Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-04-11


for my apparent ncvity in not keeping the,
enga cement formed with YOU last evening"
, said Gad>bv, with evident embarrassment.
Il was not necessary, Mr.. Gadsby, TO fake
/, so much trouble for thar which is 81 90 lI'te
consequence answered Lucia, coIdly.
Pardon me, Miss Laurence, nothing but
but imperative business
'prav do not exhaust your invention, sir,
for excuses.'
Gadsby's c,rnsoned.
Let me hone nothing serons prevented
your accompanying the party, Miss Laurence,
he at length said.
To me more honest 'han you, had no in .
clination 10 90, and therefore d'd not
Il But last evening
q, last evening | arranged the excursion
merely for my friends, not feeling, of course.
4 Obliged to 90 with them was the answer.
Then certainly canrot regret so much the
cause which prevented my joining them since
the only attraction would have b"en wanting
This implied compliment was noticed only
by naughty bow.
Cold unyelding beauty = thought Gads-
by, carelessly turning over the leaves Of an an
nua.
False, idle ha'tprerr tho ught Lucia, pull
ing her bouquet to pieces.
Those are beautiful howors, Mics Laurence
what have they done to merit such treatmen.
at your fair hands! said Mr.. Gadshy glad ot
the opportunity 10 Say something for he felt
himself mpletely embarrassed by her repuIsve
manners. 'You treat them with as little favor
as you do your admirers, and throw them from
you with as little mercy. Fair, beautiful
fowers!' y he added gathering rp the leaves Of
a rose from the rich carpet, fit emblpms they
are in their fragility of woman's short-Iived
faith and truth
"A lesson upon faith and truth from Mr..
Gadsby is paradox well worth listening to =
retored Lucia, with a sarcastic smile.
Why so-do you then believe me destitute
Of them ?
= have never doompd the nboc, worthy of
reflection vet. if mistake not, the world does
not burthen you with sncn auributes'
And the world is probably right, Miss Lau-
renee answered Gadsby piqued and angry.
He arose, and walked several times across the
room, then again paueng be fore her, ne said
in sottencd tone. And yet although her ac-
euantance has been but brief, / trust have
given you no reason TO pass such severe cen-
, sure upon me-
quick retUrt rose 10 the lips Of Lucia, but
Is she raised her eyes she met those of Gadsbv
fixed upon her with an expression such as she
could not we'll define, 30 strangely were re-
proach and tenderness blended. She was en-
barrassed, deep blush manted her face, and
the words were unspoken.
'She is not then. utterly heartless-that blush
bellies il" thought Gadsby. Say. Miss Lau-
renee, may not hope for more lenient judg-
fhent from vou than the word accords 2 he SAID
again addressing her
'Wha, ails me? Why do ,remb'e TINS Z
Am I really to be the dnpe of this decclver?
No! let me be true 10 myself mentally ex-
claimed Lncia and then, with a look which
instantly chilleg the warm impulse in the heart
OF Gadsbp, she said,
My opinion can be of very little consequence
to Mr. Gadsby'
'True Miss Laurence. J wish a good NOR
ming and proudly bowing himself out of the
room, Gadsby took leave.
Fool tina, ! am to blush before him who of
all men has the least power ever me. Il is well
know him, or even might be deceived bv
such looks as he Just now cast upon me . cried
Lucia, as the door closed after her yitlter.
1t was some werks after this ere Mr.. Gad.bv
so far mastered his pride as to call again upon
the disdanful Miss Laurence. 70 his great
regret he was then informed that she was III,
very III and for many days his inquiries were
all met by the same painful snswer. There is
nothing sooner breaks down the barrier of
feigned indifference than the illness of one
whom we are schooling ourselves to avoid and
thus, in tie heart of Gadsby. GOODNESS, d strust,
di-dain, yielded at once to the most painful so-
licirude and deep tenderness. This sudden re-
vuison quite overcame even the caution Of this
redonbtaoe coquet, so captions Of any aprear-
ance of surrenderlng the long boasel freedom
Of his heart and careless ot what "the lockers
on in Venice might say ne called daily to
make inquiries, and sent to the tair invalid the
most beautiful flowers as delicate memorials of
his sympathy, however he might once lave
named them as lit em5ems OF the fialtv of
womans vows
One morning early, Clarence Walton enter
ed the office OF GadSbv.
Good morning. Have Won heard from Miss
Laurence to-iay, Walton 2 was the first inqui-
ry.
Il am sorry To say she is not 80 welt
'ls it possible VINO toll! vou-tre You snre?'
said Gadsby, turning quite pale.
Yea am tod she is better Of tie old com
plaint but her friends think now that sle has
confirmed heart disease! answered Walton,
gravey.
Good God you don't say SO. Is i, incura-
ble-is there no hope = exclaimed q shy,
Staring from his seat.
Heart complaints are very dangerous in all
cases, b'leve,' replied Walton, turning his
Hedu 10 conCetl q rlnlIe, yet nope Miss l4qu~
renee is not lncurable indeed, | feel quite cun-
ident that if sne would hut cal in a physician
could recommend, she m ght soon he restored.
And wont she Have YOU snoken to her
friends 2 Where is he to be iouni- for not
moment should be lost it IS your du,v to insist
upon it ! cried Gsdsby, catching the am of
his friend who seemed p'ovokingly Indifferent.
III she will only consent to see him, shall
gladly name hlm to you--but why are yon so
much interested 70 he sure, common kindness
dictates sympathy for the Hines. of one 50
young and beautiful but why you should take
her sickness So much st heart, quite astonishes
me" said WALTON.
Then, Walton, let mo tell you that II is be.
cause love her; yes, love her more than my
hte : replied Gsdsby. i know she de,pises
me, for have appeared 10 her in false hgm,
for which may thank my own folly, and in gn-
ing my heart to her, have sealed my own
Walton respected the feelings of his friend at
this candid avowai, and checking the well