Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-10-08
THE CURSE.
ny mIss rLlzA 4. prrur.

81 should like to know the history Of this sai,
! ], raising long glossy ring Of hair, which Iay in
small Iewel-boN IN the neatesi corner Of nv aunt
weiarranged drawers. A shade passed over he
| placid face, and her voice trcnbled as she said
II Is the dearest relic possess Of valued friend
Not dry PASSES, that do no, look on il aud cal
TO mind the last hour it shaded her lovely brow.
II You wish to hear her history, my dear | will
'n's evening, read you sketch Of her life IIel
picture hangs IN my private sitting.roofn"
marked her, AMI inmeiiaely called to mind
portrait, with curtain before it, which my ami
never allowed any one to raise Years had inter
vened since she had looked on it herself
MY dear girl, she added, lyon have Frequently
wished 10 see that portrait. Go now. and satisfy
your curiosity go and look on the image Of ono
who, IN beauty aud goodness was lille inferior Ia
angels--and prepare yourself to listen to her
story"
required no second permission and in few
moments was standing before the mysterious pic
iure the curtain drawn back and my eyes riye,.
ted on the logeliest face had ever beheid. The
portrait was that Of girl in the bloom OF Youth and
the countenance was radiant with life, hope, and
Joy II seemed to me TO demand sometime more
than the mere epiihet of beautiful A prond i'm
pass'oned spirit beamed from the dark eyes. and
smile with more Of tenderness than mrtb in il,
slightly curied tic deep red lips. gazed on this
glorious creature with unsated deligi t. until the
approach oil night concealed her from my view and
my thoughts REQUIRED TO the promised narrative
on entering my aunt's room. was surprised at
her appearance. bright fire burned on the hearth,
and her work'stand was drawn before il. on which
she leaned, with her hands clasped over her brow
Two candles, with noddng wicks, we're casting
'helf feeble light over her person. aud several sheets
OF closely written paper, lay on chait beside her
I'm hearing the noise made at my entrance. she
raised her head, and said
us II you already! did not think il so late +"
Her lace was deaihly pale, aud her lips quiyer.
ed with suppressed emotion. She pointed TO
seat near the FIRE. which ! took in silence for
was TOO much surprised to speak, at such evident
tokens OF suffering from one had thought incapa.
BILE OF feeling violent passions Of any descrption'-
NY aunt belonged to that reprobatcd class ycIept
s Sa % saa saa bad aaSp'sd & &
posal. l. of all creatures, had the least right to
suppose this. for she my friend. my benefac-
lress and from my early childhood had bestowed |
on the Of an affectouate mother. Amer a
few moments spent in endeavoring TO compose
herself she took up the papers, aud carefully ar
ranging them, said
81 did not suppose the sight Of these could have
agiiai ed me thus thought time had siiIled the
pulses that ihrobbed almost to madness, when the
events here recorded took place"
She then proceeded 10 read the following s,o-
ry:-
II was late on cold evening in November, in the
year ls, that the mistress OF Que of The first board
ing-schools in Philadelphia, informed tina,
gentleman wished to speak with her. On entering
the pariour, Mrs Bentham found tall elegant look
ing man. in the prime Of life, who Immediately adj
dressed her with the ease of one who had been ia
miiar with the most polished society. He held
girl Of twelve years of age by the hand, and he in
formed Mrs Bentham that he wished TO place the
child under her care.
"You will find her wild and uniutored," he re.
marked "for she has had no mother to watch over
her infancy and fear she has been sadly neglect
ed, as circumstances have rendered II impossible
for me to have her under my own eye"
There was a slight uemor in his voice as he Ut
tered these words which insensibly interested Mrs
Bentham, and she assured him that with proper
management, any evil habits the little girl had form
ed would be easily counteracted
II leave her entirely 10 you, madam" replied he
stranger. "My habits are SO desuory, that II is
impossible for me to say when can have her with
me. Indeed, j: is probable shall not be able TO
see you again for some years. ] will pay the ex-
penses of the first three years in advance and, If
should not be here al the end Of that time, will
send you an order on Messrs.- for any addition
al expense that may be incurred during that period
aud after it has expired II is my wish. madam,
tina, my daughter shall have every advantage your
seminary affords"
All premnsres were speedily settled aud the
daughter of the stranger (who called himself MIR
Foyd) was received as a pupil in the school. -
Genevieve Floyd was a sprightly child, aud i'm
proved rapidly in every branch Of education. She
remained with Mrs Beniham FIVE years, and, in that
time, her father had never visited her, though she
heard constantly from him, and Mrs Ben,ham's bills
were regularly discharged Al the age Of seventeen,
she was beautiful fairy ever tripped over a
moon litIlawn. She was spirited and intelligent,
with most affcciionate and ingenious disposition.
She was The favorile Of The whole school bui there
was one among her young companions who claim
ed her most devoted friendship.
Mary Adams was an orphan, and wealthy
heiress. She had no prelensions TO the surprising
beauty Of Geneyie,e, or the sprghliuess ofhe
mind, but she was gentle, pretty creature, with
much deeper feelings Than she generally thought
to possess, The two girls were Of the same age
and GeneyieVe having no home Of her own to 90
to- had been in the habit ofspeuding her vacations
with her friend. She now began 10 look forward
to the time when her father would take her from
school, as her studies were nearly all completed
and she could not help feeling some surprise at bis
silence on the subject The close OF the last ses-
sion came, and Geneyieve had not heard from him
for some months. She accompanied Miss Adams
TO the residence OF her guardian, hoping while there
10 receive summons from her mysterious parent,
to his own abode. Mary Adams was to return to
school no more and she was anticipating with eager
delight her introduction into society.
"You have never seen my cousin Charles p sand
Miss Adams TO her young companion, few morn
ings after their arrival in Baltimore. During all
your former visits he was absent al college"
"No, have never seen him" said Geneyeye 81
am glad he is coming. From your description Of
him, expect 10 see quite PreHz eheraHT."