Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-09-15

oOy untns lie ohdWiheu tHe case, ana became
convinced that he was.
lie went to the city and laid il before emil
n,nt counsel, and was advised otherwise. "T'he
will Of John Bromley, Senior" said the brief
and clear opinion Of the ex-chanceIlor whom he
consulted, sis manifestly void, and the properly
goes to his heirs At law"
Other counsel but confirmed this view. He
could get no one in whom he had any confidence
TO say otherwise.
Troubles thickened around him. IF this
fourth Of the estate and the mesne profits were
to be taken from him, as they would be, he
would be bankrupt His position, character,
reputation, all were at stake, and all now rest
ed on some successful blow to retrieve his fall.
ing fortunes. The marriage appeared most
feasible and he began 10 reason with himself
that il she were 10 marry him against her own
will her grandfather would surely not cut her
OF, and a, length he resolved TO abduc, her.
His plan was adroitly laid. There was a
man in the city. au old ally Of his younger ras-
caiiies, who had once helped him in some
what similar adventun, though n that case the
lady was not unwilling. Stevens had person
ated clergyman then for his aid, and possibly
he might now provide one who would do up
marriage in fact.
Bromley wrote him 10 come and see him
He came. Almost twenty years had not chang
ed him very much lie was the same round
faced, jolly, good-naiured fellow he had known,
with broad English brogue, and broader
English laugh
When Bromley reminded him Of the old
l.. r.. e. 4 r
and happiness left IL. He was silent for mo-
ment.
81 did not think you had sent for me to
speak Of that or ] should not have come, Brom-
ley"
"Well, we will not speak of il. ! want
you now TO help me in another way. want
to marry woman against her will"
81 will have nothing to do with it,"
Nonsense, Stevens. You will do il. It is
just this"
And he told him all the circumstances and
his plan. Stevens listened, and his eyes open
ed wider and wider, until, when he named En-
lily Carlton, his eyes shut with a snap so quick
/ they could almost have been heard. Stevens
now seemed 10 enter fully into his plans and
they arranged the minutie without difficulty.
The next week was Fixed for the accomplish
ment
On the appointed morning Stevens was to
present himself at the school as messenger
from the city with intelligence Of the severe
I illness Of Mrs Carlton, and request for the
immediate attendance Of the daughter. He was
to convey her by carriage 10 the river, where
they would take the steamer for New York, and
/ Bromley would Join them the same evening al
place TO be appointed by Stevens. Every.
thing promised success, and the Clergyman
whom stevens was to furnish would perform his
work, consent OF no consent.
| In the drawing-room Of an elegant residence
in the city, about nine o'clock Of a winter eve.
ming, an old gentleman SAT- alone, looking into
a splendid fire, manifesly absorbed in deeI
thought
Before him swept the shadows and shapes Of
nearly seventy years, and he did honor 10 them,
more or less as they severally demanded it,
Sometimes his face grew dark and clouded
sometimes twas clear and sunny, sometime.
bitterly sad.
At length lady entered. She was abou
forty years of age in appearance, and was still
very beautiful. No girl of eighteen ever seem
ed more fresh in feature, more graceful in form
more winning in all her ways.
"Shc is here, my father"
"Lei her come in, Kate, and | will tell hel
ALL"
The door opened, and Katharine Carlton en-
tered Her presence seemed TO give new ligh
TO the room.
Katharine, my child, come close TO me.
have much to say TO you tonight, and woulC
prepare you for scene you have lille antici
} paied."
She was kneeling by the old mans side
looking up into bis face with trusting love.
"When was boy loved one who wai
marvelously like what you are now. can SET
her again when look at you. hated her ia
} ther, and was proud Of triumphing over hiu
by winning his daughter against his stern com
} mands. ! eloped with her. Your mother wa
our only child. We were happy together 70
many years. How happy Their memory i
! buried. lost her-she died. Then | love-
! your mother. God visited my youthful sins OF
me, and in my happesi days your mother yield
ed to the smooth voice Of scoundrel and LEI
me, as her mother had before LEFT her father
, But your mother was deceived. God punishe'
, her too, and when you were two years old, an'
! she had an infant in her arms, she was aban
doned to the world and its cold crueltes.
''By the strange interposition Of Providence
] found her in the hour Of her utmost anguish
and took her back TO my heart. God has bless
ed us both with many happy years since then
and we have loved you beyond all words to tell
and now must tell you who was your father
/ and who"
He was interrupted by the opening ofthe door
: and the servant retiring hastily, gave place :
+ Mr. Stevens and John Bromley.
No man was ever more astonshed than wa
: the latter at seeing the grandfather Of his sup
posed victim before him, He turned furions
! to Stevens, but the next instant fash Of light
4 ming appeared to have struck him. This wa
r surely Mr. Carlton, the same man he had see
4 In France but yet it was not the same. TIL
3 red complexion of the French marquis was gone