Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-11-26

IN The grave.
A repetition OF Ada Landors confession now
followed Clayton was an agta,ed listener, at
times rising and pacing the room, and then return
ing to his seat, aud gazing eagerly into the face of
the speaker.
"And Edith is really innocent Heaven bless
you, dear Viola, for that assurance ~ he exclaimed
when she had finished
And now" she resumed after a brief pause,
:" let me proceed 10 detail to you a circumstance
which is connected with what have been speaking
Of You will, perhaps, remember that some years
ago, while travelling through Vermont, you were
obliged, from The incemency oil the weather, 10
seek shelter at a farmhouse near byr'
Clayton replied in the affirmative.
At that farmhouse" continued Viola, your
attention attracted by the appearance of little
girl who was treated harshly by all the household
You became much interested in her, aud during |
your stay showed her marked kindness once shield
ing her from blow which the farmer would have |
inflicted on her. At parting you took ring from
your finger and placing it upon hers, babe her
keep it as a token Of remembrance. That ring
was the same that has been the author Of so much
mischief, and the name of the child to whom you
presented il was-Ediih Courtlandw
al do not understand you-it all seems very
strange" cried Clayton, completely bewildered at
this intelligence.
Listen for few moments more, and the mys-
terry shall be explained The father Of Edith was
once a wealthy merchant. But having engaged
largely in specuations, these, together with the
expected treachery Of friend, proved his ruin
He did not long survive the blow, but died, leaving
his vie and an only child almost wholly unprovid-
| ed for. AT the period OF her husbands decease
| Mrs. CORTLAND was though, 10 be in a decline
but perceiving that something must be done for
her childs sake, having relations, and but few
| friends in New York. she summoned all her re-
naming strength, and resolved TO undertake a
A.
several relatives, from whom she hoped to obtain
all necessary assistance, resided Her resolution
was quickly put into practice but she did not en-.
tlrely accomplish IT, for while yet many miles from
her destination she suddenly felt herself unable to
travel further, aud was obliged to seek accommo.
dations at the nearest dwelling, which happened TO
be the farmhouse at which you afterwards found
shelter. Here she fingered for a lew days refusing
TO write TO her friends she hoped very soon to
be able to pursue her journey. But each day the
lady continued TO grow weaker and before another
week had elapsed she breaihed her last, and Edith
was left alone in land Of strangers. Her moth
er's kindred were Immediately written to--bui
either they did not receive the letter, we're un.
willing to burden themselves with child who had
no claims upon their kindness, save those Of dis.
tant reationship-for answer was returned
The farmer, at whose house she had remained
would now have cast her forth upon the world but
his vile rather better disposed toward the or
phan, and at her solicitation Edith was allowed to
continue a member Of their household. While
there, her unprotected state daily subjected her TO
notifications and unkindness when she com.
pared the tenderness to which she had been accus
toned with the harshness now exercised toward
her, the change preyed upon her spirits, and her
health, which had never been good became still
more delicate. Those who behold her now would
find it very difficult to recognize her the puny
} and slckly child of by-gone years Till you ap-
' peared she had not for long while received a
I word OF kindness and the service you rendered
her together with the interest you manifested in her
situation, won her lasting gratitude, for Edith, child
though she was, possessed then feelings whose
, strength and depth were little suspected
; "Abo1t year after the period when you first
behed Edith Couriland an aunt of hers, veal
thy widow lady. and her fathers only sister, who
had for some years resided in England returned TO
her native land and instituted inquiries concerning
the destination of her orphan niece. For some
time they were entirely Ruthless and the lady was
about TO give up her attempts in despair when by
a fortunate accident the abode OF her brother
child was discovered, and Edith found permanent
home beneath the roof of her kind aunt, who, be-
ing childless, received her her adopted daugh.
y ter.
4 And now though possessed of everything that
p wealth could procure, and continually surrounded
with friends that admired and loved her Edith new
er forgot the one from whom in her desolate state
she had experienced kindness The emerald ring
!. was her choicest treasure. For long time she
wore it attached to chain, for il too dear to
Il her 10 allow any eye hut her own to gaze upon il.
# At length, from an incident (which you aware,
she learned that the ring had become subject both
Of curiosity aud remark among those with whom
If she daily associated and after this discovery
she wore it no longer in public. During her inter
!. course with society," Edith received many advanta-
geous offers, but she looked indiferently upon all
l. but thoughts of but one alone occupied her mind
d That ORe-Waer Clayton-that one was yourself
d and she longed eagerly 10 behold you more
J. She had become acquainted with many who as she
found, were friends Of yours, and from those she
learned that you were travelling in Europe though
e expected soon to return. You came at last-wls
if Introduced to Edith but did not recognize the little
IT girl who had first claimed your notice years before
J. Edith referred 10 her previous acquaintance
with you from maidenly motives. The only cir.
y cumstance that prevented her explaining the 'mys.
tory of the ring on the evening when you were last
l. with her, was the knowledge that you doubted heI
ID "a thought which siung her TO the soul
% I" have no more TO say. And now, Walter
will leave you. Edith knows moi Of my visit here
" nor do think she would have sanctioned IT, fol
she still deems that you wronged her il
ID thought. Seek her Immediately ALL"
On the afternoon Of the same day on which the
n above incident occurred, Edith CORTLAND was il
her dresslngToom in earnest conversation with vi
'e ola Lander, when servant appeared and presented
10 her card, adding that the owner desired an i'm
er mediate interview. Very pale became the cheel
Sc Of Edith she glanced upon the inscription ant
ut when The servant departed, unable TO control he
feelings, she sank upon the nearest seat and wep
Id aloud. Viola sweet Viola Lander, tendery stroy