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

strangely oppressive to me, and even
ltonald's manners had assumed an
embarrassment and constralnt to-
wards her very different from their
usual familiarity.
The night before our departure !
felt more melancholy than ever. 1t
was Just such night as the one that
witnessed our ill-starred belroihal-
The moon came forth from behind
bed of white clouds, silverng every
fake as it foa,ed back from her
beauicous face. and diifusing on
earth The woudrous secret of heavenly
communion. | could not sleep F;
and as lay gazing on the solemn
tranquility Of the night heavens, |
thought of the time when those
heavens should be rolled together as
scroll, mud the elements melt with
lcrvent heat and ! still thinking,
living, feeling, in other, grandeT,
everlasting scenes, the invisible
dwellcr Of my bosom's temple assum-
ed such magnitude and majesty in
my eyes, that the contemplation
became overwhelming and awful
The sublime sound of the clock
striking the midnight hour-and all
who have heard that sound in the
dead silence of the night can attest
that it is sublime--broke in on my
deep abstraction.
Byzantine, who had lain wrapped
in peaceful slumbcrs, here softly
drew back the bed cover, and rising
slowly, walked round with Silly
steps to The side where | recined,
and stood looking Gxedly upon me.
EglanGne = | exclaimed, terrified
at her attitude and singular appear
ancc, 'Eglantine, what is the matter ?
She answered not, moved not but
remained standing, immovable, with
Ter eyes fixed and expresslonlcss as
stone. There she stood, in the
white moonlight, in her long, loose
night-dress, which hung around her,
in her stiffness, like the fields of a
winding-sheet, her hair streaming
down her back in long, lifeless trcsses,
and lighted up on her brow with Il
kind OF supernatural radiance land
then those Notwithstanding eyes =
| trembled, and tired TO draw the
sheet over my face, TO shut out the
appalling vision. After a few
moments, which seemed interminable
to- me. she bent over me, and taking
my right hand, felt my wrist again
and again. Her fingers were a
cold as marble. My very blood
seemed to CONCEAL under her touch.
1t is gone. murmurcd she, bu
il is safe. have it safe. 1t fits mJ
wrist as well as hers
Terrified as ! was at this unex
pected apparIiion, my mind wa
clear, and never were my pcrcep
tons more vivid. The mysterr
OF the bracelet wns about 10 b,
unravellod. Poor Alice's assertion
that she had seen Byzantine standing
! by my side, and taking the bracele
from my wrist, came back laundering
in my ears.
sit is gone repeated Byzantine,
in the same low, deep voice, but
know where it is laid where the
bridegroom or the bride can never
ind il. Perhaps the moon shines
too brightly on il, and reveals the
spot
Thus saying, she glided across
the floor. with spirit-like trend, nnc
opening the door disappeared.
In the excess Of my excitement,
forgot my fears, and hastily rising
followed her footsteps, determined tc
unravel the mystery, il died in the
attempt. | could catch the glimpse:
of her white garments through the
shadows of the winding staircase
aud pursued them with rapid steps,
till found myself close behind her,
10y the door which opened into the
garden. There she stood still as i
corpse, and again the cold dew Of
supersiiiious terror gathered on ms
brow. soon saw a iumbling motion
about the keyhole, and the door
opening, she again glided onward
towards the summer-h house, my fa-
vorile retreat, the place where | had
received this mysterious bracelet
the place where Flora had collected
all her wealth Of bloom. She put
aside the dropping vines, which sent
out such a cloud of fragrance on the
dewy air, that almost tainted from
It's oppression, and STOPPING over a
white rose-bush, she carefully remoy-
ed the lower branches, while the
rose-leayes fell in snowy shower over
her naked feet.
where is il" said she, feeling
about in the long grass 1t is not
in the spot where | hid it. If she
has found it she may yet be a
bride, and Ronald still her own
She stopped down lower over
the rose-bush, then Using hastily,
saw, with inexpressible agitation,
the lost bracelet shining in the light
that quivered with ghost-like iustre
on her pallid face. With a most
unearthly smile, she clasped il on
her wrist, and left the arbour, nut.
tering in low voice, will not
leave il here-lest she find out
where it lies, and win back hel
bridal gift. will keep it next my
own heart, and she cannot reach il
| there Hat