Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-01

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:" An why suld ye propone the like o. that,
Gallant? Is the lass sa mensefu an sleekit, she
Gamma be halted wi Judith McDermot dye
trow? An is Judith McDermot sac smoutie
ye ken my Teddy wad be mair scaithess an
sackless, i the keep O a knave-bairn O. the like
O. you?" said Judith, with increasing pas
sion.
"No, no, good Judith" Clovis replied, &C for
her sake and yours, would have her remove
and you, of course, would have 60 with her.
But | have not time now to give you reasons,
pray you go, good Judith, and take the lady
with you," he added, and turned to depart.
"Why suld we gang? An whaur suld we
be transmogrifed? An why suldna we bide i
my ain biggin?" said she, addressing Clovis,
whose absence she did not perceive until she had
made the last inquiry. INA, na, Teddy, bdc
wi me-bide wi me- she continued, ''and
dinna be Aathered wi the clavers O. ony chap o.
the like o. him. Gin evil suld befa' an belikes
it wad, sair wad it be for Judith McDermot to
ken it cam through ony mislppen O. her ain.
An mair nor that my Teddy, gin yer ain win
some gate hac makit ye over loosome until me
an my gudo-mon, bath McDermot an my main
sell wad be streekit j. the dead-thraw, or ony
wrang suld be dune until ye, an we kenned it.
Sa bide, bide wi me. Our biggin is over
meikle to haud us a."
Clovis met Hartman, to whom he suggested
the necessity fora less exposed position for Mrs.
McDermot and Alice, in case deadly weapons
should need to be employed and from him ex-
tracted promise of such effective interposition
as should secure their immediate removal Then
hurrying to William Belden, he referred him to
Hartman, and enjoined on him strict observ-
ance of secrecy, and obedience to Harriman's
orders.
"0n no account, my boy, disappoint me in
this" said he. eff you do, my heart will
break with ovcrcharged calamity. If you do
not, you shall have an opportunity before long
to tear the tongue of Musgravc out of his lying
throat by the roots, if you will it so. Promise
me, Billy. Your own happiness demands it;
my relief from insuEerable torment requires it.
Promise Promise "
William promised.
"Bnly," continued Clovis, "I am going
away to return again before many hours. If |
do not return, you will meet Musgrave where
he will quail before the eye of aohild. Ransack
his house, search his papers, every nook, corner,
and person with whom he has had to do, till you
find papers that concern yourself. Thispaper,"
said Clovis, at the same time handing to William
a sealed envelope, " will aid you in the search.
Secrete it from every human eye, and promise
me, Billy, that You will not open it unless you
hear that am dead"
" Clovis" said William, in whose eyes tears
were visible, " tell me what mean these earnest
words and manner? What do you propose?"
"To aid you to bring the villain, Musgrave,
to his deserts, . answered Clovis
81 will go with you,' said William.
), "No, no you can best serve your own pur-
pose and mine to remain here. Don't delay me,
for have no time to lose. Promise me solemn
ly you will remain, and that you will, from
this time forth, seek and heed the will of Rolph
as if he were your father and above all that
you will not break that SEAL nor expose it, until
[ de-
William hesitated.
" Billy, promise again demanded the ago
nized Clovis
81 do | do
Clovis grasped his hand, and embracing him
with warm tokens of affection, they separated,
and each went his way-Willam to seek for
Rolph, aud Clovis to the kennel of the dogs.
The last-named point was somewhat remote
from any that was often approached by the
snaggers, excepting when their duties led them
directly to the kennel. Thither Clovis repaired,
and having gained admittance, he closed the en-
trance fast behind him.
The huge mastiAs, whose favorite guardian
he was, had noted each days absence, and with
unmistakable tokens of regard greeted his re-
g turn. A full score of them sprang upon him,
and by whimpers, wagging of tails, rolling in
the dust, and other '' fantastic tricks" evinced
s the faithful attachment of the canine race. But
: none of the accustomed greetings which they
4 seemed to coyet, and expected to meet were re-
f turned by =" master we'll beloved" A few fa-
voritc ones received gentle pat upon their heads
in token of recognition, and then, as if crossed
with unrequited heed, SUNK abashed away.
Clovis observed it; and as some of the "noble
f bloods," retreating slow and moodly, turned
their heads askance, and cast back look of
: reproachful sorrow, he felt the keenness of the
4 rebuke, and half-relentcd of the purpose on
$ which he was bent. Leaning against procc-
Q ting stone, with his head resting on his hands,
he remained some minutes, as if contemplating
: the act he was about to do while his faithful
dogs, either of which, at the faintest whistle
/ would have rushed headlong to greet him, or, if
need should be, to protect him, as if sympathiz-
+ ing with his thoughts, rested on their launches
ut respectful distance, and with their eyes in
t tently ON him, maintained an expressive silence.
:" 1t must be done " at length he said 'sThe
l only faithful friends ever had For the sake
. of two beings dcarer to me than all the world
$ besidc--for the sake of reuenge, dearer to me
than all save them, it must be done Jowler.
$ Bruno, Fangs--all he continued, while the
Q dogs stealthily approached him as he called their
Q names, and licked his hands; :" the only faith
full attachments ever had must be severed.
/ Would that some other hand would do it (!
5 Would that it was done. But dare not trust
to Others to do it. dare not trust that YOU.
g 80 long trained to defend the wrong would. at