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

ihceuSe 10 MS DarDarouS ldol. w have not
space to enter into all the refined mnu,e
OF this adept, or TO detail the manner in
which he spun his web and caught his fly
1t is enough for our purpose to record the
result. The count one day cast himself, his
seven castles, and his ten thousand vassals
at the feet Of Georgiana, and all were ac-
cepted with the most gracious condescen-
sion. For reasons which he did not choose
to disclose, the count urged on his marriage
produced such of the contents of the cabi-
net as reinforced by his Jewels, removed all
doubts of his claim to be what he assumed,
and in short time the fashionable world
was electrified with envy at the annuncia-
ton Of the marriage of the illustrious Count
Schinschlinger, aud his long pedigree, with
Miss Georgiana Mervin She was the hap
piest woman in the world, except, perhaps,
Mrs. Mervin, VIII" gloried in being the
mother-in-law of a count, even more than
Georgiona did in being his wife.
A few days after this Qualification of the
house of Mervin, the elder Mr.. Wngate
was sitting by rousng fire, reading news
paper, while his good wife was at her even
ing occupation of knitting, and Brooke lux
irritating in the FOOLS Paradise, or the low
er's limbo of delusive hope aud empty an
ticipations. The wintry winds roared in
the chimney-tops; the snow beat against the
windows ill they ratified; and the dreary
comiortless scene without made that within
more dear to the hearts by which it was en-
Joyed. Ever and anon, when the old man
came to "a murder, an abduction, or a rob
berry, he read it aloud TO his, who would
wonder and admire at the wickedness of
the world AS to Brooke, he neither heard
the roaring of the storm nor the wonders OF;
the newspaper He was weaving delicious
romance, which he had just brought tothe
happy conclusion of marriage, with the
consent of all parties, when he was reused
by the following words from his father
''Why, Brooke, only think, Miss Mervin
! | see is just married y and he read the an
nunciation aloud, as piece of news that
was not particularly interesting, for neither
himself nor his vile had the least suspicion
of the dagger which had at that moment en-
tered into the sheart Of their son, until he
suddenly started up, and rushed bare head
ed out into the merciless storm without ut
tering word. The old man followed him
to the outer door as fast as his age would
permit, but he had disappeared in the mists
of snow, and it was in vain to follow. The
father, who was at this time aided by the
mother, called aloud, but received no an.
swer, and returned TO the now desolate fire.
side to talk, and to ponder over the strange
conduct of their son. 1t was in vain to fol-
low him, for none knew which way he went,
and the evening which had commenced so
cheerily was followed by night Of dismal
apprehensions.
The next morning search was made, and
Brooke at length tracked to barn, whittier,
after wandering about for hours in the bit
ter storm, he had instinctively sought shell
ter The blow had been so sudden and so
heavy that il reached his brain like fash
of lightning, and in an instant shattered il
forever. His reason was utterly, yet not IT.
retrievably deranged, nor was the derange-
ment accompanied by either rasng or vio-
lence 1t was moody, silent and submis-
sive. He suffered himself to be led quietly
home appeared to recognize his parents /;
seated himself quietly in the chimney cor
ner, and seemed insensibe TO all that was
passing around him. Thus he continued
until spring came, the grass grew green, the
flowers boomed and the birds sang. lie
would then every day wander along the
banks of the lake until he was weary, and
then sit down under spreading elm, where
he had often sat with Georgiana Whether
this was from some vague, indistinct recol-
lection of the past, or the mere effect OF
habit, it is impossible to say. He occasion
ally exhibited glimpses of reason, and would
enter into conversation on ordinary subjects
with those he had formerly known, from
which, however, he son wandered away to
others having no connection whatever with
what preceded. 1t was in this way that
meeting Mr.. Mervin's gardener one morn
+ ing, some little gossip took place, and he
learned that Georgiana and her husband
were expected every hour. On receiving
this information he started abruptly away
{ toward the lake, and his body was found
next morning, entangled in the roots of an
old tree that projected into the water.
At the moment this discovery was made
two splendid equipages came prancing along
the road, which ran close to the border Of
{ the lake, and those within, seeing the crowd
that had gathered together, stopped to in.
quire the occasion. On learning the fate
, OF poor Brooke, lady, seated beside gen.
! tleman in one of the carriages, suddenly ut
tered scream and grasped him conyulsive.
: ly by the arm. The gentleman tenderly in.
CURED what was the matter. and was an
. swered-"N othing-nothing-only never
: could bear the sight Of dead body" Tn,
cavacade passed on and alghted at the dool
: of Mr. Mervin's mansion. amtrest
' The Countess Schinschlnger had receiv
a ed thorn in her heart. 1t was neither yer,
q tender nor very susceptible of retaining
y deep impressions. But the most indurate.
|, heart can feel remorse and when she learn
+ ed, as she did too soon for her peace o
, mind, the details of the progress of poo