Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-06-02


needing him. i am fool, no doubt, he said;
but the time has long gone by, when Mildred
was a child TO me. For the last two years, |
have felt from the depths Of my heart that she
was a woman | have fought against the insane
wish to win her for my wife my ago, my past
relations with her, seemed to make il a crime,
Now have spoken; God knows, as much TO
save you from the disgrace you are so obstinate
ly bent on meeting, and her from tho poverty
that would crush her youth as to satisfy my
own feelings. What she is to me, words can
not say how will guard and love her, my
life only could prove. Mildred, what do you
sayp He paused opposite to me, and took my
hand was like one in dream. Love !
Marriage Brought up as had been TO home,
| had speculated less on those points than most
girls Of my age. had vague theories; indeed,
gathered from poets and noyelists and nv feel
ings for Mr. Lacy, man Of forty years of age,
who had nursed me as an infant, and whom |
regarded with almost unlimited reverence, as
one Of the best and wisest Of the race, did not
seem 10 correspond with them. was unwor-
thy Of the honor-ncapabe of fulfilling the Of
flee Of wife to such man. Wife lit seemed
almost basphemous 10 mention the word to such
child as was l shrank back from him,
towards my father, my cheeks burning, and my
eyes full of tears.
'You refuse me Mildred said he Il should
be villain 10 take advantage Of my position.
and urge you yet, in my heart, believe |
could make you happy 4; what would you have,
but youth, that could not give youi There
are many chances against your ever being offer
ed, again an honest undivided heart like mine.
No young man love as do Mildred
what you might be to me q
The strange tone Of passionate earnestness
made my heart beat quick. glanced at my
father he was watching me with intense anx-
iety no need 10 question what his wishes were.
As for the meaning OF this strange scene, |
wanted no details; enough that some monetary
crisis had come, that threatened disgrace and
ruin. could avert III and how BY marry
ing one whose affection might have gratfed
the most ambitious heart-one Of the noblest OF
men-one loved, though perhaps not as he
loved me. In that hour Of excitement, and in
my undisciplined mind, little was prepared to
weigh remote possibilities and contingencies
besides, ] was ardent, cxcitable, apt 10 mistake
impulse for sentiment. Mildred, what YOU
might be TO me = wrought upon my sensibliiy;
his expression of subdued emotion still further
moved me. II never occurred to me, to demand
time for explanation and reflection. felt con.
strained to answer him then and there.
III | were less child, ! said, blushing and
trembling-'If were more your equal'--
1t was enough he drew near me, and clasp
ed me in his arms. 'Childn he said passion.
aiely; my love-my wife = Then releasing
me- and ,aaaina at ma serianslv -.Y..a give
you back your freedom, if you are not happy ;
and you will find II hard TO deceive a love like
mine
My father rose and grasped his hand in ST.
lence. God bless you,' he said at length Il
would have borne much to secure such pro-
tector for my child. Leave us, Mildred, to ar
range some matters that cannot be DELAYED even
till the morning was eager to obey, and be
alone to think and left the room without a
backward glance. That halfhour had reyolu-
tionzed my whole being. | was child no
longer | locked my bedroom-door, to give
way 10 all tho iumultuous emotions Of woman
Sued for as wife-engaged ] looked at my
self in the glass, and wondered that man like
MIR Lacy could love such young, Uniformed
creature as | appeared. There was such an in
congruity in it that struck me painfully Still,
there was distinction in his regard, that fiat
tered me; | had a very high esteem for him
was warGing off calamity from my father !;
| loved no one else-no doubt should be very
happy. | sat down on the edge of the bed,
and leaned my head-little used to ache with
such grave matters Of rehection--upon my
hand. Unaccustomed to dream, at tina, moment
an involuntary dream rose before my imagina-
tion. Instead of this strange compact, the WOO
ing Of youthful lover instead of mere con-
sent on my part, the delicious hopes, the rich
fruition of conscious, active passion. Might
it not have heen thus II. beauty won love,
was fair enough; if freshness and strength Of
heart were needed, how mine throbbed under
the ideal bliss
The next two months passed in state Of
tranquil happiness. If manly devotion, il the
most delicate and minute attentions could win
heart, mine would have been won and thought
it was, and reposed on the idea. At the end
of that time Mr. Lacy left me to attend sum
mons to his fathers death-bed. He expressed
no fears as to the result of his separation,
though perceived deep secret anxiety. /
shared it, had morbid dread of the effect Of
this absence.
Don't leave me" cried, clinging, weeping,
to his arm. Il am afraid Of nyself-afraid of
becoming unworthy of you.
How, Mildred!' was his answer. If you
mean you forget me, or discover you are mis-
taken in thinking you love me, il will save us
both lifelong msery-me, at least, life