Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-07-05

son expiring OF atrophy, or from extreme enact
alton"
"lndeed and SO sudden, to !"
ayes. ] am glad you are come, althoug
your professional services will not, as it seems
be required-a neIghboring attorney having per
formed the necessary duty--something, l be
lieve, respecting the will of the dying lady. W.
will speak further together by and by. In tn
meantime, it will do neither of us any harm tt
witness the closing scene of the life of Mary
Rawdon, whom you and |, twenty years ago
worshipped as one of the gentlest and most beau
tiful beings with whom the Creator ever grace
his universe. 1t will be a peaceful parting
Come"
Just as, with noiseless steps, we entered tn,
silent death chamber, the last rays of the setting
sun were falling upon the figure of Ellen Arm
ihge-who knelt in speeches. agony by thu
bedside of her expiring parent-and family light
ed up the pale, emaciated, sunkeH features Of
the so lately brilliant, courted Mrs. Armtage
But for the inefaceble splendor of her deep bluC
eyes, should scarcely have recognized her.
Standing in the shadow, as thrown by the heavy
bed drapery, we gazed and listened unperceiv
ed.
ELLEN" murmured the dying lady, "come
nearer to me. 1t is growing dark, and canno
see you plainly. Now then, read to me, begin.
ming the verse you finished as good DR.. Curteis
came in. Aye" she family whispered, sit i:
thus, Ellen, thy hand clasped within mine, anG
with the words of the holy book sounding from
by dear lips, that would pass away"
Ellen, interrupted only by her binding tears,
making sad stops, complied, Twilight stole on,
and threw its shadow over the solemn scene,
deepening its holiness of sorrow. Night came
with all her train, and the silver radiance kis-
sed into ethereal beauty the pale face of the
weeping girl, still pursuing her sad and sacred
task. We hestated to disturb, by the slightest
movement, the repose of death bed, over which
belief and hope, those potent ministers, shed
light and calm!
AT length, DR.. Curteis advanced gently toward
the bed, and taking the daughters hand, said, in
a low voice, Had you not better retire, my deal
young lady, few minutes ?" She understood
him, and rising from her knees, threw herself in
an ecstacy of grief upon the corpse, f, ON which
the spirit had just passed away. Assistance
was summoned, and the sobbing girl was borne
from the chamber.
! descended, full Of emotion, to the library
where DIR. Curteis promised shortly to Join me
Noiselessly entering the room, came suddenly
upon the housekeeper and tall young man
standing, with their backs towards me, in the re
cess of one of the windows, and partly shroud
ed by the heavy curtains. They were evidently
in earnest conference, and several words, the
significance of which did not at the moment
strike me, reached my ears before they perceiv
ed my approach. The instant they did so, they
turned hastily around and eyed me with an ex,
preston of Hurried alarm, which at the time sur
prised me not little. "All is over, Mrs Bour
don" SAID finding she did not speak " ant
your presence is probably needed by Miss Arm
tage." A flash of intelligence, as spoke, pas.
sed between the pair but whether indicative o.
grief or Joy, so momentary was the glance, thai
| should have been puzzled to determine. The
housekeeper Immediately left the room, keeping
her eyes, as she passed, fixed upon me, with the
same nervous, apprehensive look, which had be-
fore irritated the doctor. The young man fol-
lowed more slowly. He was a tall, and rathel
handsome youth, apparently about one or two
andtwenty years of age. His hair was black
as jet, and his dark eyes were of singular bril-
liancy; but the expression | thought was hard
ly refined or Intellectual one His resemblance
to Mrs. Bourbon, whose son indeed he was, wa,
very striking. He bowed slightly, but courte.
ously, as to an equal, as he closed the door, anC
was left to the undisturbed enjoyment of my
own reflections, which, i'll. defined and indistinc
as they were, were anything but pleasant com.
pany. My reverie was at length interrupted b,
the entrance of the doctor, with the announce
mcnt that the carriage was in waiting to conye,
us to town.
We had journeyed several miles on our return
before word was spoken by either of us. M,
companion was apparently more painfully pre-
occupied than myself He was, however, tn,
first to break silence. "The emaciated corps,
we have just left little resembles the gay beau.
tful girl Tor whose smiles you and were ono
disposed to shoot each other" The doctor
voice trembled with emotion, and his face, per
ceived, was pale as marble.
MRS. Armitage" remarked, olives agai
IN her daughter"
ayes, her very imlg3. Do you KNOW" con
nued he, with rapid energy, | suspect Mar
Rawdon---Mrs. Armitage, | would say--has bee
foully, treacherously dealt withr'
started with Amusement and yet the an
nouncement but embodied and gave color to m,
own lll-defned and shadowy suspicious.
"Good heavens! How2 By whom ?"
"Unless am greatly mistaken, she has bee
poisoned by an adept in the use of such des
tructve agents"
Mrs. Bourbon ~
"No, by her son. At least my suspicion
point that way. But in order that you shou
understand the grounds upon which my conjec
ures are principally founded, must enter into
short explanation. Mrs. Bourbon, a woman
Spanish extraction, and who formerly occupit
a much higher position than she now does, HI
lived with Mrs. Almitago from the period of h
husbands death, now about sixteen years ag
Mrs. Bourbon has a son, tall good looking ft
low enough, whom you may have SEEM"
"He was with his mother in the library as
entered after leaving YOU"
"Ah well, hem! This boy, in his mother
opnon-but that perhaps is somewhat excus
ble-exhbited early indications Of being born