The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-17
CHAPTER V.

Day after day passed, ana the light OF nope
glimmered fainter and fainter in the heart of
Sy bill Moody. The report of Frederic Vanes
engagement to the lovely English lady became
current among the townspeOple, and, though she
seldom trusted her lips with his name, she could
not fail to hear it, Gradually came the convic-
ton that she forgotten, and with it that hour
of whitening angush--that bitter struggle when
the young heart finds, for the first time, that its
cherished idols are false-its love and trust dis
honored Ii was n fearful trial-that feeling of
utter desolation that settled upon her heart, con-
geaiing for n time its very lfeblood. She met
it alone and alone she sought for strength TO bear
it. Though such struggles cannot be, and leave
no trace upon the outward frame, her old father,
more than usually occupied with the troubles
of his society, happily failed to notice the grow
ing pallOr of her cheek or the unusual lassitude
of her movements. They did not however, es-
cape the watchful eye of Aunt Menta but she,
kind soul while she urged, nay, forced upon the
maiden double doses Of her sirups, could not,
when she looked upon his bowed form and care
worn face, bear to add to his anxiety.
One evening, as the old man turned with a
heavier step than usual toward his study door,
he suddenly paused and gazed for some seconds
anxiously on he face of his child
"Sybiln he said at length, s. wish to speak
with you in my study Will you come ~
to the maidens cheek, ~ with mental prayer
for strength to conceal her suffering, she arose
and followed him.
He took his armchair by the table, and leaning
his head on his hands, sat for some time as if oc-
cuped in silent prayer, while his daughter drew
"a low seat to his side and, LAYING her head on his
his knee as in the days Of childhood, awaited his
words.
"Sybil,n he said, at length, passing his hand
fondly over her hair, "thy father hath grown old
and forgetful In the trials and troubles with
which it hath pleased Him to surround my age
as we'll as my youth, | have forgotten that my
child hath grown to womanhood This day, elder
Hale hath reminded me of it, by asking thee in
marriage for his son. He is deserving youth,
Of family rich in temporal blessings, but richer
still, trust, in the heavenly inheritance that
awaiteth the servants Of the Lord. What answer
shall make to this young man, my child ?"
ooh, send me not from you Let me live and
die with you, my father n~cred the poor girl,
burying her face in her hands upon his knee,
while every nerve in her fair neck twtched con-
vulsvely in her effort to suppress her emotion.
&C have no wish TO send you from me, Sybil
but sore trouble Imprisonment, and perhaps death,
await me- Listen, my child. This day the Gov
ernor hath notified me that he, together with Ma
son and his follower Hinckes, will partake of the
Lords Supper with us next Sabbath, and, more
over he requireth me to administer IL according
TO the forms of the Established Church, with lit
urgy and vain repetitieps. This, of course, |
have wholly refused TO do therefore he hath the
pretext against me which he hath long sought
Before another day he may drag me to prison,
and though know that He will not try me be-
You'd my strength, yet the thought of thee, my
daughter and for the first time since he COM
menced speaking, the old mans voice grew trem-
ulous, homeless and exposed to the snares Of
the spoiler, weakeneth my hearth
"Father," said Syhil, raising her head from
his knee, and speaking very earnestly, could you
be happier separated from your child ?"
For moment there was struggle in the old
mans heart, and the rigid lines about his mouth
moved convulsively as he exclaimed, "Tempt me
not, my child oh, tempt me not !"
"Then we part no more. This Governor is
human he will not forbid the child 10 share her
fathers fate. Let that be what il may, will not
shrink, If so be we may meet IL together But
speak no moren and the enthusiasm which for a
MON Mt had lit up her pale face, We place to an
expression of bitter suffering sob, speak no
more, | entreat you, OF this marriage "
The old man bent over her and for some mo-
ments his withered chez krested upon her head,
ere he trusted his voice in reply. At length, he
said, brokenly, IL was not thy love nor thy devo-
ton that doubted, but he added, slowly, "thou
art fair, my Sybil thou hast thy mothers come
ly face, and thought II my death, and the pow
er of our enemies Yet surely, here Is one
among them, who forgctful as he seems, would
not see thee wronged. | speak Of Frederick
Vanen
The quick, convulsive shudder that passed
through the girls frame, shook even him, and for
some moments he sat in bewldered surprise.
Then the truth seemed suddenly to dawn upon
him. He raised her head in his trembling old
hands, and gazed on her pale face for some mo-
ments, while his own grew tremulous with emo
ton. My child, my poor child! - he murmnr-
ed. That mournful tone was too much for sYbil.
The self-command that she had struggled TO
maintain gave way, and, hiding her face in his
bosom, she burst into tears
any child my poor, motherless child,p he
murmured again, as be drew her closely to bis
heart. "And so ! cherished viper under my
roof Blind mole that was, not TO foresee this
So true and noble as he seemed. Heaven knows