Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-08-08
-. IRAsBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY AUGUST s. 1856.

pressing influence on the mind. The sea
could be seen cleaning through the in
terstices of the boughs but the sun hav-
ing gone down, every object was assum-
ing by slow degrees an indistinctness,
while the old sturdy oaks, wrapt in shad-
ow, looked of gigantic dimensions, their
branches being too sombre habitation
by far for joyous elves and purple-winged
fairies. I
On a mass of felled timber a man and
woman were seated; they were in the
garb of peasants. In spite, however, of
the disguise of the former, friend might
easily have recognized the features of
Sir Basil Temple. The female by his
side had drawn her bonnet closely around
her face,-that face was young, and, not
withstanding its expression of fatigue.
anxiety, and sorrow, beauty had stamped
there its magic and ineffaceable lines; her
soft and longing eyes were raised to his ;
she murmured, from time to time, words
of coincidence, sweet promises of hope >
and this was woman, suffering, yet feel
ing only for the suferings of him she
loves-this was Sir Basil Temples young
wife.
"Not another night" said Sir Basil
'no, you must not expose yourself in the
open air another night. YoHr hand trem-
bles dearest; you are i'll, worn out, and
altogether incapable of sustaining any
longer this privation and wandering"
"You mistake, Basil l am not fatigued
as you imagine. 1 am strong, am well /;
we will pass!the night in the wood"
The soldier shook his head, but, at the
same time, stopped and kissed her cheek.
"And this is for me! You might have
remained at home, for to you the kings
troops would have offered no injury. Oh,
once more, | entreat you, listen to my
prayer,-return, return, and leave me to
my perils and my misfortunes!"
"Never!" replied the heroic and de-
voted woman; 81 was by your side in the
hours of good fortune and happiness, and
| should disgrace my sex were I to for.
sake you now. We we're one in bliss, ler
US still be one in sorrow. Whether yor
go, let me go; and when you perish, le
me also sink down and die J"
Sir Basil strained her to his heart, ant
the strong man wept tears over his young
and beloved one. For her sake, and still
to enjoy her affection, he would wish t
live: yes, it is only when we have moth
ing here that smiles upon US, and cling
to us for support and happiness-it is onl
then we desire to die.
''Let US leave this spot" said Sir Basi
after a pause 1--WE will trust ourselves t
the hospitality of some peasant for, agai
say, dear Maud, TO sleep in the ope
air will be your death. do not believ
that in this secluded district any one ha
heard of the reward offered for my az
prehension."
A few words of fear and doubt wer
uttered by the anxious wife, but she wa
eventually over uled by her husband
and after walk of some hours, they ar
i preached cottage, where, craving res
in the character of benighted traveller
and offering payment for the accommod;
ton, they were received with apparel
cordiality.
i The occupiers of the hut, man an
woman advanced in years, possessed b
J. no means pleasing physiognomies of Il
two, however, the man in person was ii
least ill-favored, for the withered an
puckered-up features of the woman e,
pressed little but craft, parsimony, an
biting peevishness.
''They are gone TO bed, and ] thin
sleeping" said the crone to her helpmat
in whisper. "Listen to what have
say, Matthew" and she drew her threr
legged stool closer to the man, who w
: sitting by the peat-fre in the corner
: the room smoking his pipe
swell, what's in the wind now p sa
r the peasant, STOPPING, and knocking o
e the contents of his pipe-bowl upon Il
e brick near his feet.
s"Hark 'ee, those travellers, for all they
dressed in such coarse clothes, ] strong
$ suspect are not common people"
f "What then will you make 'em d
e US more for their nights lodging 2"
e sSomething better than that, / hoI
IS Matthew" said the woman, rubbing b
i lean hands, her little, round, grey ey
n twinkling and flashing in the dusky roo
vi The peasant suspended his smokil
If and looked at her with stupid stare.
Ie Il heard at the village" pursued I
; woman, "that the mad-cap fellows "