Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-03-21
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
Three days after George had taken leave
Of all his friends, and Of her he loved-from
whom il was almost death for him TO part
and sailed for Havana. After a fair passage
he arrived. On entering the place his heart
sickened at the scene around him. Houses
were closed, and the doors and windows
barred. Places Of business were shut up,
the owners being dead, or removed into the
country. The dead carts were hurrying by,
loaded with putrid corses, which filled the
air with a deadly %efluvia. Every thing a.
round looked gloomy and desolaie. He was
before the store ofhis father, it was closed
the sign was still up, with his name upon
il. After some inquiries, he learned that
the partners of his father had removed to the
interior Of the island. He Immediately SET
out for the place of their s%ojourn. Three
months elapsed ere Havana began to show
signs Of returning life and activity.
A year passed, and George was engaged
in settling the affairs of his father. During
this time he had received but two letters
from Elmira Warren-the last, a cold and
Indifferent epistle.
False ~girl-biiterly shall she repent, for
having trihed with my feelings. She loves
me not, her VOWS were false-the girl ] tho't
TO make my bride oil my return, is perhaps
another's. Bpi Gas rsuonA ~Ieoigotten in the
smiles Of those around her. These were
the words of George on finishing the let
ter,
Such indeed was the case-Elmira War
rem forgotten the letter.
Fool that | was, exclaimed she, as she 6n-
ished the second letter she had written him
to engage myself to him, a cIerk-with no
other means lin case | should have married
him) to support me but his salary Of fifteen
hundred. His father died, perhaps bank
rupt, who knows? And he is leE a poor,
dependent orphan. l marry him Poh-
never.
Uttering this in a disdainful tone, she
sealed the letter and directed it-and call
ing a servant, despatched him to the Office
with il.
Twelve months had fled, since Elmira
Warren had written to her lover. Twas
night. The beautiful hall of p was
thronged with the gay aud the elite of the
city. Music, swelling rich aud loud, re-
sounded through the brilliantly lighted room.
The scene was gay and joyous. The dance
was oyer-the music had ceased, and the
merry dancers had some o fthem retired to
the elegant drawing rooms. The richly
cushioned divans were also occupied by ma.
ny Of the beautiful ladies' that thronged the
hall, while others we're promenading over
the smooth and highly polished floor, their
beautiful forms pictured in the splendid mir
rors that adorned the walls.
But who is that around whom that crowd
of young men have gathered, and whose
lively conversation. spoke in a rich, mellow
voice, rs heard above all the others, and on
whom many a young lady casts an eye o.
jealousy.
Ii is the belle ofthe evening, Elmira War
rem. Beside her sat the modest, and unpre
tending Eliza Morrill, conversing in a low
and less familiar tone than that ofher'cousin
to a young gentleman near her. Her face
wore rather a downcast expression, and she
looked not like one who enjoyed the festive
scene around her. All that evening she had
hardly been noticed by her proud cousin
and the feelings ofthe young girl were hurI
at the cold neglect. Becoming annoyed a
| the number Of young men who had gather
ed round her cousin and herself, she entreat
ed of her to retire to the drawing room. Blu
her cousin was too much engaged, TO mine
! the request. Finding no notice was taken o
!, her, Eliza took the arm ofthe young gentle
man, her companion, and was about to enteI
} the drawing room, when The outer door o
the hall opened, and a stranger, magnih
; Gently attired, entered.
), CHAPTER III.
A buzz of admiration arose round thu
room. as the handsome stranger entered
He was a tall and elegantly formed younI