Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-07-13

ideal mingled together IN their thoughts and
words, which, wander as they would, ever
came back to the one theme How Lily talk
ed and laughed, and praised Paul Wander
pant and how Gertrude blushed and listen
ed, and loved her for that praise. The time
passed away SO quickly, they could scarcely
believe that they had indeed come to the
termination of that dreary wood and were
entering into the little market-town of S.
Neither had they perceived how the beauty
of the morning had passed away, and the
atmosphere gradually darkened and thick
ened around them.
Gertrude's simple purchases were soon
made-much sooner than Lily quite appro-
we'd of; for she would fain have fingered
twice as long, looking at the smart ribbons
and laces but as her sister said, of what
use was it, since they could not afford to
buy any They next went to visit the rel
atives before mentioned, who received them
with hearty welcome.
81 think that we shall have some snow"
said she, as they sat at dinner.
1t does look like it now, to be sure"
observed Lily. {" How Paul will triumph to
find that he was right, after all p
DO you think that the snow will be
much p asked Gertrude.
Not until after sunset"
And we should be home by then"
elf you wish to return tonight" said
their hostess, q" would advise your losing
no time about it,"
"Lct us 60" exclaimed Lily, elf it is
only to tease Paul. do not believe that it
will snow-at least not before we reach
home; and we will walk fast, as we did
this morning"
Gertrude was also DESTROYS of returning,
for she well knew that her mother would be
fancying all sorts of improbable things, and
have no rest, if they did not come, although
they tarried at her own request. Accord
ingly the sisters took a hasty leave Of their
kind relative, and commenced their Journey
homeward. The cold was intense, and a
sharp easterly wind came full in their faces,
sometimes in such violent gusts as almost
to beat them back again, while the wther-
ed branches creaked and groaned as they
bent beneath the blast.
"This is anything but pleasant" said
Lily, as she paused a moment to recover
breath and wrap the folds of her cloak close
around her. But at any rate there is no
snow, and we shall yet laugh at Paul for a
false prophet"
AS she spoke large white snowflake
drilted before her eyes, and wbirled around
and around as if in mockerv. Gertrude
smiled as she pointed to it; but there was
weight on her heart, and she almost wished
that they had not ventured. But it was too
late to think of that now, since it was as
near TO proceed as to retrace their steps;
and no alternative remained but to walk OH
as quickly as possible.
Every moment the sky seemed To grow
darker, while the snow fell fast and silently.
In an incredibly short space of time the
ground and the trees were all whitened over,
while the sharp driving sleet almost blinded
them. Gertrude soon discovered that they
had missed the right path, but knew not how
to regain it and they wandered about for
/ hours, until the night came OH and found
them entirely bewildered in the mazes of
that drcary wood. At length poor Lily be-
gan TO lose all hope, and sinking down up
on the snow, declared that she felt too tired
to 90 any further 1t was in vain that Ger
trude endeavored to arouse and cheer her {:
the cold had seized upon her, and fatal
le.hargy was fast stealing over her senses.
ooh, LilyW exclaimed her sister, do
try and get up. 1t does not snow quite so
hard now, and perhaps we may be able to
find the path. We cannot be SO very far
from home; at any rate, it will be warmer
walking about"
"What were you saying about home, SIS
ter q! for your voice sounds great way off
aud feel SO sleepy. do not think that i
shall ever sec home again"
" Hush, dearest! only try and arouse
yourself Lily; speak to me! Lily Lii
ly"
There was no answer
" If she sleeps now" murmured Gertrude,
6" she will wake no more. Oh God, be mer-
ciful! Save her-save us both My poor
mother! My dear Paul" And the girl
lifted up her casped hands and wept. She
took off her warm cloak and spread it over
!, Lily--there was nothing else that she could
) do. God alone could help them :" His
will be done !" said Gertrude. And as she
knelt aud prayed, strange calm came over
, her, and her heart was filled with trust
! " He knoweth best" thought she. " He
will comfort them And yet, if it were His
will to spare us a little longer, we are SC
, young to debut Thy will, o God, not
; mine be done !"
1.-The girls will not be home now," sale
widow Hoffman to her son, as she glanced
, at the clock, and then out of the snow-cov
/ cred easement as well as she could into the
, darkness, ~ am glad that | thought o
= their staying at s.. You can go to bed
7 Eric, dear"
: The boy obeyed her, and was asleep in 1
+ moment--but his mother could not rest 81
S she opened her large clasped bible and read
, pausing at intervals to listen to the whisper
4 ings of the snow as it drifted against thu
window pane.
: Paul Vanderpant, assured of the safety O
b his beloved, went to bed thinking what
!, merry walk they should have on the follow
e ing day back from s., and how h
c would tease Lily for having ventured t.
# doubt his word. About ten minutes after
wards he was suddenly aroused by some on
: knocking at the door, and distinctly hear,
the sweet voice of Gertrude bidding him ge
c up as quickly as possible, and toll the chap
ell bell
1t Paul was soon dressed, and went fort
n wondering what should make Gertrude sum
mon him and above all, why they had ven