Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-09-29

persisted. But have you no knowledge c
himl"
The old lady put on her glasses and cal
+ ing him along, eyed him atlentively for
moment, aud then raising both hands e,
: claimed,
Heaven be praised it is the child q
my own poor daughter, of whom we hay
heard nothing for many day. Probabl
for some cruise, alas know not what
his parents have left him hereabouts, think
ing his grandparents would find and CLAIM
him. Oh Rssa, darling Rissa but 70
thee we had never seen him alive p
Rissa's eyes filled with tears, and layini
her hand on the shoulder of the old lady
she said,
"Kind heaven has indeed blest YOU, an,
raised up friends for the deserted boy-ant
may he long live to comfort and supper
your declining years"
Seeing that my services were not need
ed, | congratulated. and took my leave Of
the old lady. Nerissa accompanied me to
the outer door, where paused and begged
her to tell me the story OF the quaker.
daughter, hoping that might thus gain
some clue to her own history. This she
briefly did, but only alluded to herself as a
visiter then ventured 10 revert to the
masquerade ball. She blushed deeply, and
with charming frankness, said that she
had recognized me, but thinking | might
have forgotten the circumstance, had not
made herself known.
Forget that were impossible" replied
], "and trust you will pardon my bold
4 han II son L.
has haunted me ever since. Tell me if [
may ever hope to lure you from this dark
wilderness, which i'll BELTS lady of your
beauty and accomplishments"
She turned pale as marble, and with a
voice tremulous with agitation, replied.
ave are strangers, aud perhaps it were
better for US both, had we never met.
am not, as you deem me. the child Of pros
perily dark cloud hangs over me, with
which you can never wish to dim your own
bright horizon"
l assured her Of my readiness 10 serve
her, told her that my happiness was in her
hands, and that whatever might be her sit.
uation or prospects. was assured Of her
purity Of heart, Of which her every word,
look and act, were indices, and | cared for
naught else. Twas evident this assertion
gave her pleasure, for she smiled faint
ly and INCREASINGLY suffered me 10 press
her hand To my lips. After begging to see
her again, which Si's did aSt ssf.ss .-s,
left her."
As he concluded, Clara earnestly ex.
claimed,
"Well done, Frank promise you I
will never laugh at your romantic ideas
again, for this adventure in point Of ro-
nance, exceeds them all nor will con-
denim everything which read as false, ex-
cept plain matter Of fact for after all
do think there are some persons whose
lives are made up Of remarkable incidents,
and among this class you hereafter rank
Nerissa is charming but what will be-
come Of poor Ophc!;a, whc. l am SIRE
loves you to distraction 7"
"And ! am sure" replied Frank, 81
have never given her the least encourage.
ment, and il she were not blind as a bat,
she would have Withdrawn her attentions
long since"
"Ol Frank, Frank, do not speak thus
Of my sweet friend !"
"Forgive me, Clara, but really il appears
to me you see her through false medi-
UNI; 10 me she appears like vain, maneu-
vering girl"
Frank, you are unjust is she not beau
tiful. accomplished and admired Be-
cause you cannot love her, there is no rea-
son why you should traduce her."
"Far be it from me TO injure her, and
sincerely hope that instead Of you are
deceived in her character"
Frank and Clara Donald were the only
children OF merchant in high standing,
and very wealthy. Frank was expected
10 succeed his father in business, and adj
ded to his uncommon advantages for edu-
cation, was possessed OF the same noble
qualities Of heart and mind, which had en-
deared MIR Donald 10 all who knew him
Clara was lovely girl, and though differ
ing in disposition was not less beloved than
her more obseryant and thoughtful brother.
A little less than two miles from their
mansion dwelt Ophela-ihe petted and on
ly child Of wealthy parents, for whom Cla-
IA had formed an inordinaie friendship
As Clara had stated, she was beautiful, &c.
complished and admired, and TO a transient
observer, almost resisiless. She quite sue.
cessiuly wore garb of amiabilily, which
concealed her unhappy traits, which were
nothing less than jealousy, envy, and
great desire for admiration. Frank Donald
was almost the only gentleman in her cir
Gle, whom she could not enlist among her
admirers, and for more than three years
she had yainly striyen TO storm the well.for-
tilted citadel, for the performance Of which
feat, she would have given every one of
her inferior lovers She knew him to
bc immensely rich. and her parents also
thought il a desirable match. To Clara
she ever appeared the personihcation of vir-
tue, rightly judging that in this way alone
could she retain the affection of the high
minded girl, who in return loved her ten.
DERBY, and could not believe her guilty of
even folly. As Ophelia had foreseen,
their inseparable friendship threw her much
into the society Of Frank but with all her
manguyerig she could gain only such at
teniions from him as polleness demanded
In vain she wore her most becoming orna-
menis, played admirably at the piano her
most touching airs, affected an admiration
lOF fhinU al saI