Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-07-21

al, for he was rushing into the very heart Of
the infected district. Bot what feared he
Reader. that daring cavalier was Raymond
Talbot, now no longer poor commoner,
but the wealthy Earl Of Esseldale.
CHAPTER V.-THE VICTIMS.
Since we las, saw Raymond Talbot, grea;
change had come over his fortunes. lie
left England within few days after his last
interview with Eveline, anil after serving
with some distinction on the Continent, had
been received into high favor at the court
Of France. His name spread far aud wide
as that Of one Of the most gallant cavaliers
Of the day. and If he wished il, the hand
Of more than one fair heiress might have
been his own. But though he mingled with
such grace in all the amnsements Of the
court, il was noticed that something OF mel.
thoughts. To all the solicitations Of his
more prudent friends that he would repair
his fortune by taking the hand Of some one
Of the numerous heresses, whom he had but
to seek TO win, he answered ony by faint
smile. accompanied with the declaration
that he should never marry.
But fortune had lot in Store for him, Of
which he little dreamed. His cousin, who
By purchasing the sequestered estates Of the
family during the days OF the commonwealth,
and subsequently becoming connected by
marriage with the all powerful Duke Of Al
bemarle, had been enabled TO hold The lands
Of the earldom, against the better claim Of
Talbot, was killed suddenly, without leaving
any children, within short six months al.
Ter the death OF his wife. As Talbot was
his next male heir, the property once more
returned into bis hands. This intelligence
reached him by the same conveyance with
which came a letter from friend, who, with
out knowing that Talbot was ever acquaint-
ed with Eveline Norman. mentioned her as
the belle OF the court; but added that she
had lately been i'll. some supposed by con-
sumption, aud that contemplated marriage
between her and baronet, a neighbor OF
her lather, had been broken Off He added
in postscript that rumor limited the disor-
der OF the beauty was a settled melancholy
occasioned. perhaps, by some unfortunate
attachment.
On receiving this intelligence, the heart
OF Talbot thrilled with strange. wild emo
tons. which he had imagined would never
again agitate his bosom. Could II be that
Eveline loved hint ifo pressed his hand
on his brow, for his brain reeled with strange
feelings. A thousand things which he had
once disregarded, or which, at the time they
happened, he knew not how 10 interpret
now flashed on him, aud as he thought. the
conviction became stronger and stronger ia
4. L.. LII al h.. al
Eyeline He determined, at least, to return
to England and satisfy himself Of the truth
Of his suspicion. He was now in possession
Of his righiiul domain, and might sue for hel
as an equal, If not as a superior. The dan
gers Of the plague which had been raging
some time in London, sank into nothing be
fire his impatient spirit. lie would brav,
all and learn his fate Having now account
ed for his presence in the midst of the pes
thence, let us follow him TO the mansion o
Lord Norman.
Night had gathered on the narrow street.
and ihoroughfares of the metropolis befor'
Talbot, for we shall still call him by tina
name, had reached the abode for which h
sought. And gloomy and dismal scenes
that city Of the plague. Everything wor
look OF melancholy. As he advanced, tn
evide.-- &C the infection became more ap
parent, and he soon knew by fatal signs
that here was the very heart Of the pest
lence. Whole rows OF houses were shu
up, with the fearful cross marked OH thei
front; while from others, might be hear
shrieks and cries, rising awfully upon tn
silence. Scarcely a solitary house Shove
evidence Of life, except here and there
light streaming from some upper window
The Waterman to guard the infected dwell
ings stood like so many dusky statues mt
tionless in the twilight. Talbot was horrol
struck. All that he had heard or read {
these awful visitations had given him n
picture half as dreadful as this, where deaf
seemed rioting on every hand, and the dyin
persisted without aid, sympathy, or prayer.
He never knew how he reached the abod
OF Lord Norman, but at length he stood b.
meath its massive portal. Suddenly he II
} membered Eveline
She might herself be dying. new lee
ing seized l;l-he thought no more oil u
. general misery-il was only for one he care
now. laundering loudly at the portal. J
: stood breaIhless and impatient, waiting f'
/ admission.
Z, Five minutes past and there was no r
!. ply, He remembered then that there wei
!, no watchmen before the door. as in the ca
D Of every infected house, and he had heal
from the old sexton that The pestllence VI
in the family. Could Eyeline be dead !
e His cheek banched and his limbs lremble
/ He Numbered again for admission-a he
L low sound echoed within. He looked vii
IS ly up and down the street. but not a livli
d being was in sight. Every house in the ,
+ cinity appeared To be closed. either from q
e death or flight of its inhabitants. A soliI
e ~ lamp or two glimmered family in the d
:, lance. Still no answer came to the rett
y ated summons Of Talbot He became m
y with fear. Unable longer TO endure his ST
B. pense, and satisfied that the mansion was q
+ serted, he was about going to obtain ASST
ance of the authorities 10 break open I
:, door, when voice was heard behind hi
q 1t was that of Waterman.
would your honor wish TO know soH
e. Thing about this ere house = said the ma
N because if you be relation or anythi
10 like that, could tell ye all about it,"
"For Gods sake then be quick" So
,u a. . n.ara II cold into