Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-05-30

the London season, retiring to her fathers
country seat, where she remained in strict Sc
clusion from the world for eighteen months.
At the end of this period, lord Montressor,
who had never left England, or lost trace OF his
beloved Stella, and who was now staying at his
castle in Dorsotshire, was one day seated at
breakfast when the morning mail was brought
him. Amopg a score Of letters the first that at
trac,ed his attention was dainty white envel-
one superscrbed in delicate handwriting He
took that up fist and opened tit contained
but one word-"CoME."
The light of an neilable joy broke over his
face Oh he had waited, patiently, hopeful
y, years, for that word, and at last he received
it! Thanks to heaven in The first instance
and then pushing all the other letters unopened
aside he sprung up, rang for his valet, aud OF
dcred his valise packed and horses put 10 the
carriage.
In twenty more minutes he haG reached the
railway station just as the cars were about TO
start, and in three hours he was at Hyde Hall
and standing in the presence of Estelle !-she
looking so beautiful and happy
With the old chivalrc enthusiasm Of devO-
lon, he dropped, at once, upon his knee, and
raised her hand TO his saying
"For four years have hoped and waited for
one VOID from yon, and at last, beloved yon
have written Come and am at your feet,
as | said, with an unchanged heart! !"
"But l." she said, deeply hlushing, while
she held both hands to raise him, 81, my Lord,
have not an unchanged heart for longer than
four years have loved you more than oman 5
tongue may iell--and never more, than at the
hour in which we babe farewell, as | thought,
forever"
81 know it, beloved knew i, Then knew
it aiicavs | never doubted it Could be de-
ceved in the dear heart of the woman loved
No and that vas the secret Of my patience ~
he replied, taking his seat on the sofa by her
side.
"And yet you never inquired and do not even
now inquire, why. without explanation and with
now, without apparent reason, summon you
back ~ she said, as a shade of the old sadness
fell upon her beautiful face.
"Your motives, dearest, were, and are your
own. Not until your spiri, moves you to do
so, shall you give them to me have full
confidence in you, beautiful Stella !"
"ConfdCnoei oh my Godf' she exclaimed
in low, deep, thrilling voice.
"Why, what is the matter, dearest J"
She looked up suddenly, a smile of worship
f ping love. breaking like sunlight over her darl
face, aud said
"Nuhing, nothing. my lord but that al
your thoughts and feelings are so elevated be-
vond your poor Eselle's And yet she woulC
almost choose ii 50 for could she be an angel
, she would wish you to be something far highe
"a god! ~
"Swcet enthusiast moderate your aspera
tons, or the world and its people will dsap
point you BE not an idolaioi; worship onl,
, God, my Stella"
f Such was their meeting
! Yet, .occasionly, ihrougou, the interview,
sudden shadow like the recurrence, of a pain
fuI thought, would fall upon her bright fac,
and then pass as it came.
, They were engaged, and within few day
r the marriage was announced 10 take place OF
the first Of May.
But it was observed by the nearest friend
I her spirits had been marked by the slranges
fluctuations. Sometimes with her beautiful
e face illumined with deep still, almost relig
e ous joy, she moved about las ii were on "winge
feet or sat broodlng in happy trance. a
! other times, she fell into deep gloom and ankle
/. ty, as inexplciable as it was alarming 10 he
i friends, who greatly feared her relapse into til
:. deep melancholy that had so long overshadowe
n her, and that they had grown 10 dread as sc
$ rious constitutional malady. But they hope
everything from her approaching marriage wit
+ the man she loved. Monressor observed wi
Y the deepest interest the uncertain moods Of hi
betrothed but with the heightened sentiment
r. that distinguished him, RETAINED from inquirine
ID and waited her voluntary revelations.
= AT last the first of May, the marriage da,
lie upon which have presenied,lhe parties 10 III
reader, arrived, and all the haul ton, as sale
W do honor 10 the solemni,ies.
e And the expeciant bride, in her bridal rof
ID and veil, waited within her boudur the arriv
is of the bridegroom, whom she had summone
r 10 private interview before they should PR
a coed 10 the church. She had not long
Sc wait. He who quickly responded TO her Sigh
est inclination, Immediately obeyed her call
10 Yet when she heard his firm elastic step
e, preaching,
. Z" Now God have mercy on me - she pra
ed ed, and covered her face with her hands.
v, He entered, unannonnced, and saying,
My beautiful Stella | am here, you pc
en- ceive, by your commands -
st, She dropped her hands, and revealing ia
gu pale with misery, in a thrilling, deep, impa
stoned tone
~ "You are here by my duplication, my lor'
he | have no right 10 command
ave will waive that What is your wi
sct my dearest Stellar
We " My prayer, my lords first, for your f
mt givlness."
fu- " Forgiveness my Stella !"
ne Ay my dear lord ! you see before you
eet Peniient and suppcant, who may soon
it'll something far more wretched -
it, My Stella! what mean you 7"
m. Come to the window, Lord Montressor
Tho she said, rising and proceeding him. " Lo
lp- ont" she continued, putting aside the rose-c