Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-07-20

put 'he sudden thought underwent os sudder i,
change, when, the second man TURNING h;s e.
'o"'rus her, she recognized in her amazement.
as the countenanco Of her admrer, the old h,;.
lff
The sight of his familiar face dissinated her
gloomy suspicious, and she speedily persuaded
herself that instead of a grave to hide some
dieadiul decd, they were digging for some of the
concealed treasures which everybody knew were
buriei in the forest. Monsieur Rebonl had Of
ten told her that he had heard of them from his
grandmother, SO it was natural enough he
should be ready to seek them. How she would
torment him with the secret thus strangely ac-
quired
'Fron her merry specuations she was aroused
at length by the re-appearance of the tall man
carrying in lis arms something wrapped in a
horsemans cloak, and followed by another and
younger figure, hearing, like himself, all the
outward signs belonging to the highest class o!
the nobility, though on his features was stamped
an expression of cruelty and harsbncss.
Going to bury "A treasure, rather than seek
onc,' thought Alix. Very well, Monsieur
Rcboul, | have you still "
The tall man, meanwhile had placed his bur-
den on the ground. Removing the cloak that
covered it, he now displayed to Alix S nstonishcd
eyes young and very lovely lady. For ii mo-
n,cnt the fair young creature stood motionl2ss
-Lo-, 81, 4 ,l,I
den Ii sht but it was for a moment only, and
then she flung herself on the ground at the feet
OF the elder man, bcsccching him to have mercy
upon her, to remember that she was young, and
that life, any life, was dear to her "
Tie man moved not muscle, uttered not a
word save these, 6 have sworn it,"
The girl-fer she looked little more than six
teen-rrcssed her Land on her bosom as if to
still the sufiocating beating of her heart, and
was silent. Such silence Such anguish Alix
trembl2d as if she herself was under the SEN
tcnce of that cold, cruel man. But now the
grave was finished for grave it seemed to be,
and one too destined to enclose that living, pant
ing. beautiful creature. The old man laid his
hand upon her arm, and drew her iorci5ly to
the edge Of the gaping hole.
With saldcn strength she wrenchcd herself
from lis grasp; and with wild and thrilling
shrek rushed to the yo0ng man, clung to him,
kissed his hands. lis feet. raised her wild, tear
less eyes to his, and iDIlored for mercy, with
such an agony Of terror in her Eoaisc, broken
voice, that the youg man S powerful frame shook
as if struck with ague. Involuntlrily, uncon-
sciously, he clasrcd her in Lis arms. What he
might have said or done, God knows, had the
old man allowed him time; bat already he WIS
upon them, and snatchcd the girl from his om-
brace The Young man turned uwry with look
SO terrible that Alx never recalled it, neser
spoke of it afterwards, without an invocation to
Heaven.
Kill me FIRST" shriokcd the POOR girl, as her
execu;ioner dragged her second time to that
living grave "Not alive! not alive oh, my
father not alive "
"Il.a,c no child, You no father" was the
stern reply. The young man bid bis face in
his hands, and Alix saw them thrust their victim
into the grave; but she saw no more. for with
a cry almost rs startling as that which the IN y
dertd lady bad uttered, she fled from her con-
c,almint back to the village. Painting, she
rushed on without PAUSE, without hesitation,
ii rough unknown patls her short, quick erie 6
for . Help hclp' help" showing the one idea
that possessed her; but she met no one until
she stopped exhausted and breathless at the tlst
house in the village, that of the cure.
Come, come at once; they will have killed
her !" she exclaimed.
What is the matter, my roor girl = he
asked in amaz' merit is, pushing back his spec
t,cles, he raised his eyes from his brcviary.
"Oh come, sir will tell you as VIC go.
Where is Francois He would help me Oh,
what shall d. what shall do! Come, do
come ~
There was no mistaking the look of agitation
in her face the cure yielded to her entreatcs
and followed her. As they quilted the house
they met some laborcrs with spades in her hands
and going to their daily work.
:. Make these men come with u.s." Alix said
6 and bring their spades !"
The cure did 50, and in an incredibly short
space of time the little party reached the greer
ring The spot was vacant now las formerly car
riage, horses servants, executioners, and victim
all had disappeared as if by magic and, in the
quiet sylvan solitude, not trace save the new
ly-turned soil was perceptibe of the tragedy en-.
acted there so lately. Alix staid not to glance
around her going directly up to the fatal spot
size gaspsd out, Dig dig
No one knew why the order was given, moi
what they were expected to find but her eager
ness had extended itself to the whole party, ane
they at once set to work, while she herself, pros
trato on the ground, tried to aid them by tear
;nr nm the sods with her hands. AT length tht
: turf was removed, and universal cry of horror
was heard, when the body of the unhappy CIR
was discovered.
Take her out she is not deadt Monsieur
lie Cure, save her; tell US how TO save her y
The laborvrs gently raised the body, and pa
f II in Alix's arms, as she still sat on the ground
Thew chaied the cold hands, loosened the ricl
: dress-the poor girls only shroud-but she CAV
no sign Of life. ..o
/ "Water, water!" cried Alix.
No fountain was near, but the rough mel
. gathered the dead leaves strewn around, AM
: sprinkled the pale face witt the dew they still
a held. For second they all hoped the eyelid
quivcred slightly, and faint puleation Of tn
heart was clearly perceptible
: But that was all They had come too late.