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

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her feet, as a sutton for the smiles sho had
Withdrawn; but poor Grace was bad actress
she could not feign what was so foreign 10
her nature, and Ellen believed that her sac
rifice would not be in vain. Anterior must DO
won 10 love 30 charming, 80 devoted being.
Gerald was ut last determined 10 bring the
affair to a crisis between himself and Ellen.
He announced nj the supper table his intend.
ed departure on the morrow-his hther had
recalled him-and he turned 10 Ellen aud
said, Significantly
lie has sent message toyou, Miss Clifford,
which is of some importance. Hyou will
walk with me few moments this evening,
will acquit myself Of the commission"
Ellen grew pale and then flushed deeply
she WINS about to iaIter out some excuse, and
request sight ofthe portion otthe letter adj
dressed to herself when her father thinking,
that the time for his interference had arrived,
decisivcly suid:-
| Certainly, my daughter will walk with You,
Gerald, aud for once my pretty Grace may
stay within and attend to the evening duties
of the household tits quite time she learn
ed something Of such things
Grace, f,ncying that this was hint from
| her father that she would soon have house
of her own TO look after, smiled and blushed,
aud without II suspicion of the real nature of
the interview about to take place, saw Ather-
ton and her sister descend fight of terrac-
ed steps leading into the garden. Had she
seen the eXulting lace of Atherton or the per-
tlirbed one of Ellen, her tranquility would
have been of but short continuance.
Twilight deepened into night-the cups
and plates were all neatly arranged in the old
fashioned beaulet, the table put asde,and ev-
cry thing within doors as neat as usual, and
still Grace was alone with her father. lilo
was engaged with book and seemed TO for
get her presence. The moon arose bright and
beautiful and her light quivered on the tears
which fell slowly over her cheeks;a suspic-
ion Of the truth-nay, almost n certainly
had ut last dawncd on her mind, and thou
sand proofs ofwhut her willful blindness had
hitherto concealed were remembered. She
appeared 10 be in painful state of indecis-
ion regarding some determination forming in
her own mind for she arose several times and
again seated herself. At length with spc.
ces ofdesparation, she moved quickly toward
the garden, muttering:-
q cannot bear this suspense; believe few
hours of such ugonized doubt would destroy
my reason. | will know the truth at once,
and if,---oh God ofnercy, have compassion
upon mel
She rapidly threaded tho shaded alley
leading To n circular walk which surrounded
Il
lie espalier hedge, so thickly woven together
as to be impervious except where an arch-
way had been left opposite to one ofthc prin-
cpal walks sheltered her from The Observa-
ton of those she was seeking. Grace glded
with noiseless steps around the outside OF
this hedge until she heard tile sound ofvoiccs
and occasionally weeping. She approach
cd quite near aud crouched down OIL tho
grass beneath clump otrose-bushes IN full
bloom. The long wreaths of bright flowers tell
on her shining hair&brushed her pale cheek,
hut she needed them not, her whole soul SEEM
ed absorbed in the sense of hearing. Almost
the first words that fell on her ear were di-
rect question from Anterior which thrilled to
the very depths other heart.
DO you not love me, Ellen? Have | de-
ceived myself, and is your late GOODNESS not
mask To conceal your real feelings"
Her sister made no reply, but appeared TO
weep more conclusively. Gerald continued,
and Grace felt that in speaking 10 her his fine
ly toned voice had never expressed the tender
interest it now indicaIed
Let me speak the truth, my Ellen, and do
not feel wounded that do So From the
moment ofour last meeting, have felt that
you are offering yourself as victim TO the i'm
agiued welfare ola sister you tondly love. Is
il not so"
great emotion. Il do not hetray my poor
Grace when tel! you she loves you-that you
must have long known; hut how earnestly,
how devotedIy she loves you, you cannot
know, unless, like me you have watched he
side her sick bed when reason was deilIron-
ed, and heard the affecting revelations she
then made learned then what ] had more
than suspected before, and when looked up
on her fading beauty, when saw the silent
tear steal down her cheek us we turned
from our daily walk aud she repeated in
heart-rending tones, lie comes not could
still cherish the hope of becoming yours?--
Would not every kind, every noble heart de-
test her who could build the fabric other own
happiness on the ,un OF her sisters hopes?
Oh, Gerald! tempt me not lie do this great
wrong
my dear Ellen, you do not seem to con-
slider that love you and not Grace. What
benefit can 1t be to her to sacrifice my hopes |
and your own happiness 10 an imaginary du-
tv YOU owe her"
lit is my firm beliefthat Grace would eth
err die or lose her reason if such an event oc-
CURED as nay union with you. The peculiar
constitution of her mind would be very GER
tain to produce one of these results, and j
should feel myself branded before earth and
Heaven,as her destroyer
with such feelings, | will no longer urge
you to consent to become mine,' said Athcr-
ton,very sadly. Tomorrow deparF and |
- ..
you will return to find in the beauty and
devotion of tuy sister more than you have
loved in me- said Ellen. Before long, shall
have reconciled myselfto the lot have volun-
tnrily embraced, and us your sister Twill meet I
you with ms calm brow as though we had |
never loved. know that ] do not promise
too mach for myself can conquer my e. |
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