The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-11-17

DtlTOlntu. HCD Cdiilc luC Oulll AUTUMN,
followed by winter of uncommon Sc
verify. Our dear Annie, while on a
night visit to dying friend, was expos
cd to a sudden and fearful storm-took
cold--ah, does not my reader anticipate
the mournful consequence Her moth
or and elder sisters had died of consump-
tion, and soon, very soon, the seal of
death was on her blue-vcined brow, and
the very voice of the grave sounding iii
the hollow cough which shook her fra
gle frame. We knew that she must die.
and she, unlike many consumptives. knew
it also; yet she was strangely averse to
acquainting her absent lover with the
fearful truth She wrote TO him that
she had been W-was still suffering
from debility but that be must not be
troubled about it, nor be painfully sur
priscd by her changed appearance, when
he should return in the spring Not one
word of the dread, last parting before
thcm-of the grdre, which might
l"Rival the bridegroom, and take from his side
To rcposc in its bosom, his beautiful BRIDE
At length May came round again and
with it returned William Gordon, the
Young clergyman. He was bowed to
the earth by the great and unlookedfor
aflliction which awaited him-yct meek
ly drank he the bitter cup, for his God
had mingled it.
Sweet Annie was passing rapidly from
earth-growing more and more fragile
in form, and angelic in spirit day by day,
and poor Willa became intensely de-
sirous that their union might take place.
Annic's friends readily assented, but she,
to our surprise. firmly refused to grant
the mouruful request of her broken hear
ted lover
One evening he was sitting alone by
her side, as she was half reclining on
couch the hectic flush was more start
lingly bright than usual on her check
for she had suffered much that day. and
as he thought how very near might be
the dark wing of Gods dread angel. he
took her wasted hand in his, and said
20, my Annie, let me call you teye
before you leave me ou would not
be so utterly lost to me then, Tor would
know YOU bearing that sacred name IN
Heaven Refuse me not, love
~, William. W ililam, urge me no
longer" she replied, 1t must not, cannot
De- am the Driue Oh heaven you
must not DC my husDahu' anu near me-
dearest you must no loHSer DC near nc
your love is precious, put II Is earthly,
and 1t comes as cloud between me ana
the giories OF that upper world to winch
hasten. Your voice, my own, Is sweet
er to me than the hymns OF the angels
heard IN my dreams OF Heaven we
must part "0ic,-ior every hour renders
you oearer, anu now can leave you al
last F.
with heroic and martyr-hke esImness
spoke the mistaken glrl.mistaEen, ior
a pure love, for one worthy, is the holi-
est ana sweetest preparation Tor HIS
presence who rs love"
william Gordon saw her frmness. and
That she was weak and trembling from
the excitement OF the scene, and
"In close heart shutting up his PAIN"
resolved to yield instant and uncom-
planning obedience to her wishes He
rose up calmly, and imprinting on
her forehead kiss Of mingled love and
anguish, turned. aud was gone Annie
-. buried her face in her thin white hands.
. and remained in an agony of prayer and
/ grief Then came vague regrets for the
;. course she had taken, and painful doubts
:. of the necessity of the sacrifice she had
+ made Presently she heard wel-known
stcp-Wiliam had returned His calm
= L. l. I
= ed imploringly-
IF must leave you to die alone. An.
:. ME. let me fold YOU once more to my
/ heart before | go-it will give me
! strength"
! lie knclt on one knee beside her
:. reached forth his arms. and sobbinr like
,e Il child. she leaned upon his bosom.
- No word was spoken by that pair, lov.
. ing and faithful unto death. while the
. flood of sorrow swept over their hushed
i spirits,as the fountains of the souls great
" deeps were broken up. Yes. silent. but
not fearless. knelt William Gordon.
his lips pressed against the dear hoad
!, which lay upon his heart. At last he
e raised his eyes heavenward. and those
. lips moved in whispered prayer-he un.
wound his arms and would have risen
but Annie moved not-she vas cliuaina
IN his hea1l A smile of Joy irradiated
J his mournful face. and his arms once a
gain enfolded her She looked up and
murmurcd with something of her old
playful tenderness, more touching than
the widest burst of grief
e, "Are you not stronger, dear William