Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-12-21
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BY MRS. s. NJ. HUMPHREY,


C0nclHdcd
Another severe tiaE awaited Anna Not long
after the last painful interview with Eugene, i'll
which she had done violence to every feeling Of
her heart her father sent for her to come to his
room. She tremblingIy obeyed, and for the first
time in his life, he, pCrpleXed by her strange
conduct, harshly reproacAed her-accused her
of ingratitude to him, and injustice to Sir
Charles; remarking, that since she wiully
blinded herself to his superior merits, by 50 do
inc proving herself incapable Of forming cor
rect Judgment, he felt it his duty as her protector
and guardian, to demand her unhesltatmg ac-
ceptance Of the suit Of Sir Charles, who he
was persuaded loved her tenderly, and was even
now deeply suffering from her cruel GOODNESS -
"Think not, Anna continued he, in voice
somewhat soGened, 'that | have ceased to love
you; remember your own peryerseness has rem
dered this step necessary; and believe me, the
day is not distant, when happy in the untiring
devotion of the noble heart that beats in the bo.
som of Sir Charles, you shall bless me for the
decision, which now, in your girlish folly, yon
may deem unkind if not cruel"
Without waiting for reply he left her, and
Anna felt that her cup of bitterness was full
She knew, flom the decided manner of her ta-
Their, that resistance was vain; and long she
pondered what course nexts to pursue, A hap.
Nv idea at length occurred. She remembered
that Sir Charles had once asked her confidence,
promising that it should never be abnsed; and
she resolved to cast herself on his mercy and
freely tell him all.
S1mmoning all her resolution, she immedl~
ately proceeded to a little arbor at the foot Of
the garden, which she had seen him enter short
time before, where she found him. In one hand
he held an unheeded volume-while on the 9TH
er his head penslvely rested. So deeply absorb
ed was he in his meditations, that he did not
hear her approaching footsteps, and when she
pronounced his name he started with surprise,
Anna begged to be excused for her intrusion,
to which he CALAMITY replied, that her presence,
instead, was ever deemed pleasure.
An embarrassing silence ensued, during which,
Sir Charles with an aching heat, contemplated
the change in the once sprightly and joyous An.
ma. She appeared to him paler than ever and
length, as if anticipating her Wishes he broke
silence by saying
Gamma once asked you if you were happy
you replied not; but long since I have read an
answer in your faded cheek, heavy step, and the
deep halfsuppressed sigh, that sometimes heaves
your bosom: tell me if am in any manner ac-
cessory to this, and | will cease, either Ivy my
presence or opportunities to alilict you"
As she turned her beautiful eyes upon him, a
beam of gratitude lighted her pale cheek, and
she warmly replied,
"Kmdest, most generous Of Giends-lronl
YOU, unworthy though am, have nothing to
fear and you are more than deserving of my
confidence know that have often given you
pain, but let this explain i love hopelessly, with
passion that can never be transferred no more
than it can know shadow of change
Sir Charles pressed his hand upon his lofty
brow, us if mastering his emotion, and then In {
calm voice, thanked her for this proof Of he
confidence, and urged her to disclose to him, az
to a brother, all the circumstances OF her hope
less love
Unhesitatngly she complied, and at the con
cluson, Sir Charles passionately exclaimed,
eugene Sutherland is a noble fellow-wor
thy Of yaur love- and why do you despaif!'
"Ah!" replied Anna, "too well do | know
the ambitions feelings Of my father; and thougl
his widowed heart cings fondIy to me, he woul'
sooner follow me to the grave, than bury me il
the seclusion Of a home like Eugenes; and soon
er would lie forgotten there, than impose
heavier tax than rests already upon that nobI
youth"
"Would to Heaven might assist you," re
piled Sir Charles, "but alas as you say, there
appears to be no hope, At least, you shall no
suffer on my account beneath fathers censure
and though much regret the forfeiture OF tn
esteem Of my worthy friend, will 60 to hin
without delay and tell him my mind has chang
ed"
"Admirable friend--kiud benefactorW reptile
she, "heavcn will reward you, and ere long, ma
you bless the day that saved you from blighted
wthered heart like mine, and united you to
bright, kindred spirit"
Sir Charles was not slow in redeeming hi
word, and as he expected gained for himself tn
keen displeasure of Mr. Moreand. He hastiI
tore himself from the spot where some of tn
sweetest as we'll as the most bitter moments c
his life had been passed, and as he returned t
his former pursuits no one would have mistrus
ed that he had suffered. He felt that he ha
discharged his duty, and being possessed Of a
unusual share of self control, he strove, by aga
mingling in society, TO bury the remembrance G
his disappointment, and soon in the generost
of his heart, it occupied but second place
while his remembrance of the sorrows of Ann
was far more painful, and he sincerely hope
that some unlocked for event might yet favor he
union with Eugend
Though Mr. Moreland was extremely NORTH
ed and grieved at what he termed the ingratitud
OF Sir Charles, he felt that it was well that An
ma had hot given her affections to one in WHOM
they had been so much deceived, and she soo
found herself occupying her former position il