Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-01-26

mantle, dear Eglaniine,' said !, softly
approaching her, and throwing my
arms round her neck but come
down from the stars little while,
my sweet cousin, and share in my
carth-born emoiions' My heart was
too full Of happiness, my spirits too
excited, not to overflow in unresorv-
ed confidence in her bosom. She
wept as poured into her ears all
my hopes, my recent vows, and
future schemes of felicity 1t was
her usual manner Of expressing deep
sympaihies, and ! loved her the bet
ter for her tears. An wonder at,
and blame in Ronald is, said |, and
spoke this in true sincerity, that
he does not love you better than me.
Never till this evening was sure Of
his preference
Byzantine withdrew herself from
my arms, aRd turned her face to the
shadow Of the wall. There was
/ something inexplcable in her man
ner that chilled, and even alarmed
me. A thought, too painful to DC
admitted, darted for a moment to my
mind Could she be Jealous Of Ro-
maids love for me Was my hap
piness to be built on the ruin OF hers ;
/ No ! 1t could not be. She probably
feared my affections might become
aiienaled from her in consequence Of
my attachment. Such a fear was
natural, aud | hasiened to remove il
/ by the warmest professions, mingled
with covert repro chcs for her doubts
and misgIvings.
/" had young waiiing-maid, who,
next to Byzantine, was the especial
object Of my regard She was the
daughter Of genllewomau, who,
from series of mlsiortunes, was re-
duced to penury 10 which was adj
ded the helplessness OF disease. To
relieve her mother from the pressure
of immediate want, the Young Alice
offered herself as a candidate for
state of seryitude, and | eagerly a.
vailed myself of the opportunity Of
securing the personal attendance of
one SO refined in manners and 50
winning in appearance. Alice now
came forward, as was her custom,
TO assist me in preparing for my
nightly rest She was about 10 un-
clasp the bracelet from my wrist, but
drew back my arm. No, no,
+ Alice said | this is an amulet
Sweet dreams will come to my pill
low, beckoned by It's fairy power. |
cannot sleep without II. See how
beautifully The lilies CLEAN in the
moonlight that gllds my couch. -
/ Alice seemed as if she could never
weary in admiTng the beauty OF the
ornament. She turned my arm TO
smU the ruys, ""d o-'ch she JviiUa,0
coloring Of the pearls, and looped mp
the sleeve of rly night dress in a fan
iaslic manner, to display II fully
to her gaze Once or twice /
thought saw the ewes Of Esaniine
fastened upon It with a sad, wisIlul
expression, and the same exquisitely
painful thought again darted to ny
mind. struggled against lis adma-
sion, as degrading both 10 myself and
her, and at lasl fell asleep, with my
arm thrown on the outside Of the
bed. and the bracelet shining out in
the pure night beams.
"Alice slep, in little bed by the
side Of mine, for could not bear
that creature so young and delicate,
and SO gentle bred, should share the
apartments devoted TO the servants,
and be exposed 10 their rude com
panlonship. She generally awokc
me with her light touch or gentle
voice but when | awoke the next
, morning, she WAS still sleeping, with
flushed cheek, and an attitude that
betokencd excitement and restless
ness. Byzantine sat at her window,
reading. dressed with her usual care
10y her own graceful fingers la the
school OF early poverty she had learn
ed the valuable lesson OF independ-
ence-a lesson which, in my more
luxurious hle, | had never acquired
Alice must be H. said |, rising, and
approaching her bedside she looks
fcverish, and her brows are knit, as
if her dreams were fearful. | bent
down over her, aud laid my hand
upon her shoulder, 10 rouse her from
her uneasy slumbers when | started
for the precious bracelet was gone
= Byzantine laid down her book at my
sudden exclamation, and Alice wa
kenIng, looked round her with be-
wildorod expression. Ny bracelet :
repeated ; 'lt is gone ? | flew TO
, my couch; ii was not there. look
ed upon the carpet, in The vain hupe
that The clasp had become loose, and
, that II had fallen during the night
, lice, cried |, 'rlse this moment,
4; and help me 10 find my bracelet
+ You must know where It is. l. could
, aol have vanished without aid
, fixed my eyes sieadlaslly on her face,
) which turned as pale as marble, She
lrembIed in every limb, and sank
5 down again on the side of the bed.
, "'You do not think / have taken
5 it, Miss Laura ? said she, gasping
! for breath.
80 do not know what to think,
+ answered, in raised tone but IL
4 is very mysterious, Alice, and your
/ whole appearance and manner are
, very strnnoe Tins noruinu Won