Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-01-14

IL was about month after Walton's return al
the close OF fine summers day. that he induced
Amy TO lay aside her brush, and take a walk with
MN. IL was a lovely evening" aud the country
through which they wandered had much beauty
even for a strangers eye TO them for whom some
pleasant association hung upon every tree, it SEEM
ed paradise. la the course Of their walk they
passed the old manor.housc, and Amy paused to
look lovingly on its quiet grounds. Walter watch
ed her anxlously, but she turned TO him again with
her own kind smile, and said, Indeed, Walter, il
is only for his sake--for my poor fathers sake ~
Walters long pentup feelings found voice at last,
and he told Amy how he had loved her. though
hopelessly, when she was rich and happy, and how
he loved her more thousand-fold in poverty and
trouble Who shall tell how sweetly those fond
words fell on Amy's carlow the happy tears roll.
ed silently down her cheeks as the secret of her
own deeP,yet unconscious love, was revealed to her
hearth
1t was late when they returned from their ram
Bile, and Mrs Morton was sitting with Amy's moth.
err. The rest Of the evening passed quietly yet
happily, and Walter whispered to Amy, while the
widows we're exchanging their frewells for the
night, We will tell them all tomorrow, Amy-my
Amy will come early to help you with your
confessions"
But the morrow came, and Walter did not ap-
pear. Amy's cheek blushed at every sound, and
her heart sank when hour after hour rolled by and
still he not. At last an old aud faithful SER
want Of Mrs Morton was seen approaching the cot
tage, and Amy ran forth to meet her but as the
old woman came near, Amy stopped, afraid TO ask
what had happened.
"Oh, Miss Amy" cried the weeping woman, 81
have cruel sorrow TO tell you Of! My poor mis-
tress her heart will break She loved him so
dearly, and God knows, so did Ir
Amy returned in silence TO the cottage and the
servant followed her. Mrs Sinclair was up stairs.
and Amy did not call her but, after quietly clos
ing the door, babe the woman sit down near her,
and tell her what had happened.
" Poor Master Walter !" cried the woman who
had been his nurse; :" he was so noble, so good =
Poor Master Walter he is gone p aud a passion
ate burst OF tears interrupted her speech Amys
face was pale as marble, but she pressed her hand
upon her heart, and said
What do you mean nurse Is Walter Nor
ton dead?"
" Deadl r. repeated the nurse" dead Yes.
Miss Amy, these eyes have seen him lying pale and
dead Oh, 10 see his poor mothers agony lie
did not come down to breakfast, and she went her.
self TO see what allied him. To my dying day
shall not forget her shrek. She found him dead
and cold-her own, her only child"
The nurse too much absorbed in her own
grief TO observe the effect OF her words on her list
ener, who sat like one stunned, with dry eyes aud
liyd lips. Her mind refused TO comprehend the
exceeding bitterness uf the sorrow that had fallen
upon her. Once or twice she passed her hand
across her brow, and glanced uneasily round the
room, but she did not speak. At last, the nurse
said
have brought a message to you, Miss Amy,
from my poor mistress She babe go on my
knees to beg you to fulfil her request She has no
picture Of poor Master Walter, will you make one
now T.
"Ii-now ?" said Amy, as if trying to under:
stand what was asked of her "Is it not too late
Did you not say he was dead!" aud she shuddered
as she spoke.
mo, dear Miss Amy, il is not too late. There
he lies, calm and beautiful as angel. Dear Miss
Amy, you hope for pity yourself, pity his mothers
sorrow, and do what she asks !"
Paint Walters picture now-now, when he is
dead that is what you nsk, is it not, nnrsei l
wiH do it," Then, with strange, unnatural COM
posure, she collected her drawing materials, and
prepared to leave the house, bidding the nurse tell
Mrs Sinclair Of all that had happened
In darkened chamber Of the house to which
she had so lately welcomed him in health and Joy
Mrs Morton watched by the body of her dead sou.
There he lay, pale and still yet with smile nger-
ing about his white lips, smile Of more than earth
ly beauty. BY what strange and sudden malady the
soul had been freed from its mortal tenement none
might tell, but that il passed away calmly and with.
out suffering, the happy expression of the features
seemed to salty.
my son my son p whispered The poor widow
as she kissed The closed eyes call my other chill.
dren did the Lor take from me, and then He call
ed my husband to be with Him, but deemed thon
shouldst lay me in my grave. Thou, too, art gone
His will be done |"
Again she seated herself beside the bed, weeping
"yet not as one without hope"
Her chastened heart grew calmer, and many
blessed thouuhf of that country which thnse