The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-01-09

/ Joy never Kills, Ellen. TIC " Coilo NJ llS''
Let me go 10 him. But moi would not he so
unmadenly MS to seek him. Where is he,
sweet sister"
'He will be here in few days said Ellen,
in tone so faint that it sounded ms an echo
from her stricken soul. Grace looked at her
and strange expression came into her face.
She slightly shuddered, and throwing herself
back soon pretended TO sleep. Ellen glded
with noiseless steps from the room and sought
the shadow ofthe forest in which to indulge
her anguish. So soon ms the echo of her
tread died away the sick girl arose and, NUT
tering some unintelligible words, went TO her
sisters bureau and turned the key in draw
er, in which she knew Ellen kept her most
treasured possessions.
If Ellen loves Gerald she said in n more
distinct tone, 'it is not without hope. She is
too reasonable for that; he must have written
lift is so and the letter must he here. | will
see for myself and if
AS she thus spoke she turned over the pa
pers in the drawer, and her poor heart flutter-
cd as lift would burst out other bosom. A
bright flush came to her cheek and her eye
flashed ioyillly-ihere was no letter from
Atherton among them. Ellen had been too
much in fear of such crisis to permit the
few she had received from Gerald to remain
within reach other sister, Such develop
| IneuI III some stuEeS OF Grace HlcHtui NISOT-
der might have cost her her life.
Dear Ellen she whispered, iii was only her
sympathy for me- her fear that might not be
able to bear the joyful news of his arrival that
caused her cheek to grow pale and her voice
to falter. must regard all her kindness 10y
| getting well as soon as possible.'
Atherton at length arrived. Ellen nerved
herselftor the meeting. She stood calm and
pale; oh, how pale! to meet the scrutiny ofhis
first questioning glance. Her path was clear
before her, and as she looked oil the beaming
face ofGrace she vowed to trend it without
faltering. Grace sprang forward with the
glad step of trusting affection to meet him;
! Atlerton, aware that the other sister had
suffered from recent ill-health, never doubted
! that she was his own Ellen, and the subdued
looking creature who leaned against the door
way for support, her invalid sister He clasp
ed her in his arms murmuring-
Once more we meet, my beloved, and !
am happy
Poor Grace! she raised her head, and cast
toward Heaven radiant glance of thankful
ness and unutterable happiness. Atherton
caught her expression, and in it he read the
soul of the dreamer, and that d roopmg look
! ing creature who seemed as her spirit would
take It's flight from its earthly tenement, was
his dear, considerate, affocti0nafe Ellen! Ever
ready to promote the happiness of others nj
the expense other own he knew her TO he,
and the true state ofthe case flashed on his
mind at once. He gently extTicated himself
from Grace, approaching Ellen raised her
hand revereutly to his lips: their eyes met,
and she felt that her painful position was I'M
derstood. Gerald at that moment registered
n vow in the Utmost sanctuary of his spirit,
that if the pleadings ofaffection could win the
victory over generous resolves she should yet
be his.
In the light of his presence Ellen seemed
again to revive. Her old smile returned, and
the busy bee fitted through the household,
its presiding genius, in whose footsteps fol-
lowed good order and cheerfulness. In these
cares Grace never had taken part, and Ellen
now found employment so great a panacea
for the sorrows OF the heart that she regret
ted the inactivity that had permitted the NOR
bid sensibility other sister to gain so great an
ascendancy. Had the cares of'life been shar-
ed more equally between them this yielding
ness of character might have been strength
ened TO bear the inevitable penalty fgrief
and disappointment which is the lot ofall hui
man creatures.
A week passed away ana Gerald found il
impossible to gain u moment alone with Ell
len; she resolutely avoided such an interview
and seemed purposely to leave him and
GGuCG us HlilCIl lORGlutf us DuSSitIts lltsy llC
possessed less confidence in her or less
knowledge OF her character, he might have
been piqued: but amid his veXatior he could
not prevent himselffrom admiring her noble
resignation to sacrifice he felt TO be full of
suffering to her. He wondered at the blind
ness of Grace and felt deeper GOODNESS to-
wards her, for he mentally said
affection is quick sighted and ifsfe loved
Ellen as she should he loved, Grace would
have long since discovered the truth
The poor girl in the meantime lived in Il
dream of exalted bliss; every glance of her
beautiful eyes, every tone other musical voice
revealed TO Atherton the depth of her affec-
ton for him. TO an imaginative man, this
devotion on the part ola beautiful and highly
endowed girl would have proved irresstabe:
but Gerald was not one ofthose the Germans
so POLITICALLY style ''the Sunday-children of
Cod He was no genius, but plain practi-
cal man ofthe world, destined by the profess
sion he had chosen to alleviate the sutfcrings
ofhs race He had not much romance, but
he possessed great tenderness of feeling and |
unwaveriDg principles ofrecttude. To such
man the feminine spirit of Ellen, her self |
sustained character, were far more attractive
than the more brilliant qualities of Grace.
DIR. Clifford looked upon what was passing
before him with silent uneasiness; he belieV-
ed with Ellen that Grace would sink beneath
the shock of discovering that Atherton was
indifferent to her, but at the same time he
felt the manifest injustice ofthwarting a well
founded attachment on both sides,in the fain,
hope that Gerald would eventually forsake
the more rm-hearted sister for her whose
selfish sorrow required the sacrifice.
AS he was perplexed to know what course
to pursue he wisely left events to take their
own course, with the comforting assurance,
there is divinity to shape our ends ...
rH Ar loputb N sLa,lox., fall oyar tho ht !