Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-09-08

II am afraid il H." replied the widow
sorrowfully, though Lney has made no
acknowledgment 10 me Of her Affection
Poor girl, che must suspect that the choice
siie has made is the overthrow Of all nv
hopes for my old age"
Don't blame her. mother, -perhaps she
does 40, know all this. Long ago should
have given myself fair chance, and let
lee know that loved her with better than
a broiI1er's love instead Of weighing words
and looks. and smolhering every express
ion of my feelings, from the romantic no
isoa that would not ask her TO love me
untIl | wns IN business for myself, and
cosld place her in the position Of pros
porous BRIDESMAIDS wife Idiot that was,
mot 10 be sure that should be foresialled."
3 "An,] now that you are so near the sum-
ma Of your wishes" apostrophised his
inofiier. i ti
ITO my astonishmenli The Offer Of
Moason 10 take me into partnership, is
asost extraordinary piece Of good for
tune"
''He knows there are not half dozen
such workmen IN LONDON, aud that for.
iune IS 10 be made by the improvements
YOU have suggested" replied Mrs Lawson
with pr 1e
Welt" sighed Jasper. "ffom whatever
cause il is, il comes like mockery now.
doubt Il there will be any more improve.
meats Of mine. have little hear, for any
thing r.. 80 t5a
II can hardly forgive her for this. Jasper
--ssd so much as have always said
against bin"
,'Tfherc il il, mother" interrupted the
young ,nap, almost Gercely, "if she love
han IN the manner that lore her, the
more he - blamed the more will she cling
10 him. Why, feel, IL she was plunged
iatc want and misery-her beauty gone, or
with evil tongues like harpies daring at
her, such an hour Of voc would be The one
in which would show my aduralion most
passiona seIy, most madly. IL you like TO
call Il s,--she would still be herseif, and ii
is herself that love" Ht
Poor Mrs Lawson was awed and panied
by her sons enthusiasm Like many 9th
er excelLeni.hearted and shrewd persons,
she vas quite incapable OF following those
subtitle emotions. which are the most real
IN the world, and more than any others in
fluenos human destinies aud vet ave scott
cd at by large number Of persons as
"mere unaginaiions," romance" mon
sense, and long list OF eiceteras
We must take the reader little behind
the curtain. Ralph ashton was quite as
care ,,er ss;.ssd hssl Ia he BOT his was
that Common passion. purely selfish one
lie &c n,ired her beauty, and would be
proud Of a wife thus endowed, aud with
mental requirements something beyond
those common TO her station. But his Gun
Mug brain worked upon two uliesior oh.
jecis W hich had nothing TO do with these
personal qualities. II so happened, that a
great deal of the business connected with
the affairs Of the bankrupt trustee had pass
ed through the Office in which Ashton was
cmployed, aud he knew enough OF il 10
form an almost positive opinion that Lucy
would ultimately recover her little torture.
. However. he took care 10 keep this knowl-
edge TO himself, and wooed her apparently
with the most disnieresied affection, not
erca AT present limiting Of the plan which
in his own mind was well nigh msiured.
that of establishing his wife al the wesi-end
Of the town as a fashionable milliner, well
know ing that her taste and skill, and supe-
rior manners, would be sure to raise her 10
an eininence that must contribute greatly
10 his ease and comfort. In shori he plan
ned to himself becoming something like
that very contemplate creature, Of death.
less memory, the renowned Man,eilini
A few weeks passed over. and Ralph
Ashton and Lucy Freezing were engaged
~ be married In Justice to the latter. we
must say thai she had only very lately sus-
perted the deep feeling which her lifelong
csmpanion, Jasper Lawson, entertained for
her, and the discovery made TO her by his
wexed and disappointed mother panied her
deeply. Il is true Mrs Lawson had some.
uimes limited at her hopes for the future. in
phrases sufficiently Ineligible 10 Lucy. hui
alas Jasper had concealed his affection
but too we'll The time had been, she
knew, thai he might huye won her, but il
was gone BY, she said, and she could bul
regard him as a dear brother.
They were engaged, and all seemed fair
before them and Ralph even yentnred "a
hint one day from intelligence which be
declared he had received but a few hours
ooioici thaa pcihups eNef AL Lucy "ouie
receive her money. He did this adyisedly
for he knew il was very likely that the
news would reach her in day or two IRON
another quarter. Sorrow was coming how
ever, as il generally does. from an unexpect
ed source. The "acliug of her eyes" o
which Lucy had complained as the result
OF excessive application TO her needle, be
came more distressing, and on medical ad
vice being obtained, the mos, alarming
| symptoms were discovered With all th'
horrors Of threatened blindness before her
Lucy was confined for several weeks TO
durkened room and months must elaps'
before there was any hope that under tn
mosl favorable circumstances she could NJ
ply herself 10 her ordinary occupation
During this time Jasper became JUNO
partner in the establishment 10 which b
had belonged, aud through his mother, hi
increased income contributed 10 the com
forts and medical attendance OF The poo
sufferer. How could The poor destitute OF
phan refuse help from him who only aske
TO be called cher brother = She did no
refuse il, nay. she felt that she would rall
er be assisted by him than by her beiro,i
"a ~. . .