Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-29

And drawing her to seat beside him, he
continued: ''Did you miss me very much,
dear Mabel 2"
"Oh yes indeed tt seemed as If the spring
time never would come. -
=" Thank you, it is in vain to tell how
much longed to see you, or how oft asked
myself, if death should claim me, would you
weep for me?
"Anddid you wrong me with such thought,
Ernest?" she said, reproachfully.
Forgive me, was selfish. felt you would
weep, but
/" But what?"
" You know, Mabel, though you call me
brother, yet am not your brother"
True, Ernest; but I love you just as if you
weret'
" And is it only as a brother that you love
me? Have you never been glad that you were
not my sister, Mabel ?"
I" No Ernest, why?"
But the look of eagerness passed from his
face, and one of sadness succeeded. Nothing,
nothing; was deceived he replied, in a
changed tone.
Have deceived you {? " said Mabel.
"Nay, l deceived myself"
I" But how, Ernest will you not tell me -
tits better, as it is, should say no more
Gas what is? do not understand you ="
"Asi is thatyou love me only as brother -
sudden blush mantled her cheek as she
asked : "Do you wish me to love you better
than that?"
Do wish it, Mabel? 1t was the happicst
moment of my life when your father told me
you was not my sister, You know not how I
was tormented, when l thought that another
would one day claim you; but when 1 knew
tho truth, my feelings were all explained O!
how sweet was the revelation, though sad in
one respect, that those had ever regarded as
parents were not. But the joy of knowing
could now love you with love nearer and dear
er than that of brother, overcome that sadness
Now dear Mabel" he continued, encircling
her waist with his arm, and drawing her near
er now that have tested this love with
time and absence, and find it lasting as the hills
will you tell me if you can return it? l have
your parents consent; so do not fear to tell
me"
"She turned her face away, but made nc
reply.
&" Is there then no hope, dear Mabel ?"
I think there is" she replied, suddenly turn
ing towards him face which wore happy
smile, " for fear have been guilty of loving
my brother too well, though I never knew il
till to-day"
" You do love me then as I wish?''
We will not wait to hear the answer, read
er, as you may wish to know who Mabel is.
Mabel Dean was the only child of the clergy
man settled in the town of -, whittier h,
had removed from Massachusetts,, with his wifi
and child, and Ernest Carrol-who had beer
left to his care, at the age of ten, by an early
friend. She was frail, delicate girl, neve
having enjoyed good health. Mabel would not
have been called beautiful, yet she was so un
complaining, and possessed SO much sweetnes
of disposition, that all loved her. We hay
introduced her the next morning after Ernest
return from his second journey to Canada
Her parents sanctioned the wishes of Ernest
but it was decided that their union should no
take place till there were more signs of peac
than at present.
In June, l776, General Gates was appoin
ted to the command of the army at Crow
Point; where 1t had returned after the disas
trous result of the expedition into Canada.
Beside the expense of putting Ticonderoga i
a situation for defense, another object drew tn
attention of the army. To preserve the CON
mand of Lake Champlain, it was necessar
there should be considerable naval force I'll
Americans, therefore, set about accomplshin
this. 1t was an arduous task, for the timbt
was to bo cut, and dragged from the woods
the lake shore, and much of their stores, amml
milton, artillery, and most of their materia
for naval equipment, were to be brought fro
great distances, over roads almost impassabl
The absence Of suitable means of transports
tion, lso,made the removal of weighty article
very tedious. and many things much needt
could not be obtained.
Yet, Notwithstanding all these dificulte
such was the determination, energy, and indu
try Of these men, that, y the 18th of Angus
a considerable naval force was equipped.
consisted of fifteen vessels of different sizes; IL
, largest mounting only twelve six and fo,
, FOUNDERS. This armament was manned vii
, three hundred and ninety-seven men, and ii
command of it was given to Gen. Arnold.
, During all this time, Gen. Carleton had n
been idle; but following the instructions of Il
British Ministry, to effect junction with Il
army of New York by way of the Lake ar
Hudson river, he had also constructed flee
which was commanded by Captain Pringle,
| sea officer of much experience, and manned
, with select body of seaman animated with
extreme desire of victory. Before giving
account of the engagement, between these rv
, squadrons, let us turn to some of our chara
9 ters, of whom we have almost lost sight.
Since Nora's acquaintance with Percy W,
lace, sho had felt more and more ayerse TO
union with Jason, and whenever he made a
allusion to it, as he often did, seeming to rega
it ss an event that would certainly take pa,
she frankly told him that she could never &C
sent to it. But Jason, with strange Der
t nacity, seemed to regard her assertion of
e consequence.
When he heard of Fcrcys stay there,