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


ihlther as usual together, but TO set out from
the house by different ways. She had some.
thing OF importance, she said, to communicate
aud as this was the first time, during our inter
course, that she had taken the least precaution
TO avoid the notice of Others pondered over
the circumstance while stroling toward the
spot but to no purpose.
found her seated upon low moss-grown
rock, one of many dropped singly here and
there, or tunbled in groups along the valley,
like dice after night of hard play.
The trees bowed over her, futiering in the
mountain wind, and long beams of sunshine
twinkled through the leaves. The brook hard
by slid over shelving rocks. murmurng softly
and dreamily; or gurgled half awake among
the round pebbles and died away in faint
rushing sound far down the glen. My friend
was not aware Of my approach; even when
took my accustomed place by her side she was
lost in thought. Her head was bowed down /;
her cheek was slightly flushed; her hands lay
in lsiless beauty, folded in her lap. thought
that her face wore a look Of trouble. Wishing
10 make my presence known, gently reused
her from her reverie. She started and recog-
nized me with her own glad smile then has
tily withdrew her hand, and casting down her
eyes was silent.
"You are not like yourself, to-day, Julia. -
"Do you know, Mr.. s." she answered, sad
ly avertirg her face, "that we cannot be friends
any longei''
was stunned. Not solitary misunder-
standing had hitherto perpexed our intimacy /;
not word had been breathed TO chill it.
"Have in any way offended you!''
"Indeed you have noi"
MAY | ask then why we cannot be friends -
She struggled TO speak.
"Iou have right 10 know. ! wished To
tell you Of this when we met here but it is
very difficult. Oh, am very miserable"
sat quietly gazing at her. had no sus-
Pcion OF the cause of her distress, but knew
well that it was far better policy TO refrain
from questioning her. Beside this, her beauty
was just then of the kind which absorbs the in
tellect The color died away and rvse again
in her check, as the shadow of thought after
thought drifted like clouds over her soul. Her
lips quivered; her eye had fixed lus,rous
gaze, and in them burned dull, feverish light
1--WE have been very much together, late
ly," she said, at last, nervously interlocking
and loosening the clasp Of her slender fingers
mot by any means so much as could have
wished" said !, "for the hours of our compan-
ionship are the only hours of the day which
have any sunshine for me. The rest are dreary
and full of autumn
As spoke there came before me, one BY
one, the incidents Of our brief acquaintanceship /;
the lonely walk in the woodland, where the
autumn leaves were dropping the evening
conversation, so absorbing that midnight came
unwelcsme and found sgs. Us vs. more wakefalL RhssR
was alive with some bright though, Of her; all
my recollec,ions were musical with her sweet
voice; all radiant with the beauty Of her pres
ence. The golden scene thus gathering be-
came bleak and desoate, at the thought of re-
signing her friendship. was alarmed at the
strength Of my feelings, and arousing my pride,
with great effort, sirove to hide them from
her and even from myself.
81 submit 10 the sentence of Punishment,
without complaint" continued after pause :
81 am grateful for the past. You have taught
me TO unearn much evil which had prev-
ously got by heart, intending it for the use of
society and the world. You remember how
the stars of which we are told in Revelations,
fell TO the earth and became wormwood. You
reversed the text and restored to its high place
some part Of my nature which had fallen and
turned TO bitterness. You have sometimes put
to fight the twin demons Of distrust and unbe-
lief which tormen, me. A few frank words
from you have fallen on my soul like the drops
of holy water on the brow of the possessed. !
have caught from you little enthusiasm and a
little faith"
81 gave you my friendship, sincerely, be-
lieve me-" she said with earneslness. "You
have treated me with more than the care and
delicacy Of brother. There is not a thought
of blame or unkindness towards you in my
heart"
| 81 see how il is. ! have weared you by
in'ruding my society continually. knew once
that the best friends cannot, with safety, be
brought into contact, and once praciiced the
maxim"
"You mistake me, altogether" she replied
colorng deeply.
| IL must confess il, my last remark was no
exactly made in good faith, for never detected
a sign which betrayed that my presence wa
irksome, and my vanity is quick-sighied, an,
never slumbers.
/ repented the pitiful impulse TO try the gen
tie girl, which had prompted me and has
tened to atone by leading the way 10 an expla
nation.
al am abont TO speak frankly with you,
said !, "perhaps misunderstood the cause o
your embarrassment; but if not my course will
save you pain. You tell me that we can b.
friends no longer. can imagine reason 70
this change in your views. 1t is that our init
macy has given rise to remarks that have trou
bled you, and your womanly feeling has take
the alarm"
81 am grateful to you," she said, lookin,
up, Every grateful. was struggling TO max
this explanation, but could never have done s
without your help; and what opinion wou
you have formed of my fckleness!'
"They say" she added in lower tone
''that we are engaged
"Why do you not retort courageousy tina
we are and have been from the ginning, mere
ly friends; that such is our agreement, ou
treaty with each oiher!''
IL