Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-08-21
CHAPTER vi.

IL was d gay ana happy DfldaL l ne mansion
of Mr.. Mayfeld was lit up with a hundred lights
and crowded with all the wealth and beauty of
the country round, to do honor to the marriage
of his lovely daughter.
Mr.. Hervey shines ID pre-eminent here that
I could forgive Blanche for falling in love with
him, said one young lady to another:
But poverty and sentiment were not made for.
this every day world answered the other laugh
ing.
Miss Hadaway, do you accompany IL bridal
party to New York, where, l IN tolds they are
going to spend the honeymoon asked the first
speaker, as Isabella drew near.
Il am to go with them to New York-there |
leave them, for l go to my home-tbey to a
friend ofMr, Hervey's. Blanche must Hot expect
me to visit her unless the world approve her
choice she said affectedly.
'Ahp returned the lady, Il see how it is with
you, a fine house and fine equipage are the only
passports to your tayor-yet all agree, both old
and young, that this is the strangest marriage in
the world
The next morning was bright and %,beaming.
At an early hour the bridal party commenced
their Journey. The lingering beams Of the set
ting sun cast. a mellow tinge on the cqpola of a
large and splendid mansion which now caught
the attention Of the travellers. The house stood
in a commanding situation, and the extensive
park and fine woods surrounding II, venerable
for their magnitude and age, gave the impression
of power and magnifcence. Even Isabella was
enchanted with its grandeur. The merry eyes Of
Blanche flashed with delight as she gazed on the
noble structure.
'Oh! could | but live oneaour here, said she, and
she commenced enumerating the various pleas
ures even that short time would give her, could
her wish only be g%ratified.
Her husband smiled at her enthusiasm, and
said she should be INDUCED for one whole hour.
How kind you are-thank you, dear Harry,
said she affectionately to him
DO you know the ownerP inquired Isabella.
Ido,' said he, as he gave orders to drive thro'
: the grounds, I'VE will go to the house, | will In
troduce you both to my friend
TO your friend, Mr.. Hervey,' exclaimed lsa-
bella, starting at him with amazement-'who is
Ihe!'
'Mr. Walton, a young Congressman, whom !
prophecy you will like better than ydyAdo poor
Y Mr.. Hervey, a music teacher, and he looked sig
t n~ificantly at her.
'Mr. Walton is a friend of yours then--deal
husband, how delighted l am---my happiness i:
r complete
r Isabella was struck dumb.
When they arrived at the front entrance O.
the house, the large door was opened by a man
servant in a handsome livery, who smiled a cor
dial welcome and ushered them into a gorgeous.
: ly furnished drawing-room, where, in a moment
refreshments of the choicest kind were brought
in as though by magic. Wonder succeeded
:, wonder, when Mr.. Hervey folded Blanche in hi;
arms, and said---'now let me welcome you tc
your own home my best beloved, my own sweet
Wife
is this your home, Henry?---who are you
then?' asked the young wife, who bewildered and
: giddy, sunk from his arms on the sofa.
mo other than the famous Mr.. Walton, Of
whom l have been so jealous answered he.
laughing,
| Mr.. Walton screamed Isabella--'you Mr.
Walton---you do but jest
Il am Henry Walton----I hope you will see
merit in the millionaire which you could not dis.
cover in the humble teacher, but let me give you
this advice--never look on wealth and station as
what constitutes the man---real worth and noble
mind, alone makes the true nobility &C nature.
but Blanche, my own---my wife, you faint
The excess Of JOY had been too great for
/ Blanche, but she soon revived, and found her
r husband bending over her, c%onjuring her to
speak to him once more and forgive his strata
gem.
And you are Mr.. Walton---and this is my
home----my husband, l am too happy, All! that
father and mother were here to Joy with me---we
I will send for them to~-morrow---how transported
| dear.papa will be, when | tell him his great IA
: vorite is his son, his own Blanche's husband,
and Blanche wept and laughed alternately. But
: Henry, why did you ONE as the poor teacherP
WORLDLY advantages rendered me an object
t of more than usual attraction to mothers and
4 daughters, and knowing that l was sought solely
on account of these, | determined to close my
a heart to all their allurements. l even fancied
the very smile of a woman had reference to a
handsome settlement, and the anxious desire al
ways felt to marry and be happy, was defeated by
: the suspicion l endured of being made the vic
1 tim of some manGyerer. To avoid fashionable
: society, left town intending to visit Judge Mel
son, to whom l am personally unknown, and that
: favored my plot. saw you when | first came
to the village, | watched you eagerly when You
r were not aware of my presence: your youth and
beauty enthralled me, | determined to win you
5 as poor Mr.. Hervey, and having done so, the
boundless wish of my heart is obtained, for | am
loved for myself.
My readers may imagine what IsabelIa's feel
ings we're during this scene. To her it was in
tolerable. Never was a disappointment more
unexpected, or endured with less patience. She
could not see, without modification and pair, the
man she had wholly set apart for herself the
l husband Of another. and the eXaltation If