Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-08-05

erlng the pale moon, that IN her feeble age
followed quickly after the fading light A
heavy stiffness succeeded-a darkness that
might be felt, depressing both mind and
body with dull weight.
" Let us go in" said Stella, as she leaned
YEARLY upon her husbands arm; "see, the
storm is coming nearer; and look there is
a flash"
" 1t is only summer lightning" Philip an
swered. But come, dear, we will go with
in doors, and watch it from the window, it
is so beautiful"
They went in, and stood watching the
storm. Stella felt no fear, for her husband
was beside her. She rested her head on his
shoulder, and felt his arm encircle her, and
thus they looked on the gathering clouds,
and the brilliant flashes of sheet lightning
that momently illumned the whole heavens,
and made the dark woods as hight and dis
tinct as in broad day light Even when the
heavy drops began to fall, and low rum
bling of thunder was heard in the distance,
they did not turn away for the minds of
both were of too high an order to experience
that weak sorrow which makes the feeble
shrink from that grandest and most beauti-
full sght-a thunder storm at night.
You are not afraid, my dearest 2" asked
the husband.
No, Philip" answered Stella. "I like
to watch storm coming on. l feel kind
of awful delight, as though l were drawn
nearer to heaven, and heard the voice of
God in the thunder. have no fear, except
that | would ever have those | love beside
me as now"
Philip pressed his wife nearer to him with
a smile. Now you are quite safe, love-"
Yes, with you. | remember the first
storm | ever watched, after my sight was re-
stored. 1t was here at this very window. l
was foolish, my Philip, know, but could
not turn my thoughts from you. l wonder
ed where you were-if you were safe !;
and though dreading no danger for myself,
yet felt shuddering fear lest harm should
come to you. Now | have you with me,
my own husband"
Forever-forever," cried Philip, stoop-
ing over her with intense love, my Stella,
MY"
As he spoke, dazzling, binding flash
enveloped them in one sheet of lurid flame
then came burst of thunder, so long and
loud, that it seemed as if the heavens were
falling. But the husband and wife heard it
not. They both lay insensible, Philips arm
still clasping his beloved. Philip Armytage
woke to consciousness, and found Stella still
lying motionless. Her eyes were fixed and
open; her features white and livid, while
her arm still twined round his neck, as cold
and heavy as stone. He uttered one cry of
agonized despair, and then desperate calm
ness came over him. He felt her heart a
faint pulse was still beating there. He if
ted her hand it did not fall down again,
but remained in trance, if possible more
fearful than death.
All that night, the next day, and through
out another horrible night, did Philip hang
over his lnsensible wife 1870 skill could
wake her from this terrible repose; she lay
lmmovable, breathing family, but tinge Of
life was on her marble-like face, and the glare
of her open eyes was fearful to behold
Philip tried to close them, but the eye-lid.
shrank back again from the diated pupils
He covered them with veil, for he coulo
not bear to see the horrible expression the,
gave to the beautiful face he loved so much
When the second day was at its meridian
Philip thought he saw her breast heave,
faint hue dyed her white lips-they moved
and with wild cry he casped his wife il
his arms, and strove to reanimate those pale
lips with kisses.
Philip" she murmured family, tho
| was dead"
t." You are living-here IN my arms, m,
beloved-my hearts treasure" cried thu
husband, almost weeping with joy.
"Ah, | remember the storm; it is all owe
now. 1t is night; but why have you pu
+ out the lamp? cannot see you, love-"
! Philip shuddered at her words, for thu
room was flooded with the golden light O
! noon. He looked at Stella's eyes their ex
preston revealed the awful truth the light
/ ming had struck her, and she was once NOR
hopelessly blind.