Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-12-20

TO his adopted daughter, Clara harrington,
subject to no condition save the guardian
ship of Dr.. Seely during her minority. Ills
death amos, overwhelmed Clara. She had
loved him as few children love parcn,--
aud then, in the ardor OF her purpose, it had .
seemed to her, that he must live to see and .
embrace his grandchildren. His look, his
tone, his fearful agitation on the NIGHT Of his .
sudden attack, were too deeply impressed on
her mind TO be easily forgotten, and she felt !
assured, that, if he had lived to see them, all
his former love for Francis would have come
back to them hnndred fold.
Clara had not been able to comprehend,
that the execution of her purpose could in
any way change her relations with those
whom she called her friends. She had not
ye, learned all Iife's lessons. She had vet
to learn, that what she had regarded as the
! light of truth IN many of those friends, WAS
merely reflection of warm collars of her
own spirit with which in her enthusiasm,
she had invested them. Walter Whitney
had ever treated her purpose as joke, but
now. when he found she was in earnest, he
expressed dispicasurc. He affected TO be-
levr, that this account of the existence ofiwo
children of Francis Hayden, was merely
tale planned by Mr.. Nhydco's guilty wife, TO
yet possession of his property. When he
( found nothing could shake Clara's resolution,
his visits became less frequent, until at last,
in "A short farewell note, me informed her
tina, his father, as the friend of the late Mr.
Hayden, could not counlenance his connrr-
ton with one who was determined to act in
direct opposition to that grn,lrmans often
expressed wishes. OF course, one who on
points Of flncicd duty was so very conscien-
leus as herself would at once see tie nrcps-
sity Of his rrsignng the honor Of her hand
The quick rush Of the blood to her cheek
and brow as she read the insulting note was
followed By food Of tears. But her feel
ings were more that Of ingenious confidence
: pnufully diSappointtd than Of wounded af-
lection. She had conlidrd in him. She had
given him her promise and regarded him ms
/ her companion through life. Blu, it was true,
nevertheless, that he had not awakened in
her that love IN winch the soul finds "A salts
faction of the haunting desire Of entire SYM
= patty and communication, the deep and
yearning want that hal'ows all the heart :
) and there was no danger, that, in conse-
qlcnce Of his detection, size would
"Year by year alcnc
| st brool;nr in the ruins of HE,
Nightmare of youth the spectre Of herself"
She had never before been led to take an
, exact account of her feelings toward him
hu, now, when her first emotion had suhs-
ded, she regarded his note rs "A relief She
was clad he had written it, and began TO un-
derstand that her persistence in what she
knew was right, had already brought her the
blessing Of salvation from marriage in
which she felt size could not have been hap
pv. There was another thought in hrl
mind, which came without invitation. Shr
had not lost her impression of the chalaciei
| of Mr. Edwards, and she could not helr
thinking that he, in the same circumstances
/ would have acted differently.
The children arrived early in the snrins
, and with them her mind and heart found con.
, slant employment. The boy was "A Iiavder
-, in look and n.nnner--hnt his sis,crliltlr Mar,
, inherited her mothers dream-like beauty ano
n fragile constitution.
+ DR.. Sccly proposed thar Lewis, the boy
: should he placed at school, while the cduca.
r ton Of the curl should he left to the superin.
j ,endrncc of Clara herself But, on conprr.
n bending that they were TO be parted, the
= children chung TO each other with such touch.
i ing tenderness and wepl so bitterly, tina
Clara decided to keep them both with her
Y and breaking up her establishment in the city
II she again took up her residence with Aun
r Sally in Minden.
Soon after this event lost sight of Car;
r Harrington. Twelve years had passed wher
It one day while travelling with small part,
e Of friends, through the southern part of Tho
: state of New YORK, we encountered Philil
y Edwards. In that Chat which ensued he in
G formed us that he was married. HIS fimiI,
y was at country seat no, far distant, TO whicl
:, he was now returning, after an absence o
q some weeks on professional business. lie
e invited us 10 accompany him, and, after
o short ride, we reached "tlie Home" which
e he warmly designated his residence. w,
p" hadapproached the house ihroughthe grounds
whose beautiful arrangement every where
u cvinced the exquisite taste and ample wealtl
IS of the possessors. A servant took our hor
o SEES and, ON learning that Mrs. Edwards haC
d gone out with the children, he led us through
t an extensive garden, to IA gate which opened
a upon noble lawn studded with forest trees
= and sopiog gradually down to meet the clea
), waters of small lake, on which the shadows
:. of the tree TOPS were dancing and noddins
= to each other, as it there were nothing arounC
o them hut happiness.
On turf seat, at the foot OF an old elm
which grew near the lahc, was lady, IL
:, whom IT once recognised my old acquain,-
ance Clara. By her side was fine boy
:, some six or seven years old, who held a
II miniature ship in his hand, while she assisted
him in the arrangement of its sails aud cor
dage, and girl some lwoyears younger, the
very image of Clara Harrington when she
played go-lo- meeting with Aunt Sally's cHr
and fan, in all save that the deep hazel eye,
r of Philip Edwards pecped out beneath hen
i long lashes, she looked up 10 admire tho
u dandeion curls she was arranging in hei
mothers hair. We approached them I'M
q perceived until Edwards stopped and
screened by group Of trees, we gazed OF
' the beautiful tabeau, while his whole sou
: seemed to spring to his eyes.