Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-31


you shall help me gather some roses to place
upon the loilet-nowers shall speak more
pleasantly than the lips Of an old woman,
my welcome TO you both"
Lila found the room assigned to her as
delightful as the most snowy muslin cur.
ialns, antique toilet stands, and windows
looking out upon mountain and meadow,
could make IT, Bot after sirolling in the
garden aud orchard, aud watching the
chickens hultering around the coops, aud
the geese Cabling in the little brook, poor
Lila sat down, sad and pale, her thoughts
sraying back TO her unhappy lover. aud
dwelling upon their cruel separation, until
she could with difficulty restrain her tears,
even IN the presence OF Mrs Mlddlehed,
who, soon noticing her detection, exeried
all her powers TO cheer her Al length the
old lady spoke Of her expected guest, from
whose arrival that evening she was TO de-
rive so much happiness. and upon whose
virtues she so largely expaiialed that even
the smiable Lila thought her too garrulous.
The afternoon wore on, aud behind the
beautiful groves Of Round Hill. the sun nj
length disappeared. The little tea table
was now drawn forth, awaiting the arrival
OF the expected guest, with delicious prom
Use OF fragrant strawberries and cream.
"Hark y said the old lady. suddenly
stopping in narrative she was giving Lila
oil some event in her early life. "Harkl
think ] hear wheels; listen Lila, am ]
right r.
The sound Of a carriage rapidly approach.
ing the house aud the loud crack Of the
coachman's whip, soon despelled all doubt.
A quick step was now heard coming up tie
avenue, gentleman sprang up The steps
and eagerly advanced 10 meet the embrace
Of Mrs Midde6eld. But why shonld Lila
thus start from her chart Why is her face
so suddenly suffused with bushes! Why
should she clasp her hands aud hide thai
pretty face within Yet what is even more
strange, instead Of meeting the extended
hand Of his kind old friend. why the young
gentleman took no, the least notice Of her.
bn, rushing impe,uously past her, clasped
Lila in his arms
Well done Mr. Charles Sedly
"Hoiiy toity," exclaimed the old lady,
"what does this mean, should like to
knowl"
my dearest Lila. what unlocked for
happiness"
"Oh Charles, Charles. why are you here :"
said poor Lila trembling as IL the eyes Of
her father were already fixed upon her.
Explanations were soon given, account
ing for this extraordinary scene by proving
Mr. Lincoln's aunt and the kind old friend
Of Charles Sedly to be one and the same
person.
And now what 4 situation for two young
lovers who had been not only forbidden ey.
I er seeing each other again, but even whose
thoughts the same stern power would have
trammeled IL possible. Imagine if you eau
anything more perplexing.
What was 10 be done Lila, dutiful
child, talked of returning Immediately to
her father, and said something about the
earlies, stage aud OF shutting herself up 10
her little chamber the meanwhile, but some
how or other Charles managed TO convince
her that travelling alone was highly inn
proper for young lady; in fact, he, too,
had some very conflicting notions about
right and wrong. but Mrs Middleheld, good
old soul. came forward at once to the res
cue, and argued so sensibly, aud so much
to the point. that not To have been conyinc-
ed would have certainly evinced great want
Of Difference in the young people.
"A pretty business. TO be sure, for you TO
run off like frightened rabbits and leave me
all alone again. No. no; just stay where
you are. | should like to know il its your
fault that you happened 10 meet ! aud il
my nephew Lincoln isn't more sensible
man than what you have told me would
prove him to be, then il is time he knew
better; that is all can say-il is high time
he found out that an honest heart is more
TO be priced than all his riches. No, no,
children; just stay where you are. don't
know much about you, to be sure, Lila
Lincoln; but unless your face bellies you,
you are worthy to be the wife of Charles
Sedly, aud that saying good deal, can
tell you for The highest lady in the land
nigh, be proud Of such husband"
There is not the least doubt but Lila
perfectly agreed with her
BY the time they had finished supper,
both Sedly and Lila made up their mind:
; that the old lady knew better than they did
The consequences was, at the very hour
when Mr. Lincoln was congraiulating him.
self that Lila was now safe from her lover
: the lille gypsy, arm-in-arm with Charles
was sirolling through the moon-lii grove adj
! joining the garden Of Mrs Middefeld.
OF course no more was said Of going
away, by either party, who now resigned
themselves without murmur TO the una
/ voidabe DEGREES Of fate. How rapinrously
now the days flew by, each hour strength
ening the link which united their young
J hearts And as for Mrs Middle6eld, as she
: became more acquainted with the lovelinesi
I Of Lilla's character, she appeared TO TAX,
pleasure in ihwartng the views OF her neph
+, ew. He is pretty fellow 10 be sure, sh,
r would say 10 herself, to try to ruin tina
dear girls happiness. lie feel above
J connection Of Charles Sedly. mind III,
! time his grandfather shod horses ft all III,
: country for miles around, aud good, hon
d est, respectable man he was and here i
d this braggart nephew Of mine, because tn
n Lord bus given him more houses and mon
ey than fell to his ancestors share, he mus
II show his ,hanKiulness by killing his owl
d daughter.
/, CHAPTER v.
@ MIR Lincoln sat nj the breakfast table sin