Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-12-07

Anna Moreand was the only daughter of a
wealthy merchant in the city of B. Al
though gentleman of warm heart and good
understanding, his education had served to make
him somewhat arstocratic in his views. He
had spared no pains TO render complete the &C
compshments of his beautiful and idoized
daughter, and the darling wish of his heart was
to see her allied to one fully her equal-that is,
one able to support her in the splendor to which
she had been accustomed. He witnessed with
mingled feelings of pride and pleasure, the adj
ulation bestowed upon her as the idol Of fash
ion--the reigning belle in the gay circle in which
they moved, Had he paused to look beyond
the surface, and study the character Of his be-
loved child, he would have seen that hers was a
soul too lofty to delight in fattery or stoop to
folly, that richly endowed as was her person,
both by nature and art, yet the mnd-the beau
tiful mind was by far transcendent, and could
never be filled or satisfied at "fashion's hollow
shrine" Sometimes, it is true, he wondered at
the impartial manner in which she received the
attentions of her admirers; but comforted him
self with the knowledge, that though belle and
a beauty, she was not a coquette. At other
times in his own mind he half reproached her,
as one destitute of womans love and tender
ness since dazzling wealth, brilliant talents, and
lofty honors were alike unheeded, or met the
same cold politeness, or calm, Indifferent, pas.
sonleSs reception. Alas for that proud father!
that gentle heart was already anothers, though
unacknowledged by herself, unsolicited by him.
The summer months were usually passed by Mr.
Moreand's family, at his country seat--an en-
chanting spot some miles distant from the city.
Anna loved its sweet retirement, and counted
those happy moments, which passed amidst the
green hills and valleys which surrounded her
fathers palace-for thus it appeared. 1t was
there too, that love-woman' slgnet-had sto-
len mperceptibly to her heart, and "changed
the spirit of her dream there she had gazed
upon face that interested her, and listened to
voice, whose every word found ready echo in
her heart and though no expression of affection
or even friendship had been breathed upon hel
ear, in absence her thoughts often reverted tC
those evening rambes and an image Aoated il
her pleasing visions, which through the window;
of her air castles, ever smiled upon her. The
gay alluremlents in crowded halls and festive
scenes, broke not the spell; and often was sht
recalled from her wanderings, by expressions
from admirng courtiers, like the following
"Indeed, Miss Moreland, you are very sentimen
tal,"-or, "pray favor me with the obsorbin!
subject of your waking dreams, for truly, the,
must be deeply interesting"
Then came the formal apology, but the hear
was wanting, and of course, another relaps
would follow. Lovers complained, and her ia
Their became more and more at loss to accoun
for hel strange conduct Still, he forbore nam
ing the subject, until one evening, as they wer
alone in the drawing room, she was leaning he
head thoughtfuly against the easement, hal
concealed by the damask curtains, aud apparent
ly, paying homage to nature Mr. Morelan
advanced, and taking her hand tenderly in hi
own, seated her on the sofa, and placed hmse
at her side.
"Excuse me, Anna" said hau1fl6a
your meditations, as =
lance to coInmti1