Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-01-29

honor, and that maiden modesy that shrinks from
showing an unsolicited attachment She believed
that if she could convince EfTie that she herself
was beloved by Aston, she would be too proud ey.
err to look upon him as a lover and that if Alston
supposed DeIamere a successful and favored ad-
mrer OF Efties that the pride would make
him stand aloof and forbid him to seek an expana.
ton Effie was too ingenious and high-souled to
suspect Clara of acting this doubly treacherous
part She felt as only nature like hers can feel
that Dudley Aston was more and more estranged
from her but she believed Clara was suppanting
her in his affections, and dsdained either by look
or word TO draw him back to his allegiance.
"What do you think of Dudley Aston, Ellie ?"
asked Clara, abruptly, when they Glanced to be a.
lone.
Efio's quick blood rushed burningly to her
cheeks.
Gas the associate Of my youthful pleasures, as
my fellow student and fellow traveller, he must nat
urdlly seem very near TO me-" she answered. with
assumed composure.
ale is very handsome, very pleasing" said Cla-
ra, with affected confusion, 81 and cannot help IL
king HIM better than any one | ever knew: you
who have known him SO long can tell me whether
may trust hm-l will say it, Eflie--whether
may dare to love him"
Elfie turned deadly pule-she looked in her sis
! ter's face and asked the simple question
Has he told You he loved you, Clara ?'
"Good heavens what question:" exclaimed
I
think that would have made such a confession had
| not been IN the first place aware of his love ?"
No, surely you would not, answered she, in
voice strange and unnatural, that Clara trcmbled
at the bold step she had taken. She began to fear
the consequences.
"Wh0t is the natter Fife ?" said she stare
you faint 2"
." don't know" she replied passing her hand
hurriedy over brow, but the air is very close here
| will go into the balcony"
She she spoke, and Clara rose simutane-
ousy.
81 would rather be Alone" said Eiiie and Cla-
ra dared not follow.
1.-THE hour of trial is come" thought Ellie " let
me meet it without blenching!"
She wandered into the garden and sat down
der the shade of the sycamore where her uncle had
found her years before, longing in the bitterness of
her young heart to die. How long she sat, she
knew not-she aroused by the approach of
Dudley Aston, who, seeing her sitting like pale
statue there, forgot for the moment, the whitening
doubts which Clara had been breathing into ibis
"Efic, why are you here sitting so pale and
still 7" cried he, in tone of the deepest tender
Efie rose and leaned against the tree for sup
port
Lean on me, dearest Efie," continued he, pas.
sing his arm around her waist, and drawing her
towards him; "you are ill-you are faint"
Indignation gave her strength, as she released
herself from his clasping arms.
{" can forgive Inconsistency, Dudley, but not in
suit" said she, and the lightning darted from her
eyes -" you remember that told you, if the hour
should come, when your heart was not who'll mine,
| would not wed my fate to yours, though life
should be The sacrifice. Had you nobly and in
genuously told me that you longer loved me,
that my more beautiful sister had won the affection
you once thought mine, | would have forgiven,
would still have loved you a brother. But to
mock me still with looks and words of seeming
love, cannot, will not bear it,"
"By the Heavens above!' exclaimed the young
man, vehemently, (" / swear this charge is false
who dares to accuse me: If it be Delamere, his
lily face shall soon wear another livery"
"No, Dudley--wrong not one who is incapable
Of any thing mean and eliminating. Clara her
self has disclosed to me your love and hers, and
here declare you free from all allegiance TO me-
as the cloud that is passing over the But she
may well build her home on that thin grey cloud
trust for happiness to heart as light and vain
as yours"
"Efle !" cried he forcibly Selling her hand, and
holding her back she turned to depart; "you
shall not 60 from me thus. Come with me into
your sisters presence, and let her explain this
shameful mystery. have never breathed one syl-
liable 20 her but the common place language of ad-
miration. My heart has never wandered from you
toward her, or one of woman kind. Come with me.
| | demand it as act of justice-l claim it as a
sacred right"
"Yes,' exclaimed deeper voice from behind,
"he has a right and will sustain it,"
And Mr.. Horton emerged from an arbor, which
the foliage of the spreading sycamore partially
formed. He had been reading in the shade-one
of his daily habits in summer-and had overheard
a conversation traught with intense interest to him.
Strange the good man despised the character Of
listener, and yet it was the second time he had
I involuntaily acted the part Of one, in the really
&c II,u
dignant and excited, and drawing Elites trembling
arm through his, he led her toward the house with
no tagging footsteps. As they came through a
back path they entered the room before Clara had
time to escape When she met her unce'S stern
eye and frownng brow, she knew she was to be
araigned a criminal, in the presence of the
i man for whom she had battered her integrity and
battered it in vain.
81 have lost him forever" whispered her sinking
T heart, "but will never recant what have sdidhe
shall never be hers"
"Clara," said her uncle, approaching still
nearer, and keeping his piercing eyes upon her.
"Tell me the truth on your souls per-has this
Young men ever made professions of love to you ~
81 have revealed it to my sister, and cannot deny
it to you:"
"This is too much " exclaimed Dudley turning
hueless as ashes, -" Oh, if she were but man ~
} ''peOce Dudley" cried Mr.. Horton, in com,
handing voice. Then turning 10 Clara.
6 | remember years ago, little girl who wan
tonly broke the geranium her mother priced, and
to screen herself from blame, boldly accused hel
innocent sister of the fault she had herself
= committed. Have you forgot it ?-or The shame
J and sorrow Of that fatal hour' Clara you are still
the same false, false TO the very hearts core"
"You always hated me-" cried Clara, trying tc
assume holder tone in the desperation of her sit
; uation "you always hated me, and took Efie's
part against me. wouldn't have told her what
did, though have said nothing but the TRUTH if
had thought she would have cared any thing about
} it. Pm sure she might be satisfied with her new
lover, Mr.. Delamere, without making such fus;
} about cast-away, TO whom | condescended tc
show some favor.
"Clara" exclaimed Fife, raising her brow from
her uncles shoulder, where she had bent it in an.
nnish md shnr,n hl1rnrr This dionrncnEn