Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-22

looked painfully surprised, and said that she
had not been at Ladyside.
Agnes suddenly sat down, without speaking
one word, on the stone seat beside the door, and
Michael, supporting her, said, "Jacob, our
child left us this morning at six o'clock, and it
Is now near ten at night. God is merciful, but,
perhaps, Lucy is dead" Jacob Mayne was an
ordinary, commonplace, and rather ignorant
man, but his heart bounded within him ct these
words, and by this time his own children, were
standing about the door. ayes, Mr.. Forester
-God is merciful-and your daughter, let US
trust, ls not dead. Let us trust that she yet
liyeth-and without delay let lis go to seek the
child" Michael trembled from head to. foot,
and his voice was gone; he lifted up his eyes to
heaven, but it seemed not as if he saw either
the moon or the stars. "Run over to Raeshorn,
some Of you," said Jacob, "and tell what has
happened. Do you, Isaac, my good boy, cross
over to a. the towns on Inverlethen side, and
Oh Mr.. Forester-Mr. Forester, dnna let the
trial overcome ye sac sarly,"-for Michael was
leaning against the wall Of the house, and the
strong man was helpless as child. keep up
your heart, my dearest son." said Isobel, with
voice all unlike her usual, "keep your heart
for the blessed BARN is beyond doubt somewhere
in the keeping of the great God, yea, without
hair of her head being touched, A hundred
things may have happened her, and death net
among the number-Oh! no-no--surely not
death-that would indeed be dreadful Judge
ment" And aunt Isobel, oppressed by the pow
er of that word, now needed the very comfort
that she had in vain tried to bestow.
Within two hours hundred people were
traversng the hills in all directions, even to a
distance which 1t seemed most unlikely poor
Lucy could have reached The shepards and
their dogs all night through searched every nook
every stony and rocky pace-every little shaw
every place of tall heathet-every crcvice
that could conceal anything alive or dead, but
no Lucy was there. Her mother, who for
while seemed inspired with supernatural strength
had joined in the search, and with quaking
heart looked into every brake, or stopped and
listened to every shout and halloo reverberating
among the hills, if she could seize on some tone
of recognition or discovery. But the moon sank
and then all the stars, whose increased bright
ness had for short time supplied her place, oil
faded away, and then came the grey dawn of
morn, and then the clear brightness of the day,
and still Michael and Agnes were childless.
A: last man who had left the search and
gone in direction towards the high road, came
running with something i'll his arms towards the
place where Michael and others were standing
beside Agnes, who lay apparently exhausted
almost to dying on the sward. He approached
and Michael saw that he carried Lucys bonnet
clothes, and plaid. 1t was impossible not to see
some spots of blood upon the frl that the chile
had worn round her neck. " Murdered, murder
ed" was the one word whispered all around.
IsobeI took the clothes, and narrowly inspect
ing them with eye and hand, said with fervan
voice, that was heard even in Michaels despair
"No-Lucy is yet among the living. There are
no marks of violence on the garments Of the in
nocent-no murderer's hand has been here
These blood-spots have been put there to de
ceive. Besides, would not the murderer have
carried off these things? For what else would
he haze murdered her? But oh foolish des
pair! What speak of? For wicked as the
world is--ay desperately wicked-there is mo-
on all the surface of the wide earth, hand that
would murder our child! Is it not plain as the
sun in heaven, that Lucy has been stolen by
some wretched gipsey beggar, and that, before
the sun has set, she will be saying her prayers
in her fathers house, with all of us upon oul
knees beside her, or with our faces PROSTATE up
on the hoor?"
Agnes opened her eyes, and beheld Lucy's
bonnet and plaid lying close beside her, and
then silent crowd. Her senses all at once re-
turned to her, and she rose up" Ay, sure
enough drowned, drowned, drowned but
where have you laid her? Let me see our Lu'
CIV. Michael for in my sleep have already seen
her laid out for burial" The crowd quietly dis
persed, and horse and foot began to scour the
country Some took the high roads, and Others
all the by-paths, and many the trackless hills
Now that they were in some measure relieved
from the horrible belief that the child was dead
the worst other calamity seemed nothing, iol
Hope brought her back to their arms. Agnes
had been able to walk to Bracken Braes, and
Michael and Isobel sat by her bedside Lucy's
empty little crib was Just as the child had left i
in the morning before, neatly made up with hel
own hands, and her small red Bible was lying
on her pillow.
ooh! my husband-this is being indeed kline
to your Agnes, Tor much it must have cost vol
to stay here but had you left me, my silly hear
must have ceas d to beat altogether, for it will
not lie still even now that | am consigned tt
the will of God" Michael put his hand TO hi
wlfe's bosom, and felt her heart beating as if
were knell. Then ever and anon tears cam
gushing, for all her strength was gone, and sh
Law at the mercy of rustic of a leaf or shad
ow across the window. And thus hour atte
hour passed on till it was again twilight.
al hear footsteps coming up the brae," sai'
Agnes, who had for sometime appeared to b'
slumbeling and in few moments the voice
Jacob Mayne was heard at the outer-door.
was no time for ceremony, and he advanced int
the room where the family had been during al
that trying and endless day. Jacob wore sol
emn expression of countenance, and it seemed
from his looks, to bring them no comfort Mi
chael stood up between him and his wife, ant
( looked into his heart. Something there seeme
Ia be in his face that was not miserable. II h
has heard nothing of my child, thought Michae
the man must care but little for his own fresidt
: /" Oh speak, speak," said Agnes; "yet wh
need you speak? All this has been vain be
lief, and Lucy Is in heaven" Something like