Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-04-28

with view TO comfort than 10 elegance :;
and provided with hat whch had seen a
great deal OF rough nght.duiy.
The interest felt in the dcnouement
Of the adventure, however, prevented my
troubling about this and seating myself,
pursuant To the old woman's directions, in
the solitary chair, | was leit alone to keep
watch in this singularly black and comfort
less apartment
lnsensibly | began TO grow Sleepy and
adjusting myself in as easy an attitude as
my uncomfortable position would permit,
fell into an uneasy doZe, in which the ILL.,
looking bag who had left me, was, in my
sleeping fancy, lowering about me and Of
iering me share Of the rings had seen her
take, on condition Of being accessory to
some internal crime which she was always
on the point OF con6ding 10 me, yet, some
how or other, never dyulged, when was
startled from my dreams by piercing cry. |
For a moment forgot where was the |
sound was still ringing in my ears, and the
candle, the snuff OF which out-topped its
blaze, afforded but an imperfect and sha.
dowy light. Full Of uneasy approximations,
| walked softly into the hall, and made my
way to the foot Of the stairs, where stood, |
listening breatlilessly for the sound Of hu.
man voice, but in vain. | thought, indeed,
| could distinguish in some remote upper
room the shutting Of feet, but OF this could
moi, on account of the constant rattle Of the
old window-frames in the wind, be perfectly
certain. After waiting for considerable
time, | was about to abandon my new POI
sition, or 10 return to my post in the parlor,
when once more distinctly heard the same
, piercing cry Of agony which had a, first
startled me. Without one moments hest
} iation, drew my sword, strobe by three-at-
} a-time up the stairs, the cries continuing as
, assembled; and Just as | reached the room
from which they were issuing, they subsid-
ed into moan, and heard the tread of
! steps as before.
I rushed directly TO the door, sword in
hand. and pushing it open, was some PAGES
( towards the centre Of the chamber before
: could ares, my advance. had good rea-
a son TO be astonished FIRE was lighted,
and several wax candles were burning in
e the room, and illuminated abundance OF
g furniture, somewhat dingy to be sure. but
e still, as il struck me, comfortable and re-
! spectacle in appearances there were cur
d tains carefully drawn across the windows,
+, carpet on the floor, and large bed, at one
side OF which stood, the one little in adj
a vance Of the other, the two women had
y accompanied, now Invested of their bonnets
J, and cloaks; at the other, Dr. Robertson !;
h and in the bed itself, flushed, exhausted, and
: as it seemed to me, well nigh dying-hesv.
h ems could believe it-Miss Chadleigh
II herself
d ! stood for several moments absolutely
= petri6ed with amazement; aud those upon
whose Offices had thus Unexpectedly in-
d truded, in SO wnriks an attitude, returned
+ my look with gaze Of scarcely less aston.
l. ishment than mine. The poor young lady,
n who laTquite motonless, with her eyes Just
!, closed, appeared however. wholly uncon-
&c seious of the intrusion. Before had re-
covered sufficiently from the stupefaciion Of
r. this extraordinary discovery, DR.. Robertson
W had taken me roughly by the collar, and
ly drew me, or rather pushed me out OF the
o. apartment.
e. In reply TO his angry interroga,ories
r which he had suppressed until had reach.
ne ed the lobby, offered the best explanation
= namely, the simple truth. Robbers, in.
or deed p he muttered-"more likely TO be
n one Of the gang yourself-"
he And calling out one Of the women, ant
ed having exchanged few words in whisper
as with her, presume touching myself, HI
ms appeared satisfied, and told me TO go dowr
in again US fast as could, and to beware how
he came again where | was not wanted
Sustaining as well as could the characie
nd assigned me. as il we're, by common con
n sent, conducted myself under this rebuke
ne as respectful Iackey might be supposed Il
r., do. was so much shocked, that on reach
ing the chamber where had been dlrecte,
&C. to wait, 1 could scarcely collect my thoughts
Only to think Of Miss Chadleigh's beinl
er, reduced to situation so strange aud de
10. plorabe !-she whom had last seen tn
DIS admired Of all beholders-ihe life and tn
ornament of the gay and elegant society i
lr. which she moved Merciful heaven no,
| repulsiye, degrading and melancholy was III
sfy contrast. A prey 10 a thousand confiictin
ny and tumuI,uous feelings, leaned upon III
m, old chimney piece, gazing upon the blac
Sc, and empty crate. lost. not in conjecture O