Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-06-06

modification. The irksome recollection will
distract me from the keener suffering or our
sudden parting. Our lives have takep differ.
eni paths, aud will meet again no more forcv-
er."
The sense of piqne, the pleasure of giving
pain, raised me to heroic attitude, and then
crumbled away before the look of intense dis.
tress which settled upon her face and swan in
her fearful eyes. ! skunk back meekly to my
place by her side; my heart full 10 ovenowing
with contrition and tenderness.
"Can you forgive me Julia 90 whispered
"l cannot forgive myself" she answered,
and do not feel entitled to much considera.
tion from oihers.'
"Kemember, II is not sunny prospect for
me" said l, 'to look into the gulf now OPEN
ing between US, which shall never be passed
Shall no more be subject to the pure influence
that surrounds you-never more worship in you
the beauty and nobility of womanhoodl Must
our sympathies, which have become nterwov-
en-, be torn suddenly apart, Shall never
more feel the pressure OF your hand in well
come, or exchange parting wordi"
paused, and restraining myself, proceeded .
"You should know that during our brief ac-
quaniance, some graceful trait Of yourself has
become associated with each of nv opinions :;
so that | can scarcely fall into any mood with
out remembering you. Now must sift with
you, and separate you from MY memories, as
they siit the gold dust from the sand. Every
tone OF your voice, the look and gesture, the
gentle counsel and geniler reproof, which haun,
me, must be sienced and oblitera,ed. You see
the task must be painful"
"Will you make it your business to forget
me - said she sorrowfully.
"Yes. will try to remember you as
pleasant dream, and not regret you as sub
stantial thing
How the nooniide glared upon the distant
fields, and the everlasting rusiling of leaves
around us grated on ny ear The singing Of
the grasshopper in the sunshine was an n,oler-
able burden.
"Oh, if could have foreseen all this - she
exclaimed, clasping her little hands together,
until the blue veins rose, and you could trace
them as they wandered shining through the
transparent skin.
"And now" said |, growing more and more
bewildered, "as this is the last hour of ,he
friendship between US, ! ask your forgiveness
If have ever given you pain in any way"
And extended my hand, thinking 10 part with
her before it became too difficult; but she had
covered her face with both her hands, and was
weeping bitterly.
thought flashed across me, at which my
heart leaped, as if the earth at my feet had re-
ceived a sudden jar.
Julia, yon tell me that they say we are en-
gaged!"
She made no answer, nor did well see how
she could have answered me. All language
5Jsa II lbb6ea em5sHfsssrneni 55a hrt WAS iahi
ening its folds. With an instructive impulse,
l drew her hand from her eyes and pressed it
to my lips. There was a moment Of suspense
The hand remained passive in my own; a ra-
diant blush kindlcd in her cheek, as the sunset
breaks through the summer shower. Slowly
her head sank upon my shoulder, there resting
for an instant, and for an instant held her 10
my breast. Thus we made another treaty
which should be unbroken for life. But lost
my "friend."
"Do you still believe" asked, at the close
of the long interview which followed, "that
men and women can be truly friends %
"No, indeed !" she smiled and looked down
"lhe though, was snare and delusion -
The brook, which had paused 10 hear her
answer, raised peal of laughing little voices,
and tumbled down the glen; the trees whisper
ed among themselves stir of buoyant life
went through the forest, and the landscape
stretched out before US, glad as if it had been
decreed that there should be everlasting spring.
-Knick16ocky Magazine