Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-03-15

filled with the choicest eXotics OF tropical
cline; while Immediately in the rear of the
building, bloomed an orchard of the most
luscious fruits of the country. At either
end of the house sparkled bright jet of
water which had its rise in neghboring
mountain. Cautiously approaching the
house, De Lacy took survey through the
half open lattice. Reader, let us take a
peep with him. and see what il is that so
enchains his attention.
Within that room, are four persons; the
first of which is an old and venerable man,
whose slvery hair hangs in thin, Tank locks
down on his shoulder, and whose bowed
form and lack lustre eyes, betokened an ex-
IRENE age, aud imbecility of mind. The
next was evidently an officer of some rank
in the Mexican service. His age might be
thirty lie was dressed in green velvet, gau-
Oily sashed, and embroidered with gold and
silver fitting tightly to symmetrical form
A pair Of Handsomely amounted pistols, and
broad, sharp dagger stuck in his belt, while
Turkish scimetar swung by his side
Next to him sat a stout, portly man, eyid-
emily companion of his, asd armed in a
similar manner On sofa, fronting the
window, sat young and most beautiful
girl. She could scarcely have passed her
seventeenth summer, vet her form exhibited
that rounded aud voluptuous iullness, and
that perfection of model, which we see in
the fairest of Ewes daughters, at a little
more advanced age, in a colder cline. Her
face was perfect oval; her nose Grecian !;
her lips moist, plump and rich eyes large,
black and lustrous. Her complexion was
extremely fair, which set off to the greatest
advantage, the masses of black and glossy
curls, that floated luxuriantly round her ell
egantly turned throat and neck When she
spoke, the sound aoated on the ear like the
soft breathlngs of flute, and disclosed two
rows of the most pearly teeth. | need not
say that this seraphic being enchained De
Lacy's whole attention.
Senorita," said the first officer, whom
we shall call Don Antonio de Miranda, a
colonel of Hussars in the Mexican army,
81 hope we shall soon have the happiness
of delivering you from the prosecutions of
the Northern Barbarians, as General Urea,
in connection with others, is rapidly colec-
ting force, which we hope will be suili-
cient to crush Taylor and his myrmdons."
Senor," replied the lady, 81 do most
cert7iny wish to see my native country re-
leved from the presence of foreign foe !;
but as regards their barbarites, no instance
of the kind have come within my know-
edge, not sanctioned by the usages of war.
| have met the North Americans several
times, and have ever been treated by them
with the most distinguished politeness and
in fact, owe my very life to the bravery and
! Galinntry Of one of their officers. who saved
me from drowning in mountain torrent,
at the risk of his own life"
"Ha" exclaimed the Colonel, I" so then
| suppose it is to this valorous ravisher and
murderer of defenceess women aud child.
rem, owe the GOODNESS and indifference
with which you regard my suit Methinks
that almost any of the fair daughters o
Mexico might be proud to mate herself with
Don Antonio de Miranda"
"Colonel Miranda, it behooves me not tc
listen to such language as this; so, sir, you
will excuse me if retire" Saying which
she rose from the sofa, her fine eyes flashing
with scorn and Indignation.
Stay, lady ; | beg your pardon if have
offended YOU" said Don Antonio altho
one might be excused for some show of fee
ling, when he finds himself supplanted in
the favor Of Mexican lady, by one of the
mortal enemies of her country. But | fiat
ter myself we shall soon tame these haugh
ty barbarans, and among them, doubtless
this very gallant and brave murderer ant
assassin"
"Favor, sir p' said the girl, " have We
to learn that Colonel de Miranda ever pos
sessed any favor from me, more than any
other visitors at our house; and as regard
no nj nctS Of ,pb
tain de Lacy is incapable, believe me, sir
of committing such, even in imagination
No, sir; you see things, methinks, with
distorted vision"
" Has it indeed gone so far them Sill
girl, you shall now, in your turn, becom
the supplant P'- Saying which, he seizet
her in his arms, and held her while his com
rade proceeded to bind her hands and stiff
} her cries.
The poor old man, 1.-THE latent spark @
: life reused to action by the indignity oliere
to his beloved grandchild, came to her res
cue; and raising his crutch high over hi
head, aimed violent blow at the head G
Don Antonio, who avoided the descendin.
stroke, whilst the old man, carried away b
: the violence of his own effort, fell prom
upon the floor, where he lay, perfectly in
capable of assisting himself; but at thi
juncture, a loud report rang through tn
apartment, and Captain Valdes-for sue
was the name of Miranda's companion
fell with ballet through his brain aud i
an instant after, Don Antonio himself wa
speeding through the back door, and int
the orchard, whence escape was easy to him
he being well acquainted with the variou
, intricacles and windings of the paths.
; "Carlos carrissimo! ' exclaimed the beau
5 tiful creature, as she threw herself into tn
arms of De Lacy, who just then entered tn
| front door.
Just in time again, dear Lucia" sal
S he, as he pressed her fondly to his heart.
: "Ci carrissimo! | owe thee more than
> can ever repay. But tell me dearest, wht
i kind Providence sent thee here SO oppo
u timely, at this time, to my rescue ?"
y First, Lucia, let me remove this 70,
corpse, and raise your grandfather from I'll
: foor," he replied aud having suited III
g action to the word, he soon explained to hi
d the reason of his visit to that part of ii
country, and the fact of his being encamI
= ed SO close to the house; that he had con
e up TO spend the evening with her, when h
a atta AZ.