Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-05-18

on the tall form which darkened the door
wny-how pale was the strikingy handsome
face IA step farther aud Emma sprnng
| into the outstrctched arms. With wild
sobs she clung around his neck Cecil,
weak from his previous illness, and over
come with the excitement Of the meeting,
staggered 10 a seat where, supporting her
in his arms, be bent over her with the fond
look of other days
| Mrs Eastan leh them alone and il was
well, for oh, there was so much TO say. In
that hour they read more Of each others
hearts than many married couples have read
in a lifetime. How bitterly Emma chided
herself for causing that wan aud pallid
brow how ienderly Cecil folded his wife
TO his heart, resolving that she should new
err know cause for grief again how filed
were both their hearts with happiness that
their troubles were so soon over
Again and again she questioned him
He told her Of all the agony he endured
when he found that she had gone-of his
severe illness, Of the forethought Of her pa
rents, who had Immediately discharged the
servants before they had time even TO sus-
pect the absence OF their mistress. The
physician and an old nurse, who had been
for years in their family, had been their
only confidanls, aud so well had everything
been managed iha, not one out Of their i'm
mediate family suspected her absence.
"But how, Cecil, came you 10 think Of
finding me here T.
"Can you not imagine, my dearestF'
"No, have tried in vain 10 think"
During my illness a letter was sent TO
me, which not having my place OF business
upon, was advertised before received il.
When opened il found il from an old
college friend-"
"Ah, Cecil aud you know the whole p
interrupted Emma
eyes, darliug. | know all-all the wretch
edness which my poor little vile must have
endured 5efore she could have yielded to
such dreadful temptation but let MS bury
the past, and live for the future for this
bitter lesson will not be useless one. My
friend wrote me the particulars Of his meet
ing with you, and when, where, &C., and
asked If you were a near relative. /, with
your father, Immediately made arrangements
to travel--we left home the next day.
and your parents are now awaiting US in
New York, where we shall Join them. and
spend the Summer together in travelling
Shall we not be happy, Emmar
81 do not deserve such happiness" she
replied, her dark eyes gIitering with tears.
"And /, Emma, feel as though hardly
deserved you for not understanding you
better; oh, how much misery would have
been saved both, had we made each others
dispositions cur study. But it is too late
for regret we have at length learned how
dear we are TO each other, and am thank
fol we have learned before il was too late"
They made immediate preparations to
leave on the ensuing day.
Mrs Easton reloiccd in her young friends
happiness, and felt greatly relieved when
she found that owing to her parents, fore
thought, she would not have the causes Of
modification which she had anticipated
On the ensuing morning they parted. and
Emma's secret remained safe with Mrs Eas
ton.
Her meeting with her parents was extreme.
y touching. They wept over her, Gliding
her through their tears, but Emma was so
changed, so humble, 80 penitent for the past
that their words of censure changed TO ex-
pressions OF the deepest and the purest love
They forgot the torturing anxiety of the past
four weeks in-the blissful meeting.
In conversing with them, Emma realized
for the first time the suspicious nature Of
! the step she had taken-how narrowly she
had escaped the sneers Of a world ever ready
TO suspeci-and she felt renewed thankful
ness for,ilie misery she had escaped.
Their Summer was spent in journeying
through the most beautiful portions Of the
North, and late in the season they returned
Lilo their elegant house in town.
e.. l.. a.. A..
see her. among the first. Mrs Howell.
"Weil. Emma" she said, after their salu-
talions were over, "do you not feel repaid
for devoling yourself so constantly to your
husband during his illnessi"
81 was not half as devoted as I ought TO
have been, Anna." replied Emma, sadly.
II am sure you could not have been
more so-eyery day called, l received the
everlasting reply. Mr. Dudley is very III.
and Mrs Dudley sees no one
"rhat was all very true; but cannot
bear TO think Of his illness, we have been SO
happy since"
"Ah, know that very WELL saw the
Pelhams the other day--ihey met you at
Niagara, and they said they should have
, taken you for brids and groom. you were so
devoted TO each other"
Mr. Dudley entered
"Mrs Howell, am delighted TO see you
r Emma has talked great deal about you
/ during her absence, and am glad to find
that she has friend who gives her such
excellent adYice--I am sure she profted BY
il, and perhaps now will be able TO give
, YOU some lessons in return-is il not so
Emmaq"
She smiled her reply, aud Mrs Howell
looked equally delighted. for i was the tirsl
\ really cordial greeting she had ever received
i from Empias husband.
"Truy he is changed" she thought, al
!. she lefl them that morning. 81 do MOI
o know happier couple in The city, and ye
a before his illness thought they would moi
i be able 10 live together another year"
e A CniLD's ANswER.--A father once sale
IS playfully to his little daughter, child hv'