Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-05-05


Doctor Robertson, ITO recommend TO you,
what conceive honour and common sense
alike indicate, as the proper course TO be
pursued in this painful affair have moi
had until this moment, il is true, an oppor-
tuniiy OF so much as even speaking TO you
upon this subject, aud do not know, even If
| had that was al liberty TO introduce II.
! can have now, however, no scruple in
fully telling you my mind and must say.
that the extreme imprudence into which
you have led an inexperienced and fondly
attached girl, threatens seriously TO CON-
promise her, not only with her own relatives,
but in the eyes OF the world. You have
placed her in a situation calculated, unless
il be at once explained, to prejudice her
reputation fairly; and am bound TO say,
as an old friend Of the family, that unless
you come forward frankly. and put Sir Ar
thur in possession Of the real state Of facts,
shall feel il my duty to do so myself"
"'rbere is no need OF any disclosure-st
least Immediately" said the young man,
hurriedly Everything is arranged. No
one but her old attendant has access 10 her
chamber at home, and Sir Arthur and
young Chadleigh don't see her once in FIVE
weeks. They don't suspect anything. and
need not. Is il not clear that an explosion
IA scene-just now. would be about the
wors, thing in the world for herf"
"Very true," said Doctor Robertson, dr-
ly "all very true but il there be an ex-
plosion, there is no need il should reach
her ears. No, no, sir. Believe me, the
only honorable course now open before you.
| z. al. n
ought, without the delay Of an hour. 10 ac-
quaint Sir Arthur with the fact Of your
marriage"
"And who the devil" began Jen-
nings. with a look which partook al once Of
rage and terror. The expression remained
fixed for time, but the sentence died away
unfinished and multering some incohe-
rent words, he walked, with sort of hall
agitated. half defiant air, twice across the
floor, and stopping al the empty fireplace
planted his foot upon the bar. and stood
looking vacanily into the inhospitable CRATE
with an aspect as black and cherries a.
its own.
"Well, SIR" said Doctor Robertson
somewhat sternly, you will. Of course, &C
as you think proper but again advise yor
to be the FIRST 10 open this affair to Sir Ar
thur; for, as have already told you, h,
shall otherwise learn it all from myself
have very strong opinion about IT,"
"Of course, OF course" said Jennings
petulantly; and continued. in haugh'le
tone, perhaps intended TO show Docto
Robertson that his further pursuing tn
subject would be considered impertinent-
"By the way, sir, | ought to have ,hanke,
you before this for your able professions
assistance"
"Sir, intended no obligation whateye
, to you. My interest is naturally strongl
engaged on the poor young lady's account,
; replied Doctor Robertson, grufiy. as b
butloned up his great coat 10 the chin, an
then drew on his warm gloves; "fo' her
/ would, il need were, do great deal more.
7 He turned s,iifly and grimly from th
! young man, shook me again by the baud
. and took his departure.
At the same moment, in obedience 10 a
r intimation from the attendant, Captain Jer
: nings proceeded up the stairs, 10 the chan
Der where the young lady lay. As he 10
lowed the mairon up stairs, the wailing {
T newborn baby reached his ears. Tn
Il feeble and plainiiye appeal to his paiern
n sympathies, was probably far from welcom
q for he looked as il, but for very shame. !
: would have cursed the helpless little ere
d ture; and now he stood at the chamb'
l. door. Perhaps some touch OF bitter feelir
l. moved him, for his look grew sadder az
$ soitened. He entered. Faint, and wi
5, eyes halfclosed, the fair young mother
D. her sore trial over-lay in the hushed al
" darkened room. Weak and exhausted
d she was, a faint cry of Joy broke from h
pale lips; aud such look Of costa
sr welcomed his appearance, as must ha
is moved heart Of stone.
IT "Ohl Richard, Richard-oh Ric
ID ard" was all the poor creature could 5
at as he stopped over the bed and kissed he
d with at least a show Of fondness while h
IS, feeble arm was clasped round his neck wi
Id an agony Of delight, as IL she had ney
as hoped TO have seen him again.
e. "Oh Richard, darling !
ne is you--darling. ii is your p
he She chung to him, sobbing and smilir
ii. and softly repeating words Of endearme
Of till, gently disengagng himself, he kiss
lfe her again, clasped her hand in his,
ad pressed il, aud wringing il fondly, as he
,er by The bedside. Thus silently testify
ed his affection, he leaned back, so that
m. curtain interposed between his face
en- hers. Two OF three bitter tears start
I'D down his cheeks, and such look Of un
ur- terable anguish darkened his counienan
as might have Swallowed the eternal desp
IL. of the damned. Thus some minutes pa
ed, while he pressed the feeble hand
id held with feyerish grasp.
Iv. This interview was prolonged to m
~ than an hour; and at length Jennln
he warned by approach of The dawn, took
departure, in sore disorder and dlsmal
he his heart agiia,ed with iumulI Of terri
nk passions and sensations, his brain burn
i'm with thousand wild and lrreconclla
plans and proiecis--a thoroughly miseri
The man.
or Meanwhile, returned TO my lodgir
sss- and had thrown myself into bed, no
the awaken 10 the remembrance OF my
not nights strange adventure, until late IN
APP day. II is, OF course, unnecessary to
red that felt The inteusest curiosity respect
the progress and final denouement Of
II he 81.