Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-11-18

that he restrained himself from entering the
cottage and Furnishing his traducer upon the
spot"
" And you can prove ths?' asked Mabel in
a trembling tone
Aye, and even those he calls parents dare
not deny the fact"
Perhaps your motive is a good one in max
ing these charges against him, but do not be-
lleve it, neither do believe that they arc true.
defy you to prove it. Until you are able to
DO SO, never dare to enter this house again.
" 1t is as | expected, Mabel. knew you
would be indignant, but my words are none the
less true. The time will come when you will
be grateful to me for revealing this thing to
you."
" Ii true, sir, might; but remember, put
no confidence in your assertions"
81 do not ask it until tho proof is before
YOU and then you will learn that my interest
in you has led me to this. Goodnight"
'G Goodnight, sir, said Mabel coldly
The Tory opened the door and passed out
Mark waited until his footsteps had died away,
and then proceeding to the door, knocked for
admittance. No one answered his summons,
and the knock was repeated. A few moments
elapsed, when he heard footsteps within, and q
hand was laid upon the latch.
e" Mark " exclaimed Mabel in tone of Joy
GUS surprise, as she recognized him and extended
her hand, " oh, | am glad you have come"
He pressed the hand to his lips and entered
the cot.
Is it not dangerous for you to venture
here said Mabel, as ho was seated.
1t may be, Mabel yet had the house been
surrounded by foes, could not have remained
away tonight"
elf you should be taken, Mark, while here,
| never -" and a flush sufused her temples
US she hesitated to finish the sentence.
What, Mabel ?" he asked.
Forgive myself for urging you to come.''
II am as liable to bo taken by my enemies
elsewhere, am not Mabel?"
Perhaps yeu are yet something tells me
you are watched by those who seek to do you
harm.
why do you think thus?"
Tonight, ere the sun had set, two men Of
Skinner's company, 7 think, passed here, and
scarce two hours ago, | detected them concealed
behind clump of bushes, watching the house.
"And they are in the vicinity, now " asked
Mark, starting slightly
"No, think not, for they passed by agar
towards the camp"
" You have had visitor tonight have yor
not %
" Palmer ?-yes. How did you learn this :
81 saw him depart"
"And he saw you did he know you wer'
here?" " asked Mabel in a strangely agitatet
tone.
"No, Mabel but why do you tremble thus?
You will forgive me for your weakness
Mark, but am sure he seeks your life."
81 know it, Mabel. 1t was no weakness to
you to think so. He has attempted to depriv
me Of that which is as dear, my repu tation
and when that fails, he cannot hesitate to tax
my life."
Z" You heard all, them"
81 did, Mabel"
"Oh, how false were his words, Mark AM
he tried to put on the garb of friendship, that
mipht haliava tho t,lo ~
" He did not ask you to believe it, until
could prove its truth
But he cannot bring the proof" said Ma
bel in confident tone.
DO you kno,V this?" asked Mark, turnin
his eyes upon her face
81 do not; yet if you were to pronounce
false, his efforts were unavailing to convinc
that it is true
False, Mabel There was never bast
falsehood uttered
81 am satisfied. Do you know why h
should seek to injure you?"
Because he would win youralove2''
, "My love Lops such q man as he ! Ma
} heaven save me from tho fate Of being his wifi
| have secret dread Of Palmer
"Do you know, Mabel, shat What brougl
me here tonight wasthe presentiment tn
some evil was to befal one of us--a stran,
feeling that this would be our last meeting ?
: "Our last '" she murmured trembling.
, " Do you believe, Mark that these present
ments are sometimes sent to warn us of comir
| evil?"
3 81 know not whether to believe them.
7 has been thus, and yet, in many instances tn
. are no indications of the result that may bef
u.s."
, "And yet this may be one of those iustant
3 in which they prove true" said Mabel in sa
dened tone.
r Would it cause you one moments 81
row?'
, "Do you doubt it? Isolated as we are frc
society, our intercourse has been very pleasa
, to me.
$50 pleasant that you would like to have
continue forever?' asked Mark in low to
81 do not understand you, Mark"
@ {" As my own, dear Mabel, what but de,
could separate, save for season -
" Not that, Mark; am not worthy to
your wife, said Mabel, tear starting fr
her eye.
n 4" Your nature is too pure, too noble, for {
i like my own and yet, Mabel, | have dared
hope that our affections were mutual Am
It wrong, Mabel -
81 can but answer you are not, Mark "
/; And yet you have only my assurance ii
u the words of him who had just left you are ,
true
It "Did doubt them, were unworthy yc