Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-04-22
NUMBER as.

no longer al her command-Ior the near approach
Of her doom bad completely proslrated her She
sacrifice. a
She had sat in her room al tina, afternoon, in a
sort Of siupor her fingers eonvulsiveIy claspng and
uncIasping each other, and her eyes bent on the
floor istlessly. The going and coming in of her
attendants attracted no atlealion But She had not
shed tear. The fountains Of her eyes seemed
seorehed up. When the time came TO attire her
Tor the ceremony. they had TO rouse her; aud the
vacant gaze OF inquiry she turned on her servant,
made the slave, for moment, think her insane
But when her aunt came in TO srperinend her TOLL
ct she seemed to revive, and with an effort rose
from her chair, and welcomed her with smile-
but one like a sunbeam on a wniFy day, cold and
shuddering 10 look upon. From this moment,
however, she was more like herself, though At
times the muscles OF her mouth would twiteh con-
vulsiyely. At other times she would turn away
her head. and an expression Of heart breaking wo
would then shoot across her counleuance; bot, on
meeting her aunt's eye once more, she would essay
again 10 smile
A few moments before the ceremony was to be-
gin, they left her alone for moment She was
standing before the mirror, and her eyes fell on the
reflection of her form.
'rhe sacrifice will soon be complete she said
bitterly. GOD forgive me-yet surely am doing
right oh that could weep. but there is load
here and she pressed both hands on her breast.
that keeps back the tears Il is like burning fire.
Who would have belieyed that this ghastly face
was the once rsdisn, one Of Kate Mowbrayg
Her father s,oodSnearithe door as she entered
He was struck with the dry, stony expression OF
her face and started forward 10 her side He spoke
in whisper. with startling earnesiuess af-A
adjure you. my daughter he said, tell me-
are you willing to 20 with this malterf Say
but a word, and it shall be broken off,
Kate lifted her eyes 10 his with a sudden move.
ment. and the glance they gave was full Of unut.
tersble love. II was such. IL we may say so with.
out presumption, as a maryred spirit might have
termed 10 heaven from the stake Ii thrilled every
nerve in that fathers frame. That same sad, sweet
SMILE too. on her face. as she placed her hand
in his. and said,
Let it go on, dear father. am only faint and
nervous. shall soon be better. Ay better ia
the grave
His doubts were only half resolved, but he could
say more, and together they advanced 10 the
Temporary altar, where The bridegroom and prizes,
stood awaiting them.
Kate felt choking in the throat, as her eyes
first fell on Major Lindsay, and il seemed TO her,
for an instant, as il her knees were falling her,
But she remembered that her fathers eyes we're
bent anxiously on her, and from that moment there
was no longer any falterlng on her part
The buzz which attended her entrance had now
subsidized. and deep hush now fell on the ROOM
Every ear was strained 10 catch the first sound Of
the minister's voice. watch might have been
heard TO tick.
Dearly beloved began the minister, in the
time halIowed form OF the Episcopal church, I'VE
are gathered together here in the sight Of Cod
He had proceeded thus far. when such sudden
and startling burst of tumult from the distant
street, that he raised his eyes, with look Of alarm
from his book. Ii was like the confused ringing
of bells. halEdrowBed in the shouts OF people. All
at once the own-bell itself. close at hand took up
the uproar. and It's iron tongue was heard changing
huuiedly aud 6ercely on the night. :,
The male part Of the company sprang to their
feet. So e
'HarkP said Col Campbell .ean it be The town
on ireP M ~ Y
\ There il goes. louder and louder exclaimed
second ii must be an insurection.' al
The women now lent their shreks 10 the tumult.
The officers, with their hands on their swords
rushed towards the door The divine had dropped
his prayer-book and his looks we're full of inquiry
and establishment Kate. with quick look OF
alarm, shrank back TO her fathers side All was
wonder terror and dismay. ~
The uproar without increased Louder and
6erccr the alurm-bell rang steps were heard hur-
ring 70 and fro; and at length distant shouts
mingled with repor, of firearms, came 10 the ear
Then drums were heard beating hastily TO arms
and at this signal every military man present rush
| ed out into the ar.
BE not alarmed said the bridegroom, turning
10 Kate; 1t is only false alarm, or n drunken
mutiny. ] will soon be back aud with these
words he sprang after his companions 81
| The females were now left alone, excepting the
minister and Mr. MowbFay. But the tumult was
obviously no tfHing one. The shouts seemed to
approach, and grew louder; rushing sound as Of
an advancing crowd, was heard the rattle Of FIRE
arms was almost continual, and seemed closer at
hand each moment and still louder, and more
hurriedly, the call to arms was beaten. while 6erc-
and iereer the alarm bell. in It's neighboring
| pola, clamored over the din. broad light now
| CLEANED across the windows from the darkness
outside, and cries Of terror were heard increasing
| every moment.
Mr. Mowbray handed Kate TO her aunt, and hur.
| ryng 10 the easement flung il up AT this the con-
l fused sounds without assumed more dislinctness,
and grew louder He looked out
III is Marion and his men, he cried exuItingly.
| 'Hark here they come -
With wild cry a, these words OF promised de.
| lverance, Kate sprung 10 her fathers side and
looked out Al the lever end OF the village one
or two houses were in flames and their bright glare
lii Up the Otherwise black prospect. Close at
hand, and retreaing toward her in disorder, was
company Of the royal soldiers, among whom she
saw the largest portion Of the officers lately assem-
bIed in that apartment She could Distinguish
Colonel Campbell and Major Lindsay among 9th
ers. sword in hand, endeAvoFing 10 rally the men.
But further down the street was spectacle that
filed her bosom with the widest and most tumul-
luous Joy Here the way was blocked up, from
side to side by press Of assalants, who wore the
uniform Of Marion's brigade, and who were adj
T vancing with loud shouts, charging continually on