Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-14

just and improbable to think for moment that
they would Admitting that they did betray
the trust placed in them, the power is still in
the hands of the people to choose men to succeed
them
:" see, Mabel, that the Republican spirit is
an important element Of your nature, and your
arguments are as good as those of many older
politicians; but let US drop this subject for
more interesting one
" know of none, sir, more interesting than
that concerning the freedom of people who
have freely shed their blood to gain for them
selves the boon of Liberty"
There are other subjects more pleasing to me,
Mabel, in which you are intimately concerned.
You can hardly feel safe here, since war has been
declared"
81 know not why, Mr.. Palmer, we should
feel less safe than before
"You are unprotected here-do you not fear
the encroachments of lawless soldiery ?"
:" had not deemed it characteristic of En-
glish troops to war upon defenceless and unot-
Tending females" she replied, with spirit.
You misapprehend me, Mabel. English
troops would scorn to molest you, but the law
less bands who infest these regions are not wont
to respect age or SEX
II do not think the men you refer to will mo-
lest us unless melted to it by the gold of your
| English commanders.
Ah, Mabel, you do not view this matter in
| the light in which see it. Among men Of all
parties, there are some without principle, and
even in New York are hundreds who, at the ap-
proach of our troops, will desert the cause of
this hot-headed and misguided rabble."
"Spare your epithets, sir, at least In my
presence" she replied in quick tone. " They
are not misguided rabble, but as noble a body
OF men as Gods bright sun ever shone upon
The men who would yield at the sight of the
gold which you, sir, would tempt them with,
we do not want. They will have their reward,
and such an one as but few will envy them in
its possession"
Forgive me- Mabel, if have offended you.
spoke somewhat hastily, perhaps"
Certainly she replied, frankly.
81 would not, Mabel, believe me, overate the
danger to you, but it is danger" he exclaimed
earnestly, " and duty bids me warn you of it.
| would protect you with my life, but you seem
not to desire my add
He spoke as if her words had wounded his
feelings.
Mr.. Palmer, am very grateful for your
kind offers, but how are you to accomplish this
what steps would you take to place us beyond
danger?"
Permit me, dear Mabel, to claim this little
treasure as my own," he said, seating himself
and taking her hand within his own. " Hold
ing the position that do in the army, as my
wife no one would harm you or yours"
"Sir," she exclaimed, in a tone of astonsll-
ment, Z" this subject is an unpleasant one. You
have received no encouragement from me to
warrant you in making this avowal.''
! She withdrew her hand as she spoke, and
would have arisen, but he detained her
Mabel" he exclaimed, passionately, " dc
not leave me thus. love you better than litt
itself. Life, wealth, honor-all would will
ingly resign for one smile from you
/" If you have any regard for my feelings, sir
you will discontinue this. | will hear nj
more
"Nay, Mabel, but you must hear me. Th
hours | have spent in your company have beel
the happiest of my life, and had fondly hope'
the love felt for you had awakened CORES
ponding emotion in your own heart. see yo'
surrounded by danger, and would save you, TO
it would be agony to know that you are no
safe from the bands who infest the province
Love me-be mine, Mabel"
"Mr. Palmer, would you claim a hand wher
no heart accompanies it?"
" Yes, Mabel and then | would learn yot
to love me. 1t should be my pleasure to gratif
your slightest wish, and you would never regre
the day you became mime
- 1t is useless. sir, to continue this subject
You have received the only answer | shall Civ
you. and no words of yours can change m
feelings
:" beg you not to give me this as your fina
answer. You may change your views"
"Never. Were it possible for yonder sun t
shine forth in all its splendor in the COON
midnight, then might bid you hope Nor
than this, sir, could never wed one in the pt
sition you occupy"
Mabel" he exclaimed, sudden CLEAN {
hope lighting up his countenauco, "were
throw up my commission and join the America
forces, would you then give me your hand? !"
viii you do this, sir, to gain it?
AYE, would do anything in my power. =
Now indeed, sir, would never give you IN
hand, did my heart prompt me to do it. For
womans love you would desert IA cause yo
think isright, and cover your name with di
grace. Where, sir, is your sense of honor
and look of contempt for the man by her sic
wreathed her features as she spoke.
Spare your sneers, Miss Archer. We
Mark Lincoln to ask your hand, perhaps
would receive different answer. was wron
In thus asking you for your love, for no doul
It is already given
A glance shot athwart his features which hs
made Mabel shudder ere then, and the lig
that cleaned in his eyes sent pang of fear
her heart but in a moment she was cal
again.
Mark Lincoln, sir, never spoke to me
love, and had he done so he would have at lea
put on the demeanor of a gentlemen.
Her words stung to the quick, and sprngir
, lup, he exclaimed in an angry tone
, | In few days or months at the furtheres