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

away one moonlight night; but somehow
the baron got to hear of it, and burning
with rage, set spurs to his horse, ana over
took them just opposite the little wayside
chapel, in which the lady sought refuge
She was kneeling and praying before the
altar, when her stern father entered hastily
with his sword drawn and covered with
blood and she knew by that, as well as by
the expression of his countenance, that all
was over. For moment the old baron was
startled by wild and thrilling shrek, and
when he advanced after a pause, and lifted
her from the ground where she had fallen,
he found that she was dead her heart had
broken The body of the young knight is
said to have been secretly inferred some
where within the precints of the chapel +;
while that of his betrothed was conveyed
back to the splendid burial place of her an
cestors; but every night her spirit comes to
weep over the lonely grave of her murdered
lover ~
"And did you really ever hear or see a.
nything 2" asked the little Eric of Paul Van
derpant, as his sister concluded her nara
tive.
Yes, | remember now. One night |
was sitting alone in my little cottage, when
| distinctly heard three deep groans, sue
ceeded by a heavy fall without"
"And what did you do % asked the boy,
creeping closer to him, aud fixing his large
eyes eagerly upon his countenance.
got up directly, and opened the door ;
there was nothing to be seen, although to
be sure, the night was very dark had,
however, hardly resumed my seat, than the
groaning was repeated in somewhat fainter
accents"
How frightened you must have been,"
said Lily.
81 was startled, confess; and this time
| took the lamp with me; but when | OPEN
ed the door, there came another gust of
wind and blew it out, so that | was no better
oifthan before. In stepping over the thresh-
old stumbled against something which lay
PROSTATE on the ground, and another heavy
groan succeeded. 1t was poor wandering
pedlar who had lost his way, and was half
frozen to death with the cold; so that he
had not even sufficient strength left to de-
mand admittance at that door TO which the
light burning within had providentially d.
rected him"
"Then it was no ghost after all ~ en-
claimed Eric, with disappointed air
"We might have suspected as much"
observed his sister Lily.
Gertrude put her hand into her lovers
and smiled. Did the poor man recover 2"
asked she.
Yes, and you will doubtless see him
some day, for he never passes this way with
out calling"
hat h.I
Lily, and feared to open the door l am
sure should"
"I hope not y answered Paul " for then
the poor old man must certainly have per-
ished with the cold as Gertrude says, we
should fear nothing but God p
Lily smiled and remained silent, for she
well knew that whatever Gertrude said, or
thought, or did was sure to be right in the
eyes of Paul and the young girl wondered,
if ever she had lover-a possibility which
she often seriously contemplated-whether
it would be the same, and whether it ever
would be cas- Lily says!" Time enough,
sweet Lily. Thou art little more than a
child as yet, although thou woudst toss thy
pretty head, and curl thy pretty rosy lips, il
any body should venture to tell thee so.
trude spun all her household linen, and ar
ranged her simple wardrobe against the now
fast approaching period which had been fix
ed upon for their wedding to take place. 1t
was so delightful to think that she was not
to be separated from her family, but could
see them every day as usual and 60 in and
out the old cottage, and ascertain that her
mother had everything comfortable, and pu,
Lily in the way of doing many things which
would seem strange 20 her at first for the
active and busy Gertrude had been hither.
to the presiding spirit Of her cheerful home
There was one or TIVE little articles, howev.
err, which Gertrude wanted to complete hei
trousseau, and which could not be procured
nearer than the market-town of s., sit.
uatcd at the extremity Of the wood about
five miles off; but she knew the path well
having been that way many times before
Accordingly, one fine morning, Gertrude
started for S., accompanied by Lily, who, a
their mother appeared unusually well, anC
Eric had promised not to leave her, asked
permission to 90 with her sister, for there
was nothing that Lilly enjoyed more thar
going to S., which, small as the town was
seemed to her like another world
Paul Vanderpant prophesied that ther'
would be heavy fall of snow before night
but it certainly did not look like it then.
was agreed, however, that in case he SHOULD
be right, the sisters were to sleep at thu
house of distant relative, who resided il
the town; and Paul was to come over tn
following morning and fetch them home
He would have been glad to accompan
them could he have found time bot, if tn
truth must be told even Gertrude was no
very sorry that he did not for she had, a
we have said, several little purchases t.
make, and men are sadly in the way upo
these occasions.
Lily laughed merrily, as she stood warm
ly equipped for their long walk, and wit
the early sunlight glitterlng upon her bright
golden hair. Be sure that you bring tn
sledge, Paul." she exclaimed; "for til
snow will certainly be to deep too admit
our walking back %
"We' shall see," replied Paul Wander
pant good-humoredly.
7" | would lay you any wager we are HON
tonight" persisted Lily.
hope so, if it be without danger. b,
Gertrude, dearest, you will be careful, ft
: my sake"