Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-09-14


less tectator died of apoplexy, leaving his
daughter, that lady yonder, sole heir to one of
the finest estates in Cuba"
The curtain now rose, and though Captain
Lotion for while often found his ewes straving
towards the fair creature whose history he had
just heard, and about whose appearance, as
little as he could see Of her. tn ere was certain
something that created in his bosom sort of
underlined feeling of interest, which he could
not account for himself; yet, as the play went
on, his attention gradually became interested in
the development of the plot, and at length the
object of these revcries passed wholly from his
mind, and was not recalled for the remainder
Of the evening.
The incident, however, though lost sight of
through the best part Of the performance, and
the busy morning with him which followed, was
brought fully to his mind during the day by
another as little expected as the first, and more
calculated to excite his interest and curiosity.
As he was retiring from the dinner table black
boy put billet into his hand, and Immediately
disappeared. Perceiving the superscription to
be in lady's hand, and one that was wholly
unknown to him, it was with considerable sur
prise that he opened the billet, and with much
that he read the neatly-penned but brief con-
tents -
"Will Captain Lotion accept an invitation to
sup at six o'clock this evening, at No. 90 -
street By 50 doing he will afford lady de-
sired opportunity of communicating with him
on suhject of great interest to her, and not
wholly without interest, she trusts, to him.
JULIA G."
"Jula Co. he repeated to himself, after
second time reading the note Julia c.
Grayson, the lady at the theatre last night--it
will answer for that nalne-yct what can she
know OF me, or what want of me! 1t can't be.
and still but will 90 and solve the mystery,
come what may of it,
A little reflection, hover, tended not little
to abate the romantic interest with which he
WAS at first inclined to invest the incident, and
caused him to wayer in his determination. Nei-
ther the house designated, nor any family occu-
pying it, were at all known to him and 80 sin
gular were all tn circumstances attending this
invitation that he was at one time inclined to
believe it hosk,-at another time he suspected
it to be the artihce Of some designing person to
lead him into difficulty, and would pay no at
tention to it, But curiosity, and apresentment
that the visit was to terminate happily, at length
prevailed, and at the appointed hour he set
forth, and proceeded in state Of doubt and ag-
itation very unusual with his calm temperament,
to search out the house in question. In this he
soon succeeded; and finding the designated num-
Der attached to dwelling house, the appear
ance of which satisfied him of the respectable
ty at least of its occupants, he approached, and
with beating heart, rang for adnittance. A
servant appeared, and ushering him through IL
saloon to the entrance of large and elegantly
furnished parlor, motioned him in and immedi.
ately retired. Captain Lotion now advanced a
step or two within the threshold but perceiv-
luS HO UIC Ill tuo IUOul, anu uO hOhiu
some one in an apartment opening into it, he
paused, and was hesitating whether to take a
seat here, or pass through to the next room
when light female figure suddenly darted from
behind the door ajar on his left, and throwing
her arms around his neck, gave lively smacl
on his cheek, and then springing back step
and lookins up with an air of roguish triumph
burst into Il merry peal of laughter.
"Mary!" exclaimed the captain, throwing :
look of the utmost surprise, though not of dis
pleasure, upon his adopted daughter. " This
then, is plot of your own Matching, is it, yo,
incorrigible young rogue,"
"Well, admitting it to be so," laughingl,
retortcd the yivacious girl, you richly deserve
it at my hands, sir, for your conduct. Yo,
have not been to see me for almost who'll
week"
81 have been up to my ears in business, my
child"
"And yet my consistent father found time t.
attend the theatre last night, and to como hers
| ehio oNcuu5 ~ oeouo, oNcn oh VIC iuNitatiou "
a stranger"
"Stranger then you did not write tina
billet after all But who is that stranger, Ma
ry; whose house you appear to be 50 much Al
home in
" A new acquaintance"
"Ay-but who! "
"That is secret" archly replied the girl
GO but all in good time,--another scene OF thi
plot. as you call it, remains to be developed
Excuse me moment now, if you please, sir
and YOU shall soon know the whole" she addet
skipping out of the room, and leaving the cap
tain with bosom auttering with excited expec
tation to await her return.
In few moments the door was thrown open
and she re-appeared arm in arm with lady
with the bloom of sixteen added to the ripene'
countenance of thirty, the rare beauty of whicl
was now charmingly heightened by the embar
rassment she was trying to conceal
"Fathsr," said the happy girl, in voic
tremulous with grateful emotion, " this is Mrs
Grayson, and my own mother"
Captain Lotion advanced, and warmly grasp
ing the proffered hand Of the fair lady, led he
to seat
"A more grateful surprise" said the capital
after the parties had measurably recovered theI
! compcsure-"a more grateful surprise, Mr.
Graysen could hardly been devised for me, eve
} in fancy"
"Many thanks" replied the lady, With fee
ing many thanks to you, Captain Lotion, f'
this kind assurance in the present, and still mo-
, for your noble conduct in affairs Of the past,
, which have much to say, but with your lea
! will defer it to less agtated moment"