Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-09

anu dHectlondte 10 you.
Kind, Mabel" repeated Mrs. Archer,
while the tears came into her eyes, 81 never
saw one who seemed to devote himself so much
to making his wife happy, as your father; but
he died when he was looking forward to a long
life of happiness And such death -
She stopped, and pressed her hands upon her
eyes, as if she were trying to shut out some
fearful vision.
"What was it, dear mother?"
He perished upon the scafold! " replied
Mrs Archer IN husky tone.
Mabel's head dropped upon her bosom, and
but for the support of the couch, she would
have fallen from her chair. Mrs. Archer took
her hand within her own, but it was strangely
cold.
"Mabel Mabel (" she exclaimed, "speak to
mel"
There waa no answer. Her eyes were closed,
and the heaving bosom, whish but y few mo-
ments before betrayed her agitation, had ceased
to move. At that moment Cato appeared in
the doorway, and calling him to her bedside,
she ordered him to procure her some restoratves
from cupboard near. This done, she COM
menced bathing her temples, while Cato chafed
her hands. She soon opened her eyes, but
closed them with a shudder as she beheld her
mothee bending over her.
| "Cato," said Mrs. Archer, run to the
neighbors and summon them here
mo, no, rlother; it was only momentary
faintness, said Mabel as she heard this.
"Do you feel strong enough to rise -
eyes, replied Mabel, rising from her re-
cumbent position. 8" am quite well now.
You can go, Cato
Cato went out, and Mabel having replaced
the restoratives, resumed her seat by the bed
side.
"You can go on now," she SAID in tone so
strangely calm that it sent chill to her
mothers heart.
} Had you not better wait till tomorrow p
| fear the excitement you have laborcd under
has untitled you to hear the rest
7 81 am strong, now far stronger than | was
, before, and you need have no fears of telling
me. wish to know all. Oh, that you had
told me this when its knowledge would not
have sent such a pang to my soul
, Forgive me, Mabel, that have not done it
ere now"
81 do !; but you know not how heavy the
| blow has fallen upon me''
5 My early childhood" began Mrs. Archer,
was passed in the town of -, a large
a seaport on the coast of England I had always
s lived surrounded by wealth, with servants at
my command to do my slightest bidding. My
: father died when was but mere child, SO
that remember but little of him save that he
was rarely at home and when he came he al
ways brought me some present from distant
land, as he was engaged in bringing goods from
4 other nations to the town where he resided.
4 When was eighteen my mother died, and
was left the sole heir to an immense property
n Although l had always had whatever desired
= yet the wealth with which was endowed gav
.o me but little pleasure further than to suppl,
my actual wants, for cared nothing for tn
gorgeous display with which | had always beel
:, surrounded.
ia Among the visitors which often called at ou
n residence, previous to my mothers death, wer
two men occupying the position of Lieutenant
in the English Navy. Both were possessed of
superior education, both my equals in wealth
II but in personal appearance and disposition the
II were totally dissimilar.
Claude the eldest of the two, was possesse
# of more beauty than ever saw revealed in tn
70 face of man before. Brilliant and witty in con
II versation, his company was sought after by all
and when duty permitted him to come ashore
he mingled in the most aristocratic circles in tn
town. But alas, beneath the beautiful exit
20 rior which his Maker had given him, was
- heart whose inmost thoughts were evil. II
possessed, as | have said, superior education
IA but instead of using it for the benefit of thos
>, with whom he associated, he only exercised h
:, talents to promote his own selfish ends. Yet Il
one knew this. no one even suspected it, save
r few companions with whom he was won't
or mingle in scenes of revelry an debauch
~ society he was the eloquent champion Of virtu
and his sarcastic and stnging rebukes of vi,
in every form, won for him the respect of al
The other, who was named Charles, was f
E. different. He did not possess the finely chisolt
od features which so many admired in Claude b,
Al h., l.; i r
which won HIM friends. His education was n
inferior to the first have mentioned, thoue
this was not evident save to those who becan
.. intimately acquainted with him. He talk
but little. but when he did 30 he was sure
, have attentive listeners, all being charmed
s,, the rich flow of thought which he was capab
of uttcring. Those who knew him best reco
'' nized within principle which, while it dcspi
ed every open sin, would scorn to cherish pl
ok vate vice.
''o A year passed, and Charles was promoted
the rank of First Lieutenant in a squadr,
'o" which was to be sent against the French
could see ever after this that there was not tn
cordiality Of feeling which had before existe
w. although it was only visible in the conduct
'h' Claude. The visits at our house now becaI
more frequent, and one evening Claude ask
''' my hand in marriage. know not why it W,
but while others appeared to entertain SO hi
'up an opinion of his character with me he W
nts not fyorite. Always as gazed on his ST
my passingly beautiful features, something told
In, that it WAS like the voice Of syren, which fl
ing charms, then destroys its victim. inform
off him that could not marry him, and thou
ays he said little ut the time, could see he v
N deeply offended. Yet was conscious of h,