Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-12-14

solitude, and feared that it was possible that her
heart was already engaged in direction which
favored not the ambitious views of her father,
and that she, in her deep devotion to him. was
sacrahcing herself He knew from what he had
learned of her character, that in this case, to
seek her would be fruitess, as no second love
could ever find place in her heart. AT all events
he resolved to check his own emotions, and watch
her narrowly until the solution of the mystery,
as he generously thought by so doing he might
spare her much pain.
On the evening the same day, as Mr.. More
land was conversing with him in regard to his
daughter, he ventured to remark, that possibly
some unfortunate love affair influenced her.
Without moments hesitation, Mr.. Moreland
confidently replied, that the heart of Anna was
free as an "uncaged bird, that she was, and
ever had been, stranger to everything of that
nature.
Believing that her father, who was her con-
slant attendant, could not be ignorant if such
was the case, he felt relieved and delighted, and
as he knew no impeachment, he resolved without
delay to seek her love. To this end he broke
tie subject to the delighted father, who assured
him he should be most happy to bestow her on
one as worthy as himself
He next sought an interview with Anna. He
found her alone and melancholy, as usual. With
palpitating heart he seated himself at her side,
and after little hesitation broke silence by say
ing that he feared she was not happy.
Anna thought she discovered something unu-
sually deep and sad in the tone Of his voice and
with look Of surprise she turned her soft blue
eyes full upon him, as if she would have cad his
heart; but they instantly fell before the same
tender, fond gaze that had startled her a few
hours previously. She knew that she had not
been deceived, and a pang of bitterness shot
through her heart, and forbade utterance.
Sir Charles, installing her emotion, took her
small white hand within his own, and respect
fully pressed it to his lips Quicker than tho't
the hand was coldly withdrawn and she proud
y rose for the purpose of leaving the room.
Sir Charles sought to detain her, and earnest
y exclaimed
"Anna-Miss Moreland--forgye me and if
you do not wish to make me miserable, leave
me not thus Know, lovaliest and most perfect
of women that l am not Indifferent To you and
though may never hope to win return, at
least grant me your confdence--your friendship;
never, never shall they be abused !"
"My warmest frendship-my deepest respect
:, most noble sir ARE yours-but excuse Inc tonight
on the morrow we meet again"
Sir Charles released her and as his earnest
gaze followed her retreating form, he sadly ex-
claimed-"Ah now, lovely, mysterious lady,
more than ever am ] at a loss to account for
thee p
Once more in the retirement of her own room
Anna pressed her hand upon her throbbing heart,
aud bitterly crled--"Ie loves me alas, he loves
me and like myself, that noble heart must ex-
perience the misery Of hopeless attachment, and
| the unhappy--unwlling nhctorW
On the following day Sir Charles sought to
appear cheerful as usual, lest Mr.. Moreland
might mistrust that all was not right, and he had
resolved for the sake Of Anna, to keep him in en-
tire ignorance of what had passed.
Anna OWNED his motive, and when her proud
father joyfully congratulated her on her bright
prospects, she turned her head to conceal the I'M
hidden tear, which act Mr. Moreland imputed to
modesty; and still deceived, with light heart
he left her,
Thus passed many a weary day; and Sir
Charles renowned all hope of ever obtaining
Anna.
Eugene notwithstanding his resolutions, found
himself unable to deny himself her presence,
and they enjoyed many steaIthy interview which
only served to rvet more firmly the chains that
bound thorn. SILL word Of love ha1 I'a-DoI
between them-alI they knew was, that when
together, their happiness was complete; they
looked to no future.
But things could not always remain thus
The step of Anna lost its firmness, her cheek its
glow, her eye its Brightness and at tenght Mr..
Moreland, missing the music of her voice, began
to open his eyes.
He first appealed to Anna, and from her eva,
sive replies he could gain no satisfaction; then
to Sir Charles, but with no better success. An.
ma assured her father that she was ignorant Of
Sir Charles's intentions-which was true, as he
had never once named that subject since that
eventful evening. Sir Charles also plead igno-
: rance in regard to Anna.
Meantime, the mother and sister of Eugene
were also vainly striving to win him to his &C
! customed chcerfuIness True, he walked with
Amelia as in former times, but then, he did moi
I enter with his usual warmth into all her little
plans and it occasoned many feeling of lone
illness in her fond, sisterly heart dependent as
she was for sympathy upon mother and brother
: alone.
e One afternoon as she was engaged in reading
| to her brother deeply interesting narrative
( she paused to make some remark in connection
= when to her surprise she found him entirely ig
S norant of the subject. Grieved at his neglect
d she cast one reproachful glance upon him, anc
| unable to repress her emotions, burst into flood
= Of tears.
r. Eugene sprang quickly from his seat, ant
J. Selling her in his arms, folded her to his bosom
: saying, as he did so-"My sweet Amea-my
IS fond sister. forgive me! forgive mel HEAVIER
}, knows how fondly love you; and sooner wou
o die than knowingly give you pain, Do you
d can you doubt it,"
l. 81 know you love me-" replied the sobbn
d girl; "but then you are changed-you are nc
Of happy; you have ceased to conhde in me; and
,e for the first time in my life, am alone, al
st wretched."
J. "Say not so, my own Amelia; own l hav
n had some little trouble, which, if have not COZ
st ided to you, it has been because love you an
our dear mother too well TO disturb you. 1t
lie over now, and at some future time [ will tie