Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-08-28

YOU, rs usual hauil.
Ethel said St John, after long pause, and
speaking in constrained voice, YOU must learn
to live without me for much longer period
than week. You remember what spoke 10 you
about the last time we met | have since been
thinking Of some arrangements for final separa-
ton
The young girl looked at him in speechless won
der
Do dream she said at length Noel, rec
olcct now that you told me that il was sinful for
70 be together but cannot think so cannot
believe that 1t is CRIME for me to love the only
being from whom have ever known kindness or al.
lection. who has shielded me from poverty and dis
grace for so many years
Ethelp said the young minister, averting his
head as he spoke, holding the high moral station
which do, dare not set the worlds opinion at
defiance
And does it grudge the your society, .hen the
pleasure Of soothing your excited spirit when it has
been wounded by It's coldness-the Joy Of manifest
ing my love and gratitude to my presererp
You owe me no gratitude, my Ethel = said ST
John sorrowlully as he passed las arm around her
slight form; oh, that had possessed strength Of
mind to act for US both. when we first met-but it
is too late now. DO not weep So Ethel am
weaker than thought feel that | cannot part
with you yet-but you will think on what have
said
No, no = interrupted the girl, passionalely;
viii strive with all my heart to forget il and you
too, Noel you must promise me that this subject
shall never be mentioned again
lie pressed his lips to her white brow without
speaking for his heart failed him, and the speech
he had framed died away unpronOunced
Oh, how quickly the hours glide on when we are
happest! How soon a summer evening lils away
IN the presence of the beloved one So thought
the lonely Ethel, she sat 10 her little dwelling
watching the last lints Of the setting sun aud imag-
nng ont scenes and beings in the floating clouds
all love to do in hours Of silence aud SOL
nude. Aud when the dusky veil OF twilight had
fallen over the scene, she leaned back in gloomy
sadness, and reckoned how much time must neces-
sirily eapse before she could expect her only
freud again-how many sunsets she must watch ere
he came. Ethel was aroused from the re,erie into
which she had fallen by knock 81 the door, and a
voice enqulrug for Mr. ST. John
We has left about quarter Of an hour sir re-
Piled the servant girl but perhaps by driving fast
you might oycrake him on The road
Not very probable muttered the General--(or it
was he. Bat as my business is ofsome importance
perhaps can see your msircssP
The girl disappeared to enquire, aud on her re-
turn ushered him in silence into the usual sitting
apartment. Ethel rose in some embarrassment to
receive her unexpected VISITOR whose stern and
searching glance served little to relieve her aglta-
ton.
/ 4 presume that have the honor Of addressing
Mrs. ST. John said the General, bowling sifly.
Ethel coIored deeply as she replied, IN a scarcely
audible voice, that her name was llunny.
Perhaps his sister, then continued the old
man with perseyerng curiosity, and increased stern
ness
1T matters little 10 a mere stranger, should sup
pose replied the young girl, with some haughli-
ness 1t is sufficient that promise to convey to
him any message that you may think proper to leave
with me
She was moving hastily away, but the General
detained her
Not mere stranger. either Young lady, said he
bitterly. Many time have nursed him on my
knee when he was little thing scarcely higher than
the table
Pardon me, replied Ethel, with frank and win
ming smile. Mr. St. Johns friends must be mine,
and am proud to make the acquaintance of one of
his Oldest and best. You are General Morley. be-
| lever
i am, returned the old man, gazing compassion
ately into her beautiful face while he suffered the
hand, which she had eagerly extended to him, to
drop untouched by her side; and If Noel has men,
toned my name TO you, it must have been as one
who has always acted like father to him--of one
who has always acted like father TO him from his
very boyhood with the vigilance of lonely heart,
aud never believed or suspected until this mo-
ment tina, lie would prove so cold and calculating a
villain
Are you aware of whom You speak, and in whose
presence; asked Ethel proudly
Il am, madam. ] speak OF a fallen minister OF
God in the presence olhis mistress
The yolng girl clasped her hands wildly together,
and burg into flood OF passionate and irrepresslbe
tears,
Il understand all.now,' she said, sobbing violent
Nv az she spoke; hear for the first time what men
thik of me; and worse than all, what is believed OF
that generous being who has preserved me from
shame and sorrow at so great risk.
At this moment the maid thrust her head into the
room to inform the gentleman that her master was
returning for something he had forgotten, and would
be with him Immediately
Mr. ST. John entered the apartment with startled
aud agitaied air, and his flushed countenance be-
came suddenly pale as he recognized his unexpeet
ed visitor.
What brings you here ? he asked in voice O
thunder
"A purer motive than you can boast of, Mr.. St
John replied the General calmly.
Il undersand-you suspected this, and have beer
acting the part of spy-a base, dshonorable SPY
upon my conduct Why not seek me at once, in
, stead of piuiiully taking the advantage Of the ali
sence of her only protector, to heap your unmanl
: insults upon this unhappy girl
As he spoke he approached the chair into which
Ethel had sunk upon his entrance aud kneelinl
down beside it spoke to her in low aud soothin!
tone after few moments whispered conversation
she arose, and, leaning upon his arm quilted th
, room with trembling steps. The General ke'
after them with a fearful glance, and then resoute
y hardened his heart against the temperance o
his young friend.
Now said St. John, wildly, as he entered
j taunls and reproaches on my head-remind me @
the wide difference between my precepts and IN