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

pear unconscious.
: They had Ut been long at the fair wher
Frank aud " rissa entered. Ophelil anC
Clara were near each other, and Frank i'm
mediaiely presented Nerissa 10 them
Touched by the remembrance of her mis-
fortunes, and charmed by her que, beauty
! Clara received her with the tenderness Of
a sister, and Ophelia with cold poliieness
She was simply alfred in white, her only
ornament necklace Of pearls. which had
I been presented her by her father. AT one
glance Ophelia saw the grace Of her form
and movements, The delicacy OF her com.
plexion, the soft fose-tint on her cheek, the
sad, but sweet expression Of her blue eyes
and knew she was creature TO be be.
loved In an instant, aided by the green.
eyed monsier-jealousy, she conceived an
mveierate hatred for her. This she con.
cealed, and summoning all her pride.
sought TO appear as usual. Many an eye
rested upon her in admiration, and many an
ear drank with pleasure the destinations Of
her voice, little dreaming that bitterness
rankled at her heart. The entertainment
over, in the retirement Of her own room, as
with contracted brow, she wresied the Jew.
elled bracelet from her beautiful arm, aud
disdainfully cast aside her rich and costly
adornings, which only few hours previous
had been arranged with studied care, she
vowed that Frank Donald should never be-
come the husband OF the beautiful stranger !
Ii was a sweet autumnal evening, when
Frank aud Nerissa sailed forth. TO enjoy
II 10 Nhsr IA -.
lence. Frank said sadly.
Let US make much OF this lovely eren-
ing, for regret to say that some Time must
elapse ere shall again enjoy your sweet
presence. as my father to-day informed me
Of his desire that should leave home on
important business. which must detaih me
weeks if not months"
Nerissa's heart was oppressed with sad.
ness, and her eyes filled with tears, as she
mournfully repeated,
weeks, months. what changes have they
not already brought, what changes may
they not again bring Your presence has
become necessary to my existence. and why
do you leave me 7"
Frank folded her 10 his bosom, and kiss
cd away her tears. assuring her that his re-
greet at the necessity was not less than Der
own. and begging her in the society of
Clara and Ophella, TO be as cheerful as pos
sibe. After yowing mutual consiancy, and
promising 10 write each other often, they
parted.
The following day. Nerissa received a
visit from Ophelia, who, under q pretence
OF warm friendship, had already gained a
place in her affections. The first salutations
over. she twined her arms fondly around
Nerissa, Imprinted a warm kiss upon her
forehead, and in voice Of tender sympa.
thy, which she too well knew how 10 as
sumo, said,
only sweet friend, how can bear TO see
you so melancholy; repose your SORROWS
upon bosom that loves you with sisters
affection"
With these and other honed words, she
won the confidence OF the truthful aud I'm
suspicious Nerssa, who repeated the story
Of her love and her grief at parting. Ophe.
liza Ieigned much surprise at the departure
OF Fsank, and musingly said,
swell. father must have been mistaken,
for he informed me that Mr. Donald rejected
the proposal OF Frank. but probably he has
prevailed on him to give his consent"
A painful blush suffused the cheek Of
Nerissa, and in voice OF agitation she said,
"Pray explain yourself. think did not
understand you"
"Oh nothing" replied Ophelia, "only
father CHANGED to be in the counting room
when Frank asked permission Of his father
TO spend the pleasant months in travel, to
which Mr. Donald urged pressure of bust.
ness as an objection but, as said, he has
probably consented"
Nerissa was stung to the heart at these
cruel words, but she had too good sense 10
belray the supposed deception of Frank
even to a confidant.
Opheia then turned comforter, and told |
her that time would soon wear away, and
presumed they were not so widely separated
but that they could maintain correspon-
dence.
ooh no." replied Nerissa, 81 shall
doubtless hear from him often even to-
morrow expect ,idings."
As Ophelia wendell her way homeward,
she said TO herself. exultingly, "Well, so far
| have succeeded admirably. ! knew | |
should hit upon plan at last, and the silly
girl is now my dupc. To morrow the let.
ter !" and she laughed outright.
Thus can jealousy transform female
heart, Ohe native seat of every virtue) into
adamant, and by smothering the voice OF
conscience, rob il Of the last spark OF ten.
derness.
A day or two later she again visited Ne
rissa, and found her more melancholy than
before as she had received no intelligence
from Frank, and il was now the third day.
Ophelia again played her part as comforter,
and departed.
TO be concluded.
OXEN IN A WELL.-Yesterday afternoon,
yoke Of oxen was left standing beside an open |
n = Al. e. u.