Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-12-27
hand, and she seemed absorbed in mediia.


. six years have sped away since we parted,
thought is agony-he cannot he dead. And
. yet, he may have forgotten his VOWS to
Clara, and long since have pledged his love
10 some fairer and more beautiful one. Hem
~ forget his first love ! for5et her whom
, from childhood he has cherished never /!
Rather would behold him the cold tenant
of the grave-rather he had laid his manly
| form low beneath the cold clods, and closed
+, his eyes forever in ii strange land, than tina,
, he should thus basely have acted. But no
he is too noble-too good Henry Benlly
will never forget The faith he sworc on that
) night of our last parting, and Heaven grant
, me patience to bear unmurmurIngly what
ever of i'll is IN store for me.'
The name of Henry had never been men
toned by Clara since his departure, and the
proud father thought that in sending the lone
J orphan from his doors, he had also banished
his remembrance from the heart of his
daughter. The friends of the family at first
wondered at the sudden disappearance of
one whom they had ever supposed a gener-
al favorile but at length they ceased to
wonder, and the name as also the person of
Henry Benly was forgotten, or remembered
only as a dream that il passed. Remem .
bcred hut by one. To the faithful, warm
heart Of Clara he was still hear; and absence
/ and time only served to strengthen the cord
that bound her heart TO his. She had moved
a bright and particular star in the circles of
fishIon-had been admired, caressed, and
, fattered. She was modest, frank and cheer
, fnl, and apparently perfectly happy. Her
t glad, sweet smile and beaming face had
brought light and sunshine into many "A
cherries heart and her generous hand had
J showered blessings into many drearv
home. The old and young, rich and poor,
were constantly calling down blessings on
the young head of their benefactress and
| friend.
On the evening in which we have ntrodu-
ced Clara TO our readers, in a distant part of
, the city might have been seen an elegant
mansion, distinguished from those around il
by the floods Of light which streamrd from
its windows, and shed their glare for many
PAGES around. The elegantly furnished
, apartments were gorgeousy decorated, and
5 within the spacious halls were assembling
the wealthy and proud, gay and fashionable
The rich owner of the mansion, on this eve
ming was giving grand ball in honor Of "A
t noble stranger who had arrived in the city
, the day previous. Rnmor had preceded the
new conner, and he was reported to be vastly
rich, amiAhle and accomplished, very hand
some, and what was more pleasing to the
, ladies', only six and tweety.
The chief IA traction TO which all eyes
were turned was the youthful stranger for
, whom all this pomp and grandeur was being
displayed. And well might he attract uni
versal admiration, for never did IA more no
BILE, manly figure grace an assembly. lie
/ was about the common height, well proper
toned and his manners at once free and easy
His complexion was dark. either naturally
or by exposure TO 4hc burning sun of India
I from whence he had come. His forehead
was HIGH and expansive, and shaded by thick
dark curls, and his eyes were dark and ex-
prrSsivr, and sent thrill to the heart of ma.
ny IA fair one upon whom they gazed. The
stranger was ailable and familiar, and pos.
! sessed great power of conversation. He
was standing at one end of the room, sur
| rounded by IA group of admirers, conversing
with ease and freedom, when his eyes were
suddenly directed earnestly towards the door
, through which party was ,st entering. 80
1t consisted of an elderly gentleman of a
proud though noble bearing, and fair Young
girl who hung confdingly upon his ARM
, She was "A beautiful creature, and her snow
white dress concealed a form Of perfect sym.
, mclry, willie her mud blne eyes beamed
gently from beneath their long black lashes
, They advanced to pay their compliments tc
, the lady of the house, and then repaired &c
, a seat near by.
'Who is that beautiful GIRL sad Stan
hope to a Young gentleman at his side viii
whom he had been conversing.
; you mean Clara haywood. presume,
siid his companion, she is indeed the m Is
, beautiful girl in the city. Bui,' continued
5 he, looking archly into the face of Stanhope
, 'you may set your heart at rest, for she is
perfectly insensibe to all the charms ant
|, powers of our sex; and verify believe she
, has set her heart against us all. She is po-
lite and social to all alike, and has seen Il, to
reject several offers Of marriage from our
, most wealthy and respected Young men, who
! have really loved her. Her father is among
our most wealthy citizens, and this his ONLY
child, is his idol. 1t is whispered that tIl,
, fair girl plighled her love long ago to poor
/ but noble youth. whom her fiher tool
into his family when a boy, and after having
treated him with parental kindness, sent hin
away, having suspected tina, he was becom,-
ing attached TO his daughter. This is mere
con lecture, and may probably be false, fol
in all probability the youth will never re.
turn. But come continued he, Il will in.
troduce you to the lady but be careful,
say, and guard well your heart after what
have told yon.'
During this recital by his companion, Stan.
/, hope had shown by his brealhless attention
and the fixed gaze of his dark penetrating
,, eyes, the interest he felt in the subject and
as he took the arm of his friend, and proceed.
ed TO the side Of the far girl, his cheek was
flushed, aud his eye kindled with pleasure.
Miss haywood, allow me to introduce to
you our distinguished friend, Mr.. Slanhope.
Clara raised her eyes. and replied to hi.
: salutatiOn. but when they maj his a,rnost nj