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

can't help their looks. But hers were uncommon"
"Do you think you would know her now, after
so long an absence 7"
"Yes-I should know her any where She
looked like nobody in the world but herself"
hafsuppressed sigh which followed these
words, sounded in Eiles ear like the music of the
spheres. She unconsciously echoed it, and it was
echoed yet again, for the pensive Delamere was
lingering by her side, and this token of sensibility
interested him more than all the brilliancy of her
attractions"
"Can she have known sorrow 2" thought he
The next self-interrogation -" Has she known
love-and OH how ardently, how devotedly," thus
continued his medilations "such being must
love Would she accept the reins of heart, once
imprisoned as her own? Would she minge the
unfaded blossoms of her youth with the dark cy-
press and melancholy yew 2"
Eilie, touched by the soft gloom that hung like
a cloud around him, lent more than willing ear
to his conversation. But, while she listened to
| him, her thoughts often wandered to one whom
Clara kept ever near her. and to whom her eyes turn
ed with an expression of unequvocnl admiration.
A pang sho. though her heart, such as but one pas
sion can inflict Then another succeeded that she
was capable of yielding TO such an emotion.
"lf he be not mine, wholly mine, heart, soul, and
life, will resign him. though die in the effort"
was the language of the maden's soul Her love
had hitherto flowed on, clear, unrufiled stream,
rising in the green hills Of adolescence, its channels
margined with flowers, and its current glided by
the sunbeams. Now the waters were becoming
troubled for they were rolling over a rocky bed
Did the rocks beoken that whirlpool near,
and was the frail bark Of her happiness to be wreck
ed in its vortex?
One morning. when the demon of ill-temper,
reused by some petty disappointment, had full pos
session Of Clara, and proud Mrs. Dushane, as usu
al, was the victim of its infections letter was re-
ceved from Mr.. Horton, announcing his return
from Europe, and his intention of visiting her inn
medately, with his adopted daughter This an
nuncation could not have been made at moment
more propitous for her spirit chafed and
smarting from the ungrateIul conduct of Clara
She sat, however, like one In trance, for she was
ashamed and perplexed in what manner to receive
her long estlanged daughter. An acknowledged
heress, fresh from the courts Of Europe, be-
ing OF some consequence, no matter how ugly she
might be.
"Poor Efie!" exclaimed she, 81 did treat her
shamefully, and all for the most selfish and passion
ate of human beings, with nothing on earth to re-
commend her but little beauty, of which ! am
getting heartily sick"
"Oh! Madam Mamma cried Clara, who still
retained some Of the deeply respectful language of
her childhood, " it is too late to sing that song you
are ten times more vain Of me than am of myself.
If | am vain, you taught me to be so; if | am pas
sionate, you set me the example. 1t won't do for
folks that live in glass houses to throw stones. But,
good Heavens, what shall do with Eiie, at all
these fine parties they are making for Miss Horton
Oh! | forget she can talk Greek and Latin and
French and Italian. She is learned lady, and will
put me quite in the shade. An heiress, too! Per-
haps Dudley Aston will fall in love with her
What in the world shall say to her: | declare
never felt so strange about any thing in my life'
"You had better treat her kindly, if it is only
from policy, Miss Clara, for though you deserve it
not, she may share her fortune with you-for re-
member well the poor thing generous to fault"
Clara, upon reflection, concluded to act upon this
hint, and she began to think too that it would be
delightful thing to have Eltie near as foil to her
own beauty. She would shine still brighter in the
dark-beaming eyes Of Dudley Aston.
Mrs. Dushane felt in a state of trepidation the
remainder of the day. The sound of carriage
wheels made her start and change color. The sud
den opening of the door made her heart beat al
most to suffocation.
"Oh how | wish it were over" she would say.
" If only knew how she felt towards me, should
feel easy. If only knew how she looked She
can't help being ugly though"
About the twilight hour, the carriage of Mr.. Hor-
ton did indeed roll up TO the door, and Mrs. Du-
shane beheld her brother descend with yelled Ia
DIV clingmC to his arm large shawl wrapped
her figure though the weather did not seem to re-
uuire such protection. Even when she entered
they could see nothing of her face through the
thick veil that covered it.
"Ugly still !" thought Clara, or she would not
take such pains to hide herself"
81 have brought you back daughter" said Mr..
Horton, after embracing his sister and Clara but
remember my sister, if you place the least value
on brothers love- not to wound her feelings again,
| with regard to her personal deficiencies. She
comes to you good, affectionate and intelligent
girl, who cherishes vindictive feelings for the
past, and who is anxious 10 show you all the ten
derness Of child"
"Ony promise to love me, my mother. half as
lup do lin
voice, throwing her arms around her mothers neck
and leaning her head on her shoulder, Z" and will
not ask for more"
Mrs Dushane, completely overcome by this I'M
expected soitness and humility, pressed the yelled
f figure Of her child to heart, and wept and sobbed
till her brother led her to a seat, and Gained her
, agitation
, "And you too, my sister," cried the same sweet
tremulous voice, "et US henceforth love one anoth-
! en-"
Clara returned the embrace with semblance Of
1 warmth, but she was dying with curiosity to look
t under the green veil and the muffng shawl. She
saw with surprise, however, that the hand which
= claspcd hers of exquisite delicacy and symme
try, soft and jeweled as her own.
= "Let me take off your bonnet and shawl" said
t she; 'you must be very warm"
The servant at this moment entered with lights
thus dispensing the shades of twilight which inger
Il ed in the ROOM Ellie first gave the shawl into
Clara's hand, revealing by the act the full outlines
of her splendid figures then throwing off the bon
e net and veil, and shaking back her jetty ringets
she turned and knelt at her mothers feet
o "Behod your Eae - exclaimed she, "no Longer
t. sullen and unloving, and trust no longer ugly
My dear uncle was determined you should admire
e me, before you knew my identity you must for
e give me for having appeared in masquerade. Hav
ing assumed his honored name, 1t was an easiel
II task. think you liked me as a stranger ;-refuse
@ not to love me now"
Mrs. Dushanc was so bewildered and astonished
= and delighted, she was very nearly falling into
Il hysteric fits. When she was composed enough tc
i speak, she repeated in kind of triumph
" said she looked like our Efie-I said she
r. made me think Of our Ehie."
O Clara's blooming cheek turned to the whiteness
/ of marble The chill Of envy penetrated her heart
i The fascinating being, whom she dreaded as ri.