Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-03-07

dHSNtI lhuNtui SHG HtN'l E"l ~
1t vas FAR from my intention, dear reader,
to make this love story; and after all, this
grand event | promised to tell you Of Nei-
ther is il my intention TO give an account Of
travels in Europe what saw there other
travellers have seen, and put down in books.
My leart was not in them. My two years
were spent in wild lonenes to get home. |
had not been able TO shake Off or change the
feelings had for Lily. In spite of my most
desperate efforts had 10 acknowledge that /
vas still hoping on. tried to improve my
self in everything, and did improve; i, was all
in the hope that her siserly affection had worn
out in my absence, and would give place to
another and tenderer feeling. She was the
nucleus around which all my feelings cluster
ed in her all my thoughts ceniered. | min
gled IN society, but the dark-eyed daughters Of
Italy, aud the sparkling vivaciiy Of the French
women, only brought them into comparison
with the infanlne loveliness and infectious
mirlh Of The companion of my boyhood and
turned from them IN utter dissatisfaction at The
contrast.
Well, those two years flew by on lcaden
wings but they passed at last, and gladly
returned home. waited day in New York,
that my letter announcing my arrival might be
before me.
1t was sweet, bright day in early May
that drew neal To my fIher's house. The
carriage had been sent some miles to meet me,
and old Juba was winning my thanks and prai-
ses by his efforts 10 hurry me on my journey
as much as it was possible. Everything SEEM
ed to have been done with reference tu my re-
turn; everywhere recognized the hand Of af-
iecii0n, aud even natures self seemed to Join in
tie general joy-,he green grass, the smiling
flowers. and the joyous note of the bird, all
seemed To welcome me home. Oh, the magic
of the world My heart seemedlo bound with
in me, and could not restrain my disposition
10 leap from the carriage and return the greet.
ings Of my ebony friends with as much hearth
ness as they were given. Then came the ST.
lent embrace uf my father, speaking more than
volumes Of words, and the fearful tenderness Of
my mother, as she thanked God for bringing
Inc safely home. A u this was happiness, in
deed, but ! looked beyond. Behind my moth
er stood Lily, looking lovelier than ever, 10 her
dress Of sky blue, falling in such graceful fluids
/
ure. Her cheek was little paler than when
J | left, bu, there was light in her eye that
made my heart bound. "ris true, she was dig.
niied sill, but there was shy, tnid con
sciousncss Of the possession Of feelings which
she feared 10 beiray. was perfectly hap
py. ! had never felt in such spirits.
laughed aud talked in the wild, ST possible man
ner A, last We separated, or al least Lilly
left us, and my father, my mother, and myself
sat down for quiet talk. How well do re
wH1ch- had taken place diirng my absence, an,
forming plans for the future, when my fathe
said, with rather meaning smile, "And now
my boy, you must begin 10 look out for your
self wife. We shall sadly wan, dau ghte
when our little Lily is gone
| was thunderstruck. ] felt as if crushed b
a mountain weight. looked from one To N
other in mute anazemeni. AT last | manage,
To ask, what was t-uhat did he mean,
"Why, has not Lily wri,en to yon. the ST.
little mink thought she would have toll
you. She went TO Richmond and brought bac
| with her an elegant, fne-looking fellow, a DR.
: Allen, and she has taken fancy to the name
| think she is doing WE'LL no doubt. but still
shall miss my lille lady-brd sadly ha
hoped il would have been different, but lher
is no accounting for tastes. Well, good night
) viii, my boy; | am glad you are at hom
once more and the old gentleman picked U
} his candle and left the room. ] do not kno,
e how long lay with my head in my mother
y lap, all my hopes blasted, my dream at an enc
/ Not one word was spoken, but softly, solil
0 moved the velvet palm over my fevered brow
5 | ciosed my eyes. ! tell that she read n,
: heart. She knew lis agony, and if anyihin
# could comfort me her silent sympathy did
@ Every now aud then she would soop down an
c kiss away the scalding tears which, in spite ,
o my manhood, would flow and say, "De;
b child" or my poor Wille!' Bat the Ion
b hours we sat there she never pried into my $,
# cret, only gave me her silent sympathy. A
Y last we parted, and, retiring 10 my room,
: threw myself upon my bed, and gave way
$ my bitter grief had never had such fee
II ings before. Heart and brain seemed crusht
by one stroke. The thick darkness of mig
J. was nothing TO the midnight of my heart. f.
d hours lay tossing groaning, and lamenlir
y that had ever been born The many bles
st ings had were as nothing. What were the
n in comparison with what was denied TO INT
is Like spoiled child, dsdained all my toy
s. because there was one beyond my grasp. o
le how is that night written deep on my memo
= burned into my heart No soft hand to sooi
,e away the anguish, and, alas knew not whe
sr to find comfort when no earthly friend W
u. near.
l. Hours must have passed, before, exhaust
y by my overwroughl feelings, fell in slran
u slumber-so deep that was unconscious of n
ST own breathing, and yet actually conscious
W objects around. had MY eyes closed. but
felt the darkness pressing upon their lids.
g. seems as if even my heart stood still So ho
is rible was my sensations that longed TO rou
myself but, like person in nightmare,
y, was unabled 10 stir; so lay until it seem
Q, TO grow lighter around me, and heard Jam
l. Qhe servanO enter the room. heard hi
he step carefully and noiseessy for fear of d
n lurbing my slumber. heard him stop, 81
d. prsed, al the foot of my bed, at seeing me ST
'u dressed as | had been the day before.