Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-03-10
FORGIVENESS.
A TALE.
ny DINAn MARIA UNLOCK.

when you see him..
The young girl, to whom these words
were addressed, shook her head, in doubt.
ful reply.
"You do not know how agreeable he is"
pursued her companion, tall and rather
stately looking young man, whose scarcely
handsome but pleasing face bore the firm.
ness and composed aspect Of eight-and
twenty years. at is really quite impossible
not to like him."
ave shall see," said Marion, smiling.
The two, whose short conversation we
have quoted, were walking slowly up and
down the walks of lovely garden. High
walls shut out everything but the tops Of sur
rounding trees, so that, but for the indisinct
rumble Of wheels, and the various sounds
that now and then came from the great city
of cities, this place might have been in some
far.dstanl country solitude. Trees bending
with ripe apples, peaches growing amidst
their green shelter, and one rich, full.leaved,
ripe-fruited mulberry tree adorned the gar.
den; while, climbing over the old fashion.
ed house, the clematis-Moore's might
blooming cereus" of sweet mcmory-shook
down its perfumed shower Of white bios.
SONS, and allured the few wandering bees
Of autumn.
In this beautiful garden strolled the two
lovers-for that such they were, was evil
dent from the young mans earnest almost
whispering tone, which no man ever uses,
save 10 the woman he loves, or pretends to
love. And Marion, too, in her answers,
pronounced his name-the common but
ever sweet name Of Wiliam-wih that lin
gering, loving intonation, which max S
even a less pleasant word sound beautiful,
when falling from atfectonate lips.
William Blair's afiianced wife was much
younger than himself-at least ten years.
He had known her all her life and fondled
her on his knee when an infant had watch
ed the fairy like, graceful child grow up
into the beautiful girl, until he could hardly
tell the period when his affection for his pet
and play fellow changed into his love for
the woman whom he wished to make his
companion for life And William Blair did
not WOO in vain it would have been strange
if he had, for the high qualities Of his mind,
and his pleasing looks and manners, were
calculated to win any girls heart-even
one so light, almost thoughtless, as that Of
Marion Hilliard, the spoiled child Of wild
owed father Hers was that plable nature
which under the guidance of a firm and no.
BILE character, might be moulded to any
good and even her father felt it so-that
she was, in early youth, bound by such ties,
to a man like William Blair.
Mr. Hilliard and his only daughter lived
in the retired suburban cottage we have
spoken of-seeing little society; for the
old naval officer was averse TO much COM
pany, aud only cared to see William Blair,
who came, as might be expected, almost
daily. Marion might have regretted this
seclusion; but her heart and thoughts were
too full of her lover, to care, at the time,
for any society but his. Therefore, when
he told her Of his cousin Oliver, his old
school-fellow, who was coming on visit to
him, Marion felt rather Jealous Of any one
who would possibly take Williams thoughts
and time away from her, than pleased at the
prospect of seeing new face.
The young couple continued their walk
up aud down the garden, aud then rested in
the little summerhouse. William again
referred 20 his cousin-spoke of his talents
his brilliant conversation, and vainly stroye
to alter Marion's prejudices against him.
The young girl laughed at his earnestness
Il "You might be pleading al the disagree
able Chancery.court, where you have learn
ed to be SO grave, and to argue so well
William" said she.
But suddenly becoming serious, Marion
lifted, with her slender and light finger, on,
of the thick chestnut curls from her lover
forehead, discovered deep scar under th,
beautiful hair. nf which, to toll tho truth
William was a little vain,
"This alone" said Marion, "would b,
enough TO prevent my ever liking the on,
who did il. and did il wilfully, too.'
"But that was so long apo-we wer
only boys; Oliver was hasIy and passionate
and could not endure any one who surpass
ed him. | believe he was sorry for il after
wards.n
"That NAV be. but the sin remains"
"No Marion | have years since forgot
ten il and forgiven Oliver"
"Tbat is because YOU are so good !; AM
I will lry 10 do the same but fear sha
never shake hands with him without think
=. ing how nearly the stone that hand tire,
might have cost your life. And then
: should not have been so happy as al
now, William" added the girl, in 10,