Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-08-21

| otio
cottages that constituted the village.
How tranquil, how composing. was the picture
with the sun shedding its last rays on the humble
windows in blaze of glory and vet she who
mad been blessing to every hearth. the minister
of Kindness hope, charity to all. the friend and
protectress of the poor, the comforter of the af.
: iilcted, was now only heap of dust? Well
might the preacher excaim. '.al is vanitv.,,
Inc meadow was reached and she fingered on
me loved and pleasant footpath, with The fresh
oaimy air tanning her pale check, and making
tears tremble in her eyes. How sad how b;t.a.
was the reflection that she was there FOR tbe u #
time--that henceforward she could visit it only in
nor dreams. Every object around, even to the
| low style where she had often lcitered to rast
claimed fond and rrotracted glance. as if they,
Were not impressed too deeply on her memory.
her heart, her feelings, and too inseparatev as
forgotten! " 'o
!. Full OF these impressions, Millicent returned
home, but little refreshed by her walk. A post
chase was at the door, and meeting no one in the
hall, she proceeded, in fever of expectation. TO
was Sir Hildred '"'
The housekeeper. Mrs Reeve. the only servant
who had not enved her elevation. now in a1ver-
si'y, treated her with more than usual Difference.
so true 1t IS, that it is the humber orders of So
cety, with their rugged and untaught feelings
that lend misfortune the readiest sympathy.
"Ah, Miss Mlly, were so glad YOU went for
a little ramble," said the old dame, "and you do
look all the better for it. my dear lady. It's no
use mopin', and that, when it's past and gone
you knows and. as the vicar says. we must all 90
when our time comes. So do sit down. Miss
Nlllly, and III get you nice cup of tea, and
make yourself little comfortable-if it's only
for her sake, as what she'd like" And the good
woman wiped the corder Of her eye
Thank yon, Mrs Reeve, but / would rather
not have anything just now," replied Millicent.
saw carriage at the door. and thought per-
haps Sir Hildred Vavasour had arrived"
"Oh no, miss. 1t be gentleman as has come
with the vicar, and they be gone round the house
| What can they be after.''
As she spoke, Mr. Anderson entered, accompa
med by short, spare man. with complexion
like parchment, and dull lead eve. which flew
round the room like bullet
'Ah, Miss Kennel, was just wishing you had
| come home," said Mr. Anderson. "Miss Kennel
| is the young lady was speaking of, Mr. Graves
| Miss Renncl.''
The lead eye sank to Millicents heart
| MIR Graves is Sir Hildred's solicitor, Miss Rem
! nel," continued Mr. Anderson s.and has come TO
| seal up all the effects. Sir Hildred will not be
here himself till after the funeral at least un-
dersood You so, sir.''
| ''You are quite right; sir,'' answered Mr. Graves
/ ''Sir lllldred thinks he should do wrong in at
tending the funeral, as it seems the deceased lady,
! during the greater part of her life, was in con-
slant enmity with him.
This did not strike Mr. Anderson as a very
sound reason for perpetrating enmity longer. even
| IN the grave; but Sir Hildred, besides being rich
possessed the presentation to numerous rich bene-
! fees, and Mr. Anderson resisted the temptation Of
texes and precepts, turning the conversation on
! other subjects.
''I may assure Miss Kennel. sir. | presume.
that nothing belonging to her will be interfered
| with - he said
"Certany.' replied Graves. ':Unler the cir
cumstances yol mention. such articles AS are ac-
tually hers. will be left ont of the schedule: but
! as everything else mast be inyentorcd. | hope
Miss Kennel will put all her things together, in
order 10 prevent any coafuson.''
Millicent promised 10 do so; and retiring to
her own chamber, accomplished that object be-
/ ing then ready TO qnit the house at moments
notice
CHAPTER NNNVIII.
A drIzzin- rain was falling. when the remains
! of Mrs Grantlev were placed in the hearsa The
/ few persons invited by Mr. Anderson 10 attend
| from among the neighboring gentry. occupied
/ only single coach; but train of private car
/ rages followed. showing the high respect and
| esteem in which the deceased lady was held by
! numerous others.
On reaching The road, the mournful cortege
was Joined by the tenants. and such Of the village
! population, of either sex. were not at their
/ daily labor. The school children were assem-
bled at the chlrch-gatc; and falling into the pros
cess on, walked after the mourners into the Sa-
cred ediice.
And one there was. in an obscure corner of the
! little gallery. screened from view by a curtain
who overlooked all. None had seen her enter.
and consequently her presence was unsupported
| but who there could mourn for the last friend as
she could? She tried to Join in the service. but
both voice and heart, paralyzed by grief, and pos
sessed wholly by the one terrible idea, refused.
Yet her ear caught family the sublime words of
the funeral Psalm. read by Mr. Anderson in deep
| and solemn tones
'.L0rd. let me know mine end, Gnd the number Of
| my days: that Imay be certified how long Ihare TO
! lire.
''Bchoh, Hou hast mads my days as 1t rere Il
span long: and mine age is nothing IN res
pect of there and rerily erery man Hring is alto
| gether ranlty
| STINT no,r, Lord, tchat is my hope; truly my
| hope is eren in thee -
At length the door of the vault was opened. and
the corpse was borne, amidst breathless silence.
to its last resting place. Mllicent could watch
no longer, and buryng her face in her hands, she
| wept unreStralncd.
twas some time before she looked up. Then,
glancing around, she perceived that the church
was empty. and she hurried down to the nave,
hoping to get ont unobserved by Mr. Alderson.-
But on reaching it, she found the door locked.
Could it be that Mr. Anderson and the clerk had
lett tnP cnNfCh! one new tb Tue NeStiE anu lSG
fears were confirmed. IT was closed.
The prospect of remaining al! night in the
church, after scene so narrowing TO her feel
incs, for moment confounded hers but endaed
with strong natural courage, developed by the
bitter and cruel experiences of her sad childhood.
she quickly rallied repclling the superstitious
terrors which the growing shades of evening
gathered thickly around In vain, however, she
knocked against the massive panels of the door,
hoping to attract the attention Of any chance lo
terer in vain paced the gloomy aises, measnr
ing, with eager eye, the mu!lioned panes of the
old Gothic windows: night and darkness came
on and she abandoned all hope of escape.
She sat down on the steps of the Communion,
as if no evil or malign influence, however potent,
could approach so hallowed a spot. Yet dread
thoughts of her situatlon--of the green graves
without, and the Wondering dead beneath--of
wandering angels, invisible spirits, and myste-
rous Intelligences, which must hover in adora-
ton around the Sacred Tabe--sti made her
fearful and apprehensive. She thought of the
two cherubims of the Hebrew ark, with their
gilded wings extended above, till, in a nervous
panic, she looked up trembling, almost expecting
TO behold their colossal figures. Then her
shrinking eyes, restless as her fears, glanced tim
idly at the pulpit, which ioomed through deep
! shadows in dim and imperfect outne-like some
allegory of ancient Egypt, shrouded in the midst
of time. And by-and-by, the iron voice of tie
4. 4. ILL