Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-03-31

o'td'neu 10 welcome their dangerous guest with
old fashioned hospitality. He soon became so
charmed with his visitor. that he invited him to
return, and the visitor gladly did go.
His almost forgotten admiration for Mary re-
Vlvcu IN iull tnrce the moment he saw her again.
lie soon fell desperately and seriously in love
with her. Mary's strong and gentle character
assumed great influence over his mercuria and
lmpeluous disposition. That she became deeply
attached to him was nothing wonderful she
could scarcely have helped it, even if he had
not snught to win her aft ctions.
In shot time. he made proposals of marriage
tor her TO her luther who willingly consented
feeling, II the truth must be told, very mnch fiat
tered at the prospect OF such a son-in-law.
Henry Pollrxien then wrote dutiful letter 10
his own ia her, telling him how much he was in
love, and how earnestly he desired permission to
follow MS inclinaiions Old Nj. PoIlexien had.
like many other fathers. set his heart upon his
sons making brilliant match and although,
after consulting the History OF Yorkshire"
where he found honorable mention made of the
ChambelIan family he could offer no objection
on the score Of birth; yet he thought his son
might do better He was too wise to make any
direct opposition on the contrary, he gave his
conditional consent. only stipuiatipg for time.
He required that twelve months should elupse
before the marriage took place, when his son
WOuIu he UitI nan 4 la n nd ~ ,ybttst
Mary wond be not quite nineteen. He wrote
paternal letters to Mary and polite espistes to
her father. He even applied at head quarters
for leave of absence of his son; whom he ilhme.
dlately summoned up to London, where his own
duties, us member of Parliament, would detan
him.
Under any circumstances, Captain Poexfen
would have been delighted with this arrange
ment bat, as it was, he would infinitely have
preferred beng al owed to marry Mary at once.
However, there was no help for It. Old Mr.. C..
himself, urged the duty of immediate obedience
to his fathers summons, and Mr. Pollexfen de
parted.
For many weeks his letters were as frequent
as the post would carry them. He was very
miserable under the separation and, much as
she loved him. Mary could not wish hun TO be
otherwise His regimen; was suddenly ordered
abroad the necessary hurry OF preparation, and
The orde. to JON his detachment at Canterbury
~thout delay, rendered it quite impossible for
Captain PoIlexien to see Mary before his de-
parture. lie wrote her tender farewell, sent
her his picture, and exhorled her to write fire.
quently, and never to forget him Tor all Instant
promising, Of course, everlasting constancy for
himself
There was lidle chance that Mary should for
ge, HIN. in that cd lonely house., without either
friends or neghbors. Besides the POSSIBILITY OF
her ceasng to love her aft ,nced husband never
occurred to her. With Captain Pollexten it was
different. Under no circumstances was his
character that which would bear absence un
changed and the distraction of foreign scenes
and the excitement of his profession, soon ban
shed the image OF Mary from his mind, Al
length he felt 1t great bore that he was epgag
to be married. The regiment remained sis
months absent, and he heartily hoped that sht
would have forgotten him.
Mary's father died shortly after her lovers de
parture; the family property descended to he
brothers. and she was left entirely dependen, up
on him. Captain Pollexfen's letters had entire
la caocod M,ru bou rnooiyod ca
lnn for more than SIX months, when she saw tn
return Of his regiment announced, and his nam
gazettrd as coonpl, He. however, neither cam
to see her, nor wrote 10 her ; and Mary beca n.
seriously lIl, She could 40 longer conceal he
suferngs from her brothcrs Under the i'm
press,on that she was actually dying they wrot
to her lover, demanding the canse of his sienc,
and telling hlm of hel slinatipn Colonel Pc
eXfen was conscience silckcn by this ete
He declared to the brothers ,na be intended
act as became man of no or. and wrote to M
ry with something of his old affection, revive
by remorse; excusiog his past silence. beggln
forgiveness and promising to go down and Sc
her the very instant he could obtain leave
absence.
Under the influence Of this letter Mary revi,
ed but the impression made upon her futur
husband soon passrd-he daily felt less incina
ton to perform his promise. He was living
the midst of fashionable society. aud was NOR
conrted than ever since by the death of his fatt
er ne had come INTO possession of his fortune
/ He began to ieel that he had decidedly throw
} himself away and by most unnatural transi
ton, he hated May for her clai ns upon him
, and considered himself very i'll used victim.
Mary's brothers finding that Colonel Polle2
fen d,d not follow his letter, nor show any slgr
, Of fulfilling his engagement, would not subm
to any more trang. The elder made journe
to London, and demanded satisfaction, with tn
lntlmauon that the younger brother would clal
the same right when the first affair was term
nat ed.
Colonel Pollexfen was not, of course, afral
Of having even two dues on his hands at once
he had already proved his courage too well I
allow a suspicion Of that sort. His answer wa
, characteristic. He Iod young ChambelIan th
he was quite ready to meet both him and b
brother, but that he was under a previous Ell
/; gagement to marry their sister, which he wishe
r to perform FIRST as otherwise circumstance
| might occur to prevent 1t; he should then
/ quite at heir SERVICE as it was Is intention
quit his BRIDE at the church door never to Sc
( her again
I The brothers, looking upon this as pretes
a to evade the marriage altogether, resolved, afte
e some deiiberation, to accept his proposal. The
n had great difficulty IN prevailing upon their s'
It ter to agree to their wishes; but they none
o them seriously believed that he wonld carry OF