Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-02-21

where, Ainging herself into chair, she yielded /
to passionate. burst Of weeping He whom she
had striyen for years to Danish from her thoughts
he whose image, like that Of the Indian wo-
mans dead husband, had come between her and
every other earthly love, was near her, and she
must look upon him, and hear his voice Had
he forgotten the past Could she forget it her
sell Forget that for many daysishe had corr
sidered herself his wife forget that's had been
awakened from a dream that was absorbing eve
ry feeling of her nature, by blow that had
crushed the very germ fhope And, oh worst
Of all, could she fail to remember that he had
seen and known all this Why had he follow
ed her to the peaceful home she had chosen =
"Has not my lot been hard enough" she ex-
claimed, "without this Z Icannot fly from him
--Icannot avoid him" Then, as she recollccted all
he had risked for her, all that he had saved her
from, a blush Of shame sufused her face, and she
arose hastily and paced the room with hurried
steps. GLOW selfish, how ungrateful am she
said. | should despise myself for cherishing this
weakness. He thought not cf himself when he
rescued me from amiserable death, and conduct
ed me in safety to the shelter Of his mother S
roof Do | not know him to be honorable,
brave, and consderate and can believe him
capable Of an ungenerous thoughtl No, he is
alone and desolate as | was, and it is my duty to
overcome these puinful feelings [ shall soon
become accustomed to him, and he shall have no
occasion to remember that have ever been 9TH
erwise than most grateful-most sensible of my
deep obligation to him" ..e-
Soothed by these reflections, she retired to
rest, and sleepless pillow witnessed that night
many fearful vow of discipline and selEcontrol
The next morning Mr. Grant rode into town
to call upon Mr. Neville. When he returned al
dinner time, he mentioned the particulars of hi.
visit, and said that he had invited him to come
to them Immediately, and remain with them a:
long as he staid in that part of the country He
had accepted the invitation, and would have re-
turned with him, but for an engagement to dine
which would detan him till evening, when the
carriage was to be sent to bring him out
This was a respite which Laura was truly
thankful for. In spite of her arguments anC
good resolutions, she was nervousy in dread o
her first meeting with Neville This, however
like all events greatly dreaded, proved far les
embarrassing than she had anticipated. He came
when the family were all assembled upon wide
vne-covered piazza, to enjoy the GOODNESS of the
evening air, after day of extreme heat Laur;
saw Mr. Grant rise to receive him, saw him pre-
sented to Mrs Grant, and the next minute he
hand had been pressed within his, and she hat
replied to his greeting, with tone of assured
calmness that perfectly satisfied herself Ther'
was no light save that which the heavens, brill
liant with the starlight of cloudless Summe
night, cast upon them, and the dim outline Of hi
figure was all she could discern, but the voic,
was the same, and that like tones of music lon!
since heard, came upon her ear with the sam,
magic power ofrecaling the past with all its as
soclations of Joy and sorrow
"Shall we have tea brought to us here m,
dear!" said Mrs Grant to her husband as a ser
want made his appearance in the doorway, nap
kin in hand
"Better not tonight, think" he replied
'My lady-bird here, laying his hand upon Lau
ra's shoulder, "has not been we'll to-day, and thu
nlght-ar may do her injury"
Laura protested against being thought i'll, ant
they all rose to'follow Mrs Grant. As they pro
ceeded, Mr. Grant continued-'I suppose, MI
Neville, you discovered, long ago, all this per
verse young ladys bad qualities If any ont
else has finger ache, she is all anxiety tremor
and alarm but if dropping herself, she is a
obstinate in opposing all doctors, nursing anc
care, as she is in urging them upon others"
"But my dear sir have not complained o
indisposition. F."
81 know that don't wait for you to com
pain--but you have been looking as white as
ghost all day, thing which never happened since
you came to Virginia, and | mean to take cart
of you-so don't be obstinate, Miss p
Laura made no reply but when they enter
ed the lighted drawing-room her glowing cheel
and frightened eye boldly contradcted his asser
ton. 1t Was long after they were seated befor
laura ventured to glance at Mr. Neville, anC
then only when she heard him occupied in con
yersation with another She found him altered
yet the same the extreme slenderness which
formerly gave him an almost boyish appearance
had given place to more manly proportions, an,
his complexion was darkened by travel and ex
posure ; but the eye, the smile, the movement O
the hand, we're all the same; and, as she turnet
quickly away, she sighed unconsciously as sh
felt it was So
Mr. and Mrs Grant were delighted with thei
guest, and with unaffected kindness and hospit
atty evinced the satisfaction which his societ
gave them. Neville appeared to appreciate thei
character, and few days served to domesticat
him in the family. The civilities and attention
of Mr. Grants friends and neighbors were cordi
ally received, but the daily pursuits and quie
occupations Of the little circle at home wer
more in accordance with his feelings than thos
pleasures which took him abroad. The soca
dlnner-the evening stroll--the family groul
were all that he required-and his enjoyment o
these simple pleasures. his amiabe conduct anc
agreeable manners, were fully valued by hi