The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-09-18
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Broken Vow.
BIZ ELIZA A. DUPUY.

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faint star of evening cleaned through the
far blue Heavens, and the hush and repose o.
nature seemed too holy to be broken by the
strife of human passions; yet how painfully
did the quiet Of that evening scene contrast
with the passionate grief of young heart,
mourning over its first sorrow
Ellen Sinclair was a newly welded bride.
She was but seventeen; the youngest daugh-
ter of her fathers house, and the spoiled pet
ofthe whole family, her life had passed as
one long bright day of sunshine and flowers.
She had been wooed by one she had known
from childhood, and with the consent Of their
mutual friends they were united.
The day after their marriage, the bridal
pair left their fathers house for the residence
of Mr.. Sinclair, in one of the interior coun-
ties in Virginia. A few happy weeks passed,
when Sinclair proposed TO his bride to visit
n gorge in the neighboring mountains, from
which the rising sun frequently presents the
singular spectacle of the looming ofthe noun
tain-the same phenomenon which is wit
messed in the straits of Messina, and known
by the more poetic name of Fata Morgana.
Ellen was delighted with the proposed ex-
cursion and searched every book in the house
which afforded any information on the sub
ject.
This excursion, which promised so much
pleasure resulted in despair and death. They
reached the desired spot in safety. The
morning was favorable TO his wishes; the as
cending vapors caught the rays of the rising
sun and formed themselves into the most gor-
peous and fantastic scenes. Ellen was so much
absorbed in this wonderful and magnificent
spec tacle, that she forgot the caution Sinclair
had given her at the moment of mounting
her spirited steed. He turned from her side
a moment to speak TO a servant who followed
them; the movement startled her horse; the
rein was living loose on his neck, and feeling
himself free from a guiding hand. he dashed
off at full speed. Sinclair and the servant
both followed, but were unable to overtake
her. Fortunately she met gentleman who
succeeded in stopping her perllous career
Sinclair checked his horse too suddenly, that
he might express his thanks to her preserver.
The animal reared and threw him with great
violence. He was conveyed home in sense
less state, and surgical assistance immediate
" summoned, but the force of the fall had in
ficted some internal injury which bafled the
skill Of the physician.
Itwas beside his bed in that calm twilight
that the young wife knelt with scarce hue of
life on her features.
"Oh, Ellen, my beloved, calm yourself
this sorrow humans me-" murmured the dying
man, passing his hands carelessly over the
head which was bowed upon his pillow.
A deep suffocated sob was the only reply
to his words.
alt is hard TO de-" he continued, "when
was looking forward to years ofsuch tranquil
happiness with you, my sweet Ellen; but It's
the will of Heaven, my best beloved, and we
must submit"
"Oh Henry, my own Henry. you must 60
down to the cold, cold grave, where | can see
YOU no more-never more hear the tones of
your dear voice. Oh it will break my heart"
was the almost inarticulate reply.
my poor Ellen this is a hard trial for you,
but you are too young to grieve always. The
thought is TO torture me, but-even you may
love again-may wed another" and his
voice was nearly stihed with painful emo
tions.
Never. neverI Oh, Henry, how can you
harrow my soul at this awful moment with
such supposition! Wed another Give the
wreck of my buried affections to another!
Oh no, no! the thought would kill me-"
81 doubt not you think so now, love; but
time works strange changes in this world of
ours. We know not what we may do.
wish not 10 exact a promise from you. The
thought is bitterly painful to me, but should
your present views change. donot wish that
the reproach of broken promise should mar
your peace of mind"
Henry, hear me-" said Ellen in solemn
tone. "Should ever so far forget my faith
TO your ashes as to lend my ear to the Ian
guage of love, my heart to the voice of affec-
ton from another, may your form, on my
hr,l IL
Tor my unfaithfulness."
bright smile passed over the face OF the
dying man: He murmured-
Repeat those words again, my Ellen;
they take from death its sting, in Heaven you
will be all my own. Forgive my selfshness,
dearest; but have so loved YOU | cannot
think that another shall win.''
His voice ceased to articulate, and again the
deep tones of the young mourner thrilled the
air with the repetition of those awful words.
As they passed her lips, she felt the hand
that clasped hers relax its grasp-a faint f1ut-
tering consciousness seemed to hover a mo-
ment on his features, and in another instant
they wore the calm and passionless repose of
death.
Ellen Sinclair buried herself in the seclu-
sion OF her own abode. A calm and gentle
melancholy succeeded the first violence of
her grief but she betrayed no desire to min
gle with the world. Clad in the deepest
mourning, she was seen nowhere but at church.
and those who looked on her felt great SYM
pathy for one soyoung and SO bitterly bereay-
ed. Vainly had her own parents sought to
draw her from her solitude. Two years pass
ed, and after many fruitless efforts thew at
length succeeded in obtaing promise of
visit from her at the annual reunion of
their family at Christmas, for that season
is still held as festival in many parts of Vir-
ginia.
Ellen was once more beneath the roof OF
her father, and many and painful were the
emotions which struggled in her bosom when
she looked around and remembered that the
last time she stood beside her native hearth,
she was gay and happy bride.
Those who looked on her could not avoid
remarking the change which two years had
wrought in her appearance. The girl just
pudding into maturity had expanded into the
beautiful and self-possessed woman, with a