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

he sad ito restt re it, and he exhibited the ring
Neville Immediately recognized as the one form
[erly owned by himself In moment he determ-
ined to possess himself of it, and without pausing
to question the man further, took out his pocket
book and paid the reward, telling him that it was
right and hprrying him away as quickly as pos
sble. vru-r.ar ftAr rle-I.o OF Yes
With the precious ring in his possession, Ne
vile felt equal to entering the lists with his rival,
and he determined that it should be the taisman
to decide his fate, either for good or evil This
citation of spirits however, did not long continue,
and day after day went by without his having
courage to put his intention into execution. Att
Fl length accident decided it for him. He was ly
ing one evening in the dark, upon sofa in the
piazza waiting the assembling of the family when
he was aroused from his reverie by the sound of
voices near him. Presently footsteps approach
ed from the ground, and he heard Henry Grants
voice, as he stepped upon the piazza, say to his
t companion .r9 s..I1a
81 will speak to my uncle tomorrow, 1t is
nonsense to defer our marriage from such over
strained considerations We shall be rich e.
nough for all our wants-and we are the persons
to be pleased p
= They passed into the house, and Neville saw
, that Laura was his companion Immediately he
S fled to the grounds, where, for several hours, he
4 paced with hurried steps When he returned
to the house al had retired but Mr. Grant, who
had awaited up with some anxiety, he said, owing
to his unusual absence Neville apologlzed with
t out explaining and, with the excuse Of severe
4 headache, retired to his room
7 In the morning, when the different members
: the family had dispersed, to attend to their u
: sual avocatons, Neville sent to request an inter-
: view with Miss Courtney for few minutes
= Laura obeyed the summons; but when she en-
c tered the room and observed Nevilles agitated
, comtenance, she became very pale, and sank III
to the first seat that offered.
: 81 sent for you Laura, he said, approaching
: her, "to return to you your property, which &C
c cidently came into my possession some days
!, since. 1t ought to have been done before, but
d weakly retained it, under the influence of feel
/ ings and hopes that it would now be folly to in
t. duge. | shall leave Mr. Grants to-day, and
h restore you this ring, which, perhaps, | should
a not have detained, with an apology for the
t. liberty, and my best wishes for your happiness,
is and he handed her the ring
Laura started as she recognized her lost trea
!, sure and the blood rushed violently to her face
At Oppressed by contending emotions she spoke not
= but bent her face upon her hand; and the tear;
|, which she strove in vain to SUPPRESS burst from
y her eyes.
S Neville gazed upon her in silence for few
k moments, then approaching and taking her hand
he said, in a tone of deep feeing-"Whyd do you
5, weep, Laura This ring can recall no broken
dream of happiness to you. IT'S l who shoult
.. weep, who go forth alone into world which
L henceforward, will be to me nought but barren
ness and desolation. You are in the enjoyment
RS ofevery earthly happiness-loving and beloved
n There should be no room for tears in your heart
lie Oh Laura he continued passionately, ''why
must this be ! Was there no echo in your heart
If Have you forgotten the hours we passed together
when you believed yourself bound to me by the
e dearest of earthly ties Have you forgotten al
lie the past !"
l. He paused as, suddenly rising, Laura's ex
IRENE agitation became evident to him, and
y standing before her, in an altered voice. he con
l. tinued-"Forgive me, Laura, know not wha
= | say should have remembered that you are
G the pledged wife of another. Yet even Mr. Gran
g might forgive words such as these addressed t,
e his promised bride"
= "Promised bride Mr. Grant," exclaimed
" LARA as she Flied her head, while an express
n ion ofextreme surprise came over her counte
a nance "Henry Grant is the promised HUSBAND
i'd of my friend but not mine-no, not mine y
lie Never did despair lift her veil more suddenly
g from the human heart. Neville stood motionless
ID gazing upon Laura, scarcely realizing what hi
ID heard, while she, with downcast eyes, and all TIN
a. varied emotions which struggled within painted
at upon her face, sat before him in silence
y At length he approached her, with a voice
Is whose silver tones melted like music in her ear
g he said Laura, dearest Laura believe havt
t. been mad. Can you forgive me for the share m,
g conduct has had in affecting you And may
N may | believe that am not to be the miser
at able man short time since, thought was p
lie He took up the ring which, in her agitation sht
d had suhered to tall upon her lap, ana Dent MI
, head till his lips touched the hand which restec
. near him. The little hand was yielded to hi
E. clasp, and in silence she suffered him to place
the ring upon her finger. = ..I.
is The explanations which followed between the
/ lovers we leave to the imagnations of our read
'e ers. They will all readily understand how Lau
l. IA should have become the confdant of an at
W tachment between her intimate friend and
f young man with whom she had lived, for somt
J. years, on terms Of brotherly intercourse ant
ID how that intimacy may have been msunder
G stood.
s. Mr. and Mrs Grant were too generous to with
e hold their sympathy and appreciation where the
d happiness of one whom they so truly valued wa
, concerned, while joy in her prospects was mixed
Is with the reuret with which thew anti inotad tbai