Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-11-15

HiiSSif 10 UCliHtf OUt VI CUdHCC, CtItlHOUy
or curiosity. am here 10 comply with a
sacred promise made that dying mother, but
can only explain myself in the absence of
your sister t., MI
Let her presence be no hindrance, good
father; we have no secrets one from the 9th
err
! Nevertheless, yOu alone must BE the mas
ter Of the one have now to disclose
Richard kindly dismissed his sister to the
little apartment, and as lie led her to the
door, she bid him summon her the instant
Father Antoine was gone aud she added,
| Il too have secret for your private ear dear
Richard, the revealing of which will relieve
my heart of weight il now labors under
! Richald closed the door, and drawing
chair near Father Antoine, waited the dis
closure Of the coming secret.
! The good man drew from under his gray
gown snail wallet which he laid upon the
table, aud thus began.
''Tis now nine years since was sent for
to attend iour mothers dying bed, and re-
ceived her confession; as | prayed Heaven
TO grant her the pardon she implored for,
the expiring woman with much difficulty
drew from under her pillow sealed packet,
and putting it into my hands, spake these
words ,
Father this is my VIII In the name
of Heaven promise to take charge-espe-
eiai charge of it'll promised, and she
continued. IT'S nothing of value / leave
for am poor. IT'S concealed Sc
cret do not get wish my children to know.
Cephise is now ten years Of age; if before
her nineteenth birthday, my daughter should
marry, do you open that paper; your own
conscience will direct you how TO act
Should she attain that age without quitting
her brothers protection, you, Father, find
out my son, SEE HIM ALONE give him that
packet to be opened before you, and as re-
CARDS the secret it contains, leave him TO
act as his own heart shall dictate, with the
aid of your advice
! My dear mothers will shall be strictly o.
beyed. Speak, Father, what are her re-
quests 7 -
Father Antoine selected small sealed
packet from the wallet, and handed il to
Richard, who pressed it TO his lips with
reverence, then hastily breaking the seal, he
read as follows.
Feeling assured of my approaching death, before
God--my conscience-and you, my son, declare the
bic do not call culpable. If have done wrong,
you at least. my son, will pardon me-
Read, Father, for cannot
Father Antoine took the paper and con-
tinued.
Heaven is witness to the truth of what have af-
| hrmed. Cephise MORN died ten years ago The child
| | have len is not my daughter.
Richards heart beat loudly. His blood
rushed rapidly through his veins
Go on, father, go on
4 was widow, and poor Charles my
son, away at school when my daughter Ce-
phise was born. Misery aud misfortune
rendered my constitution unfit for nursing
my child, and it died Just six months
after took my child to the Baptismal fount,
| followed her TO the grave, II was night,
and raining fast | threw myself OH my
kness by the grave OF my daughter. At
that moment heard the cry of an infant
| searched among the leaves from whence
the cry proceeded, and there lay a child as
liz Just thrown there. caught it up,
pressed il TO my breast and fled from the
church yard. was ignorant of the road /
took, and at daylight, found myself in the
wood at Romanville / looked at the in
FAINT closely nestled in my bosom. 1t was n
girl about the age of Cephise. On search
ing its garments, / found a purse filled with
gold-a certificate of its brth-and a note
from its mother
The Father here laid down the confess
sion, and opened the papers that was en-
closed, selecting the certificate of the child's
birth, read as follows.
On the 18th of March, ia. was baptised a, the
church of st. Pierre at Belvlle-Evena -. Fa-
ther unknown 7ainf4H
And the mother l-eagerly exclaimed
Richard
The mothers name is effaced,' replied
Father Antoine, and he mutiered 10 himself
-, l2ihof March Belville--shouId it be 7
But the note, Father The note found
with the child read that ?
The old man complied, and read note
written in pencil as follows.
whoever you arc that may find this infants mother
implores YOU TO cherish and protect it. Leave in this
bush your NINE and address and year this date
you will receive sum equal To that confirmed in the
purse found about the child. Should the day arrive
when its mother claim it with happiness to herself,
she will not fail to do So.
'And the signature 2 said Richard
1T las none, answered Father Antoine.
'Nowto finish your mothers will.
Heaven pardon me. | did not steal the child -
was wild with grief, and knew not what did. never
again cond find the spotirom whence took the infant
then BECAME its parent, and you its brother. She has
ever since gone by the name of Cephse NORM, and
now die, my children asking pardon of you both, and
of my God. trv .,.e.f CKTHARISE NORM
AT the closing Of the will, both the me-
f chanic and the priest appeared abstracted-
each, as if he labored with some great ex-
element, yet dreaded its conformation.
Richards elbow rested upon the table, and
his head upon his hand, Father Antoine's