Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-07-27
Select Gales.
From the Union Magazine for June
The Fatal Valentine,
A LESSON TO LOVERS.
BY CHARLES LANMAN.

chant in moderate circumstances, and resided III
one of the more secluded streets of the great en-
porium of our land. The society to which they
belonged was of the highest responsibility, but
the life led by each member of this family was
distinguished for its peacefulness.
All the young men were acquainted with the
only daughter, were charmed by her accomplish
ed mind, personal beauty, and the sweetness of
her voice. But among those who aspired to win
her heart and hand, was one who had been re-
ceived as an accepted lover.-The parties were
worthey of each other, and the love which was
daily uniting them almost into one being, was
eminentIy refined and pure. Charming beyond
comparison were the scenes which the lover was
constantly picturing to his mind, and the smiles
of his lady constituted the sunlighth Of every
scene; and she too, 'cherished many vision OIL
unalloyed happiness, and the thought never enter
ed her mind that the world contained single
cloud that could possibly cast shadow over her
heart. Like young and vigorous tree of the
forest the young man stood among his fellows
and like flower in romantic dell dwelt the he
roine of our story, in her quiet home.
1t was the evening of ST. Valentines Day, and
Mary Marlowe was seated before comfortable
fire; now thoughtfully peering into the glowing
CRATE, and anon enjoying some OF the line passa-
ges ofLongfellows Hyperion. Her father was
absent from home on some charitable errand,
while her mother and-a country cousin, who was
making her winter visit, were spending the
evening with neighboring family-And 1t so
happened, too, that Mary's lover was absent from
the CITY, SO the beautiful damsel was entirely
alone.-Yes, she was indeed alone, but far from
being in lonely mood for her thoughts were
with hlr lover, and she amused herself by dwell
limo upon the treasures of her Undiscovered
ideal world.
But now the damseI is startled by the sudden
ringing ofthe street door bell, and the servant
presently makes his appearance in the parlor with
a note addressed to Mary Marlowe She recog-
nizes the hand-wrting-it is from her lover, and
quietly does she fix herself comfortably in the old
arm chair to enjoy the anticipated luxury. She
opens the letter, and reads as follows:
"My dear Mary You are indeed dear to me, but
at the same time think you cold-hearted girl
and fear that you possess timd and bashtul dspo
siOn which would never be reconciled to my sterner
nature In view of this deeprooted belief, have
ceived the idea of bringing our intimacy of half a
year to an immediate close. And what more appro-
pirate season could be selected for separation than
the present, when as doubt not, you are we-ngh
overwhelmed with the mssives Of st. Valentine, and
cam in moment, select worthy lover from the many
who have sought your hand ?-And now that may
be in the fashion, subscribe myself,
Your FRIEND AND VALENTINE"
The cruel arrow has pierced the maldens
heart, and by the calm despair now resting on
her brow, we trambe for her fate Tears came
not to her relief-the crimson current in he
veins has ceased to flow, and she falls into the
hollow of her chair in deep swoon. And now
she is visited by dream; and if we are to be-
lieve the story Of her countenance, strange and
fearful must be the character of the dream
1t is now ten o'clock; the family have all re.
turned, and our Mary has recovered from her
swoon Laughingly does her mother talk to her
about her housekeeping duties, for her dropping
eyelids intimate the idea that she has enjoyed a
Comfortable nap. To this pleasant reply is
returned, accompanied with kiss for all pre-
sent, but none, save our poor Mary, can see the
heavy cloud broodng upon the household.-A
few moments more, and the family all retired toI
their several apartments and the house is shroud-
ed in silence.
As usual, Mary and her cousin are to occupy
the same bed, and the latter, being uncommonly
drowsy is soon lost in a sweet slumber. And
now let us watch with care the movements of
her companion, who, when last noticed by the
sleeper, was porting over the pages of her Bible.
Noiselessly do her footsteps fall upon her carpet,
as she goes to a closet for a small vial which
she examines, and then places it upon her dress
ing case. Drawer after drawer is opened, and
on one or two chairs are displayed the various
articles which compose the dress of the bride.
And now the lady retires to her bath, and then
comes forth with ruddy glow upon her check
her flowing hair is bound into its beautiful folds,
and in short time she stands before her mirror
decked in spotless white, as if for virgin festi-
val. What does this mean? Alas our Mary
is the queen Of fantastic realm
But, 10! another change. The lamp has been
extnguished, and our Mary is upon her knees
at prayer, with her hands closely clasped, and
her full liquid eyes turned heavenward The
mellow moonlight steals sweetly thro the open
curtains, adding an unwonted brightness, as it
were to the figure of the praying girl. Not al
sound is there to break the holy silence Of the
pace-no sound save the almost inaudbe words
of this strange prayer.
Father in heaven, | cannot understand the
DEGREES of thy Providence, but | summit to thy
dispensation without a murmer | know that in
nv womanly idolatry l was forgetting thee and
now beseech thee, in thine infinite love, to have
mercy upon me, and wash my soul from every
transgression. Have mercy, o God, upon him
who has broken my heart; comfort my parents in
their declining years and answer my prayer
through the merits of thy Son, the Redeemer of
the world. come to dwell with thee, if thou
wilt receive me to thy bosom Amen and Amen
Morning dawned, and the pleasant sunshine
was flooding the world with beauty. Our Mary's
cousin was the first to awaken from slumber,
when she encircled her bed-feow with her arms,
and imprinted an affectionate kiss upon her lips;
one moment more, and she was petriaed with
horror--for Mary NARROW was numbered with
the dead.
On the third day after that of Valentine, the
lover of the unhappy suicide returned to the city
He found, not his beloved in the pleasant parlor
of her father, but sleeper in the voceless and
desoate tomb The fatal valentine was found
and submitted to inspection. He avowed his ut
ter ignorance of it, and having fallen into set
tied melancholy, is now ravng maniac. AS to
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