsome face oftil very rich and admired
Mr.. Slanhopa.
Excuse me, my d ar SIR said he, cordi-
ally grnsping the half Withdrawn hand, you
will pardon this deception, and believe me
no other than your own dear HENRY
| Mr.. haywood was conloundcd, and for ii
moment lost the power of speech. At las,
he exclaimed, Yes, it is he !! II is Henry,
my own dear Henry. And oh y he con'in-
ned, rs he extend d his arms to embrace HIM.
Can you, will Won ior1ye my cruelty? ]
have ever loved you, even when ! turned
you from nv doors, Can YOU forgive me =
J. Forgive' replied the noble youth, as he
fell upon tie neck of his heneldclor. Do
| not owe every thing possess to you! 1t
is enough that you love me still, and that
return and find you and my dear Clara still
alivp.'
Clara had stood during this interesting
scene, with her hands clasped and flowing
ewes raised, while she thanked the great
Father above for the bliss which now filled
her young heart almost 10 OVERLOOKING.
Mr. Slanhope now related as briefly as
possible the principal events which had trans
pifrd since he lrf, the the city. After con-
GLIDING the recital he contained
And now, my dear sir, will you complete
my happiness and that Of your daughter, by
sanclinning the love we have cherished from
childhood. and which absence has only serv-
ed 10 strengthen ! VIII you make me hap
py by bestowing upon me the hand Of your
only child =
The old man, who had sa, during tins brief
recital with his face buried in his hands, al
this last appeal from the manly and noble
youth, raised his eyes, and drawing Clara to
his bosom, bowed his Grey head npon her
shoulder and wept. Then taking the fair
hand of his daughter and placing it within
that of Henry, who knel, by his side, he pres
sed them both in his, and scarce andbly
breahed, Take her, my son, take this prize
my only onc-and may Heaven bless you
BOTH Here his emotions were too strong
for control, and gently placing his lovely
burden in the arms Of the happy lover, he
noiselessly g!Ided from The room.
Ona mild and soft evening in June, Just
six years from the time the youthful lovers
separated, happy party were assembled in
the mansion Of Mr.. haywood. There was
on-slirring music, and the smiling, happy
faces of many fair one eraced the assem-
bly,; but none were half as happy, half so
fair and beautiful as the young and graceful
bride. She was clad in robe of pure white,
and an opening rose bud of,he same spot
less white nestled among her sDtt brown