Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-04-16
select Tales.
From Arthur's Magazine for March.
LILIAS LEE;
OR, THE B~ETROTHED.
BY HENRY FENToN.
Concluded.

Brightly beamed the morning sun over hill
and dale, on the day succeeding the events just
related. Waldeford, as usual, was up with the
lark, and had sought in the %quietude that mark
ed external nature, some alienation of the con
aicting passions that ragged within his BOSOM
That day had been selected for a sailing expedl-
ton, and had been anticipated with much pleas
ure. Waldeford, who felt that, whatever might
be his wish, courtesy would not allow him to
decline accompanying the party, was early at
the beach, examining the Rigging of his little
sail boat and watching the wind. While thus
engaged, he was Joined by young Lee, who art
lessIy stated that Elston complained of having
passed a ~sleepless night, and would, he feared,
be in poor mood to partake of their anticipated
sport. 1t needed no second surmise to tell
Waldeiord what was the cause of his rivals I'M
e%asiness. Elston was jealous, and yet, the re-
l~ationship of George and Lilias being consider
ed, he had no right to demand an explanation
of the preceding nights occurrence. This he
felt, and although he did not truly love, his pride
and selflove fostered a deep-rooted hatred tow
ards Waldeford. All this the discerning mind
of Waldeford perceived, but he was determined
to mark, quietly, the course of events, and new
er to leopard the happiness of his cousin by
putting any further impeachment in what she con-
sidered the path of duty.
EIston knew not human nature, and when he
had received the sanction of the father to his
intended marriage, and had received from him
an assurance that Lilias would feel no reluctance
on the subject, he was satisfied, and satisfied to
Lot tbo vnottor zoe For tho oroeon4 eooe,,, Iotov
termined soon to return and claim the hand so
long pIighted to him. But now he had changed
his mind, and was determined to claim the i'm
mediate fuldIment of tile existing contract.
The day proved fair, and the wind suspicious,
and the little party were, soon after breakfast,
bounding over the gentle pillows in merry mood,
The sails, which were managed exclusively by
the expert Waldeford, were swelling before the
breeze, and soon a nile of undulating water
was between the shore and boat. Many were
the compliments paid to Waldcford on the skill
which he displayed in guiding their little bark
in shifting, lacking, and all the little man~uvers
of navigation, which appear so intricate to one
ignorant CT them, and which are in reality 81
easy to the initiated. But Elston had Learned
to be jealous, and praise to his rival, it may wei
be supposed, excited no pleasure in his bosom
The opposite shore was duly gained, although
by many a tack, for the wind had been almosr
directly from the west. A few hours had beer
spent in the vicinity of the opposite shore, wher
Waldeford perceived by the looks of the cloud
that there were high winds at hand, and advised
a return. The others laughed at his predictions
but, being %fatigued, it needed not much persua
sion to induce them to relinquish their variou
amusements and re-embark.
The wind was fair, strong, and directly il
their course, but they had not proceeded a mil
before the clouds grew darker in the west, ant
the breeze came sweeping, in majestic strength
across the waters. The waves grew larger
rapidly and perceptibly, and the white-caps
were making their appearance in irightful mum
bers out towards the middle of the lake.
Waldeford, perceiving by the appearance of hi
friends that alarm was rapidly mingling Wit
their pleasure, assumed a cheerful tone of voice
and spoke of the morrow's sport. His compan
ions, all less acquainted with the water tina
himself, deemed themselves safe so long as h
seemed at ease, and were fast assimilating them
selves to his mood, when a sudden flaw strucl
the mainsail in front, and, as it dangled idly
moment about the mast, the boat, yielding t
the impulse Of the waves, turned halfsideway
towards the trough that yawned beneath it
bow.
Waldeford turned pale. Quick as though
he shifted the sails; his presence of mind wa
gone but for a moment only; the rudder wa
brought properly to bear, and the boat was agai
bounding onward, with a rapidly of motto
that endangered their safety. All this passed
a moment. Not a word was spoken, but a
had watched Waldeford's countenance, and tn
pallor that for an instant gained ascendanc
there, was reflected by each.
'Waldeford, at length exclaimed the anxiou
father, with affected GOODNESS, but with a tren
ulous voice, fare we in d anger?'
WaIderlord did not, or would not hear, an
the other, taking his silence for a conirmatio
Of his fears, pressed his daughter to his hear
They were still far nearer to the shore they ha
left than the one they sought, and Elston no
speaking for the first time, exclaimed:
'Mr, Waldeford, we must return
This proposition was no sooner made, than
was supported both by Mr.. Lee and William
the former Of whom urged that the waves we
still higher in the centre of the lake. B
Waldeford was conscious that if there we
some danger in their present situation, an a
tempt to return would increase it four-fold.-
The wind was from shore, and the difficulty al
danger of even attempting to turn, amid t
high waves and ftlul flaws of wind, was
small consideration to deter him. A strol
gale at that moment came sweeping past thel
and the little mast was bent beneath Il
extended sails.
Waldeford sat at the stern of the boat wi
one hand upon the cords, by which he regulat
the sails, and the other upon the rudder.
looked calmly up, and fixing his eyes on Elstol
apitated countenance. as he was looking anyiol