Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-02-26

Lnere was anger, tenderness, almost agony,
in the young mans voice as he spoke and Lucy
could feel that his whole frame shook with emo
tons that he strove in vain to conquer.
| Il know all that you could tell me, at least |
know enough to make me serve yoet mother to
the utmost of my power was the low and timid
reply which Lucy Lee gave to those passionate
words; her heart was brim full of emotions that
no language could express; she could only feel,
and tremble like frightened bird at her own
feelings
AS they approached the broad steps that led
to Mrs Hudson's dwelling, Stanton paused, and
taking the hand which lay upon his arm, grasped
it so tightly that the young girl could scarcely
suppress a cry of pain. Il have yet more to say
he exclaimed, in broken voice 1t is my
birthday, l am twenty-one. Perhaps-nay, |
foresee that it must be sol shall leave my
mothers house her husband hates me, and
have reason to think that my presence but og-
grayates his cruelty to her. 1t is strange, but
she loves him yet better than all the world be-
side, better than her son or the memory OF my
father, who was so devoted, so good | have
scarcely ever spoken to you before, Lucy Lee,
and you may think my request singular one
but have not been unmindful Of fgoodness}
of your sweet and gentle nature. but it
we're madness to say more than this-when
am gone you will stay by my mother, you will
stand in the place of her child save that when
he was passionate and Maynard, your softer ma
ture will be gentle and kind-no matter what
happens, you will promise to remain with her
when am gone Can you promise this ?
Lucy could only answer, i do promseP and
even in uttering these few words her voice SCUM
ded low and husky. A chill had lalIennpon all
the sweet feelings but just breaking to life in her
bosom the blossoms that seemed bursting to
flowers in her heart, but moment before, were
crushed to death in the sweet unfolding When
he acdS gOnc-that moment the young girl read
her own heart, and turned faint in the reading.
She knew we'll that when he was gone the flu
ture would be blank to her But Lucy was
not deficient in that modest pride which gives
dignity to womanhood tears spraug to her eyes
but though darkness was around her, she crush.
ed them back, and walked on mole firmly than
before He still held her hand,- but it lay III
his grasp cold and motioncss.
Oh, it is a painful lesson when woman first
gains power to still her trembling nerves, freeze
the quiyering lip to marble, and force her gush
ing tears back to their fountain. After a few
such struggles it takes a strong blow to wiring
water from the rock, within which her sweet i'm
pulses are locked up.
: Stanton left his young companion in the hal
and entered his mothers sitting ROOM 1t wa.
a small boudoir, luxuriously furnished, and open
ing to a bed-chamber on one side, and balco
Iny, which overhung the garden, on the other
This balcony had been sashed into pretty con
scrv atory, and now full of the most costly plants
= which filled the boudoir with fragrance The
sash windows were open which led to this little
aower-nook, and couch of crimson silk stood
before them; a current of air stAh- softly by
sweeping a cloud of perfume oytyc the couch a
every breath, and swaying tall crimson japonic;
that hung half within the room, to and fro, til
one queenly blossom now and then almost touch
ed the pallid cheek of person sleeping on the
couch 1t was Mrs. Hudson, who lay with he
face half buried in the snow ola laced and frilleC
: pillow, which was crushed under her head ant
damp with tears,
Stanton drew a deep breath, for this picture
of still and luxurious quiet struck upon his hear
like mockery. 1t was in sad contrast with the
humble picture Of content which he had JUS
witnessed in cid Mrs. Lees garnet bedroom
How true and beautiful was his remembrance O
that little room. 1t rose before him like pic
ture-that humble tea-table, the pale and sweet
ly benevolent face ofthat good old woman The
young girl sitting by her side, pleading her mer.
ry voice with the cheerful hum of Ahe tea-ketle
as she pressed her aged companiex to have the
antquaed china cup filled again There all
was poverty and content Here was the extreme
of luxury, with bitterness and and sorrow Re
fnement o. taste, lavish expenditure of wealth
ireigned before him, even to righteousness Cab
met pictures, of great merit, were Iooped to the
walls by silver cords In every angle of the
room small tables of rare mosaic cleaned through
the richly bound volumes heaped upon them
The carpet was like bed of trampled autumn
flowers, and overhead, swinging from the cell
ing by silver chain, a small alabaster lamp
shed its mild light, alike on the gorgeous betray-
ais of wealth and on the form of their occupant,
who lay upon the couch, with one pale hand
dropping to the carpet, and her white morning
dress falling in disordered folds about her, as
she sunk to painful sleep amid her tears.
Stanton held his BREATH and moving softly
toward the couch, sank upon his knees, and re-
NAMED for some moments gazing aAectonately
on the sleeper. 1t was a painful .ght, those
sunken eyes with the dark shadows deepening
around them the pale forehead, lined premature
y with troubles, and contracted by the miserable
thoughts that haunted her sleep.
At length he took her hand which had fallen
to the carpet softly between his own, and pres
sed his lips upon it, The touch slight as it was,
awoke his mother. She turned up with faint
cry and flung her arms around his neck
You have come back-I knew that you
would not be so cruel, Oh, Hudson, do not
- i