Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-05-16


fore mo. forgot my little invalid at home. |
The mask was but little if any larger than
my wife yet there was fullness and ele-
gance of figure, a grace-and righteousness
Of motion in the former, which | had never
observed in the latter. NV wife had beau
tiful soft. glossy curls Of jet, but they could
never compare with the black tresses of
twining silk, which hung nearly TO the feet
Of my strange charmer. When we had got
clear of the ihrong, she again spoke:
Are You gentleman ?-one on whom
lady may in all honor depend 2
| answered, that to the best Of my knowl-
edge and belief was, and thought | might
be depended upon.
'Woud Won risk your own life, or destroy
that Of another, for a lady, if her honor re-
spired. and her love, would reward the act 2
For one ST iair,'su angelic as ,ourself,
would risk more than life =
A shudder seemed to pass through her
form; her little feet stamped the tcssciated
floor impalcnlly; her fingers were casped
together until they were bloodess as she con-
,inued:
Have You ever lovcdH
| replied with assumed Indifference.
Then YOU are not married Z
Il have been,' was my reply. Even so
decelifnl is man; even 50 is woman often
lost; for while he pours forth his ha,,ering
tale, she listens; listening, she ovcs-ov-
ing she is lost.
Again she showed marks of impotence
and excitement, as if some great trouble rest
ed on her mind. This pressed her to re-
veal to me-, offering every aid in my power
to defend her, or even to avcnge past wrong.
bcsought her to have confidence in my af-
lection, new hedged though it was, and to
test lis strength, even as she might Direct
She fitered hesiIaied for moment, and
then requested me TO await her return, hast
lily left the ballroom.
Now thought |, here is scrape for a
sober married man to yet into Perhaps
she may be some beautiful syren, who, know
} ing my weakness, where the fair sex is con-
, cerned, has laid IA trap TO invcigle and rob,
/ perhaps to murder me! s,hvI await>her
return !--or shalt fly the danger? But
am armed why should fear 7! | began
, also to think Of my poor invalid wife and
these thoughts coupled with my fear Of be-
r ,rayal, BY the aid Of little more solitude
would have conquered me. and sen, me
home: bat, at this critical moment, the
. mask returned, bearing in her hands Il
, heavy black veil. She brckoncd me to fol.
, low her into neighboring street, where, II
r moment, we stood beside close Contained
, volanir, into which she sprang, followed
/ her. She Immediately enveloped my head
o in the veil which she had brought, caution.
] ing me on my lIf. not to attempt 10 raise it.
= nn,"ss- 2'-h-: rorN.st.
The carriage started of with speed; in
f deed, the driver seemed to be urging hi,
horses at rapid galop. Our road was long;
for even at this speed we must have ridden
two hours, some Of the time over rough
rocky roads, aud along smoother ways, wher
: at last the painting animals were brought tc
stand. Immediately thereafter heard Il
creaking noise, as if a rorl-culis were sud
denly raised or some old gate swung back
on its unoiled hinges.
Speak not word, Whatever Won may
hear attempt not to raise the veil, or YOU
life and mine may be the forfeit Whispered
NV fair guide and while she spoke, | fr
that she lrcmbled from head to foot. lle
hand was cold as ice, and her impetuou'
e voice sliAcd and husk Before we advanced
n from the Carriage, she also made me vow BY
e all the saints in heaven, never to reveal wha
| might do or see in that nights adventure.
Il She then led me cautiously on, apparently
Y through large garden, for the cool nigh
e breeze bore the perfume of orange, cilron
pink, lemon and spice blossoms To my cheek
p We soon arrived at another door, which
$ creaked rustily as i, opened before us ant
e then our way seemed up winding s,ont
S staircase, through a passage so still, so sol
: EMMY silent, tia, it even echoed the ligh
football Of my companion, while my owl
|, heavy tread rang. like groans in cavern
n through the still. damp air.
| Until now the lady had not spoken sine,
n we had stepped from the volhnte; but as w
d arrived at the top Of the stairs, and passed
# into "A warmer atmosphere, she whispere,
that the hour to test my courage and love
: had arrived We stepped across a soft car
9 pet, and she seated me on yielding cushion
Il could see nothing through the thick vel
h which she had thrown over my face, yet
kind of business in the darkness before M
convinced me that was in lighted room
= No sound could hear, save the suppresse,
: breathing of my trembling companion, anC
1t the beating Of my own heart. After remain
i ing for moment on the ottoman, whicl
q shook from her nervousness. she again ad
d dressed me-:
IS you are armed with pistol and dagger !
: Il am,' said |, inwafdy pray ing that
/. might have no occasion TO use them.
i You will please give me those weapons,
said she.
= 'Uar thought I Il am betrayed ant
d she asks my weapons of defence, that ma,
t. be made an easier prey Let me ask,
d said I, 'your reasons for this strange re-
= quest
e A true lover never asks for reasons from
i one in whom he eonfdes,' answered tn,
v the mask : adding: The business | hav,
d in hand for you has need OF courage, calm
n ness, and prudence, hut your weapons coulC
IS avail you nothing. They will not he requir
g ed. She shudeered as she spoke. addin!
k quickly: Such as they have already don,
n too much
n She paused moment, md seemed to b,
l. schooling herself TO some dreadful task
Again she addressed me:
e Il have a tale to tell YOU, sir no, not
Is tale, but some questions TO ask. Had 20,
l. an only sister. one who was young, fair, in
l. nocent and ignorant Of the worlds wicked
Il .,,I