Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-22
M1iseeIlaup.
Written for the Green Mountain Freeman.
NORA MONTELLE;
THE MYSTERY UNVEILED.
CHAPTER l.

Winter wreath purer than her mind;
The dew drop trembling to the summer sun
Is like her smile bright, transient heaven refned
Mfrs. Pearson.
1t was near the close of lovely day in Aug.
the year ITS, that we will ask the readers at
tention The sun was slowly descending the
western horizon, and throwing his fsrewell
beams Ter the thick woods that bordered a small
clearing in the then improving town OF b.
Near the center of the clearing stood small
house, built something in the unceuth style of
old country houses. 1t had a neat comfortable
appearance, and one end was gracefully shaded
with few tall ems. Stretching away upon
the other side was field from which the stumps
had not all been removed, where q few cattle
and sheep were quietly feeding Another field
which had been longer under cultivation, lay
back of the dwelling, through which flowing
river took its way. The plaintive song of the
wood minstrels, as they warbled lay for the
days departure, fell with soothing influence on
the ear of young girl seated at an open win
dow on the west side of the house. Let us de-
scribe her. Nora Montelle had just entered her
eighteenth year, lovely being with deep hazel
eyes, fair complexion and little rosebud mouth,
(which with the saucy dimples that dwelt in
either cheek, could call up the loveliest smile
imaginable Her hair, parted away from the
smooth brow and falling in natural ring lets
around the white neck, was of that beautiful
hue, 50 often described as gold in the sunshine
and brown in the shade. Purity, gentleness and
frmness were written on her lovely features
She was frank, cheerful and affectionate, un-
assuming in her manners and yet she possessed
dignity and selfpossession seldom seen in one
of her age. Hers was heart capable of the
keenest feelings and mind of deepest thought
though its cultivation had, of course, been re-
stricted in accordance with that of those days
The room in which she was seated was taste
fully, though plainly furnished, as was also the
adjoining one from which lady now entered
She passed to the side of the young girl, laid
her hand caressingly upon her shoulder and en-
,quired. s g What troubles you, Nora, why ART
you SO still?"
'I was wishing, Aunt Lena, my parents OIL
my brother were living! it was wrong know
but could not help it" and she raised hel
eyes confdingly to the face bent over her. Tha
face though very far from beautiful, yet had {
sweet engaging expression. Her eyes were darl
as was also the hair drawn away from her brow
where time and perhaps sorrow had not neglec
ted to leave few lines her age might hay'
been, thirty-eight and she might have bee
younger, for " there was something in her lool
and mien, betokening sorrow mixed with heav
emily joy"
Drawing chair to Nora's side she seate
herself and replied Yes, Nora, since Go
saw fit to remove your loved ones it is wrong
murmur or question His decree your life thu
far has had many blessings and trust will hay
many more"
" know, dear Aunt, | am thrice blest in ha'
ing so kind friend to take the place of IN
mother as you have been, and will try not b
50 ungrateful again If could only love U I
Gle as do you, and not have such feelings {
fear mixed with my thoughts of i'm, shoul
be always happy"
Have you no such feelings in regard
your cousin Jason p asked Aunt Lena.
g Yes 'tis nearly the samo. | feel as if som
evil hung about me when they are at home, an
to-day this is more oppressive than before.
wonder what it means. v
"Not anything, Nora, think; you must N
allow yourself to indulge such feelings; look u
on the bright side and then all will be brigh
but your Uncle and cousin will be here soon
they come to night And rising she passe
INTO the next room and commenced preparatio
for the evening meal. Nora soon followed he
and there we will leave them and proceed to i
troduce two other individuals.
Taking the road which led by the house al
soon after entering the woods, we should So
meet two horsemeu slowly approaching the clea
ing. The elder of the two was dark, ste
looking man about fifty years of age, with tn
peculiar expression about the mouth betokenil
strong unbending will. His name was Jam
Malcott The other, from his resemblance
the former, would readily be taken for his sol
and such indeed he was. Jason Malcott W
rather progressing in appearance, and mig
have been called handsome, but for certa
sinister look his countenance always WORE
As they drew nearer to the opening the cid
turned to his son and said, " Jason, think
time you made Nora acquainted with what's
be her destiny, and don't care how soon y
are married. AS times are now it is neeessa
for us both to be gone the most of the time a
no knowing what may happen while we q
away II any of those rascally Green Mou
tain Boys should get sight of her, they mig
cause you trouble, and in case you don t maj
her YOU cannot be owner of this land unless s
dies"
81 know it, father and have thought wor
let her know, but she avoids me 80 much | ca
get chance. | wish you would break the 81
iect for me, and tell her it was her Mothe
wish
Nonsense, Jason; when was young | lil
no better fun than telling the girls | lo'
them. You aint much like me if you are il
hearted in such affairs
"Like enough father; perhaps it was cas-
for YOU to love them than it is for me to l'
Nora fear rather than love her, but