The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-08-20

and awful youth had checked and driver
lack the tide of emotions that belonged to 1T
epoch, only that it might swell now with thu
concentrated might of loftier sentiment, {
chastened tenderness and restrained passion
He would-ere half that time had expired
have perilled life to have touched her unglov
ed hand or to have cased the light ringle
which fouted beyond her bonnet.
1t seemed too, that fortune was to favor
him, for friends came up and addressed Mrs
Cunningham mutual introductions ELECTED
that of Helen. He had but to follow them tc
the door, and now he knew who she was, and
where she lived Thus he did with wonder
full calmness. People are always calm on re-
ally great occasions, except indeed, people
who are themselves too small ever to make OF
understand them.
Well-the pigmy of soul escape through
the entangling meshes which Fate weaves for
mankind, into the outer void of mere animal
existence; they are the strong Of heart and
quick of sense who are retained to play great
parts in the struggle of life and the war of
the passions. And yet and yet, oh mystery
of humanity who that has suffered deeply
has not felt that in the deepest depths of an
guish there is pulse which vibrates not with
| pain. Feebly, and rather as the first faint
promise of future joy, than the flicker of an
expiring power, but still to console, still to
whisper Peace, peace; better thus, than
not to feelw
So felt William Johnson-for by that COM
mon name must the stranger be known-so
he felt in the hour of endurance, when that
strong man writhed in silent agony on the
floor of the gorgeous apartment Of which he
was master.
Life is either one long chapter of accidents
or there is no such thing as an accident in the
world Three days afterwards the stranger
of the concert was formally introduced to
Helen Travers at the house of mutual
friend. Three months from that day let us
listen to their words they had been betroth-
ed for weeks. The scene was drawing
room in an antique country house. Both
were the guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Cunning
ham.
Il have but one care, William, one sorrow
in the world" exclaimed Helen, pressing the
hand which had tondly clasped hers between
both her own; sob, why this mystery, why
this concealment! You are free to do as you
will, and so am l T.; though good and gene
rous, and true, and rich," she added with
smile, "as you are, my family you well know,
would receive you with open arms !"
The time is come be seated" he replied |
in tremulous voice, and releasing his hand |
with gesture that might have been, but was |
not mistaken for GOODNESS. And while Helen !
sank on a neighboring couch, he leaned his
arm for support on the opposite OF the mantel
piece. His countenance was pale as ashes
but his voice grew more steady as he proceed
ed.
"The first time I saw you" he continued
II heard you say you could more readily for
give the one great fault of a life, than habit
ual mcanness of character. | have two sins
to confess ere | would wed you-as | might
do, and you never, never know them; you
see if am my own accuser, also make the
most of my virtues; therefore do | take some
credit for enforcing secrecy till | had sum-
moned strength for the confession. For if
you reject me, and sorrow in the act,I believe
YOU would rather not take the cold world into
your confidence. And yet, ifthere be solacc
in revealing what tell you, be free as air to
10 so ifyou will. Life would be so worthless,
the betrayal ofmy secret would be but teath-
err, weighed against the sweet thought Of as
Suaging your sorrow"
you frighten me" murmured Helen ,strug-
cling with emotion.
In mercy" he exclaimed, "not tears-yet
[ will be brief One of my sins has been
wooing you, with the dark knowledge in my
breast that a crime of my early life and its
might well be considered an in
superable obstacle to our union. Oh for
rive me this-this at least" AS he flung
himself on his knees before her, and buried |
his face in her garments.
"What terror is to come? Quick-quick;
in pity tell me-
"No forgive me this last fault first"
" Yes, yes" she murmured, and her hand
leaned heavily on his shoulder The act I'M
nerved him, and a shower of tears rained
from his eyes. "Tell me-" again she whis-
pered,
g. cannot yet. Bear with me-"
Then will guess"
Gay, do"
With shudder as she put each fearful
question, she began-"Have you shed human
1lood protected by the laws of honor, and
eel that now you are murderer ?"
Il never raised my arm in anger against
lught that has breath. / never so much as
Kicked snarling cur from my path"
/" Have you been false FRIEND deceiving
when you were trusted?"
L" l cannot recall to mind lie that l ever
old"
Once more Helen's hand sought that of her
over but she withdrew it as terrible tho't
'ushed to her mind. She paused ere she
Gould give it words. At last She said, "Have
you been guided by the code of mans morali-
les, and won heart only to fling it from you?
'r-or been guilty ofthe deeper, darker wrong
till ?"
"My conscience is singularly free from all
UGH stains. They who do these things speak
lot Of them as crimes" And he looked up
nd met the fearful gaze of Helen Travers,
without his own lids dropping.
"Then will wed you," she exclaimed after
moments pause, "and only as your wife will
earn this dreadful secret"
"You will?" and William johnson started
0 his feet as one who had received an electric
hook.