Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-05-17

the calm, steadfast life Of his wife and nothing
more-she could not believe that was her desii.
ny.
But enough with motives and let us proceed
with our story.
The week afier that letter was written Phil.
Up Winslow was on the sea. Here are ex.
tracts from two letters, written year later
Has year produced any change II is
vain TO conceal the simple truth from you,
Mary, that am miserably lonesome without
the hope Of your love, and do not see before
me Que spot so bright as the light that shines
through my grave. ] have believed that yeu
loved me. have convinced myself that can
not be mistaken. Ihave hoped against all your
calm assurances. And now, once more, and
for the last time, | come and ask for love.
Give give or perish -
Her reply:
81 said forever, Phillip, and it must be so.-
fon are right in believing that love you.
was wrong in saying that | did not love you
But do not love you as you wish We eau
never be more than friends. Forgive me, Phi
lip, if sadden you again. You would not lot
It rest as II was. II must be even so. Seek
no further TO change me-look for no change
in Iue. have searched my heart through for
you, carefully, faithfully. have removed my
self out Of myself for the sake Of looking at
my soul, and Philip, it must be-Ii must be
| do not even weep on this page in writing il,
so cold am / in all this. And when | know
that pain is wringing your heart, my own beats
steadily as before. God keep you, Philip.
Good bye -
Let US pass over a space Of six years that
followed the date Of the last letter.
Il is the afternoon Of an Angus, Sunday IN
one Of the most quiet, and retired portions
OF - County, among the highlands. The
day has been oppressively warm, and the air is
sultry, giving indications of the coming of
thunder storms.
The lille church OF - stood al the very
entrance Of the mountain glen, where the brook
after dashing down rocks for half mile, flows
peacefully out into the meadow lands.
The church stands among trees, which
shade the peaceful groves that are around il,
and which darken the windows even at midday,
so thick and heavy is their foliage. The
building itself is old The oak timbcrs that
were never covered or painted, are somewhat
worm-eaien, but very curious and ancien, in ap-
pearance. and the entire aspect Of the interior
Of the church is tina, OF old times
In one of the large square pews, around
which arc curtains tha, exclude the vision Of
neighbors and even Of the clergyman himself,
two ladies', strangers in the village, are sitting
with bowed heads. waiting the commencement
Of the afternoon service. The village has
been not unfrcquen,ly the resort Of invaIids
from the city, and one Of these ladies' is Of this
class. The other her niece, young and very
beautiful woman, in the perfection Of health,
has accompanied her for the sake Of compan-
ionship.
There was strange fascination 10 the young
er lady in the voice u the clergyman. 1t was
singolarly musical in the ears of any stranger,
but to her there was something more than she
could describe in its power. Al the first
sound Of his voice she sprang from her seat
and looked towards him. Bot the obscuriiy of
the coming storm darkened the church, and she
sought in vain to recognise his features. II
was a familiar voice, snd ye; she could moi
place it. She had heard one like it, The
service proceeded. and she sat in the corner Of
the pew and buried her face in her hands, and
seemed 10 be sleeping.
But she was not sleeping. There was
tempest IN the mind of the proud and elegant
lady, sitting IN the lille uP-eouniry church with
her lace hidden from her companion.
Ihe sermon was on the pomp md vanity Of
the world. 1t was strange to hear the young
clergyman preaching on such subject to his
little congregation 10 that retired village.
What temptation had the world TO such vii
layers and llvers among the hills. Ii they as
cended to the highest peak of the mountairs,
ihey could but dImiy discern the smoke of
large Town bnl lew Of their young people
hao ever seen H. Ana ye' The temptations of
'ne Norid haa entered ihai hamlel, and the
clergyman was as eioquen' 10 them IN simple.
strong language, as was the great Augustine
In ms remuneration OF SIN
A"er 'he service was out the ladies leil
'heir pew and stood Tor few moments with
their 'e'ls drawn over their faces, while the
congregation passed out.