Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-09-23

one worthy, is the hottest and sweetest prepara-
ton for His presence who is love.
William Gordon saw her 6rmness, and that
she was weak and trembling from the excitement
Of the scene and
an close heart shutting up his pain
resolved to yield instant and uncompIalning
obedience to her wishes He rose up calmly,
and mprinting on her forehead a kiss of min
ged love and anguish, turned, and was gone =
Annie buried hel face in her thin, white hands,
aud remained in an agony Of prayer and grief
/ Then came vain regrets for the course she had
taken, and painful doubts Of the necessity of
the sacrifice she had made Presently she heard
WE'LL known step-William had returned -
His camness had forsaken him, and he murmur-
ed imporingly-
'lf must leave you to die alone, Annie, let
me fold you once more to my heart before 60,
it will give me strength
lie kneIt one knee beside her, reached forth
his arms, and sobbing like child, she leaned
upon his bosom.
No word was spoken by that pair, loving and
faithful unto death, while the flood of sorrow
swept over their hushed spirits, as the fountains
Of the souls great deeps were broken up Yes,
silent but not fearless, knet William Gordon,
with bis lips pressed against the dear head which
lay upon his heart At last he raised his eyes
,heavenward, and those lips moved in whispered
prayer-he unwound his arms and would have
risen, but Annie moved not-She was cHnging
to his breast smile of Joy ifradiated his
mournlul face, and his arms once again EMBODIED
her She looked up and murmured with some
thing of her old playful tenderness, more touch
ing than the widest burst Of grief.
Are you not stronger, dear William?
'Ah, | fear not, my love-
THAT is strange, for when felt the strength
ebbng from my own heart, | thought it had
flowed into yours
'Thank God for the weakness which is low
=, ler than strength Il must never leave you, An
ME
'NcUcr.'
The morning of the wedding day had come,
and was arraying Annie in her bridal dress, a
beautiful muslin, guiltess of ribbons or lace.
wished to Irvine in her hair, small string Of
pearls, which was once her mother's,-but she
gently put it from her.
i What no ornaments q enquired.
None, she replied but yes,-if you will 60
into my garden, you will find lovely whte-rose
tree, which William planted when first knew
him, bring me one of its buds and will wear
it in my hair
! | have seen brides radiant in healthful bloom
gittering in jewels, dazzling in satins rich wells
and costly wreaths, but never have beheld one
so exqusitely, SO wonderfully beautiful as that
: dying girl, with her dress Of simple white, hel
one floral ornament, the dewy lustre of her soft
blue eye, and the deepened hectic of her cheek:
When the ceremony was to be performed, she
wished to rise, and as she was too weak to stand
alone stood by her side and supported her
She smiled sadly, as she whispered--'You re-
remember, Grace, promised you should be my
} bridesmaid
As the beautiful marriage ceremony Chat OF
the English Church. proceeded, the face of the
bride became expressive alternately of earthly
and of heavenly love, of soltness, and of sublim
: ity, of the woman and of the angel, till it grew
absolutely adorable.
At the last she received the fearful congrau
IalIons of her friends with graceful manner ,anC
with the most cheerful smiles playing about he
lips.
p 1t was mornng-a morning born Of bloom
and beanty-so soft, 50 glowing, it seemed
Like rainbow clasping the sweet earth,
Aud melting in a covenant Of love-"
Annie Gordon was lying on her couch by an
open window, with her fair head supported or
I the breast of her husband
And she, fathers joy, brothers pride, thu
= wife Of two short weeks, was leaving US now
+ Every sunbeam which looked into her ewes, say
, their violent hue grow paler, and every soft al
a which kissed her faded lips, bore back faiute
e breath on its light pinion. Her dotng fathe
k knelt in deep trance Of grief at her side
stood holding one Of her hands in mine, while a
her feet sat her younger brother, Arthur Moore
r weeping with all the uncontrolled passonatenes
! Of boyhood.
! Annie had lain for some moments apparent
insensible, but she looked up yet once more t.
: William, with her own sweet smile, and muir
:. INJURED,
e Pray, once again, my beloved--t will plum
my spirits wing for its upward flight; but plac
your hand upon my heart, that you may know
when am gone
And William Gordon lifted his voice in prayer
II all saint-like submission and chlid-like love- II
: solemnly and tenderly committed the passin
1t soul Of the wife, the daughter, the sister an
: the iend, to her Savior and her God, and meek
u y implored for the stricken mourners, the mil
istratlons of the blessed Spirit. Suddenly h
u paused-her heart had ceased 1t beatingS II
- brow became convulsed and his voice was 10,
u and remuous, as he added, ''She has left us ,ol
~ our Father, she is with Thee now
- Gone our Annie dead" exclaimed poor Ii
1t tie Arthur Moore, and sprngng forward an
casting one look on that still face, he stretche
his arms upward and cred-'Oh sister, siste