Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-22

IrettV Ellen, pretCy Iuuge, just as much.
| tell you Jason, don't ever think of her, | have
blackened my soul too much for the sake of
your obtaining this property, to have you dis
appoint me, and if you don't marry Nora I'll
curse you forev-"
"Spare your curses father, and don't fear;
am determined to wed Nora whether she loves
mo or not; and I tell you father, Jason Malcott
is not to be thwartcd by woman"
That is right, boy. If she avoids you it is
sure sign she loves you.''
They were now near tho house and Jason
made no reply. Stopping they dismounted and
after leading their horses to their shelter they
entered thesdwelling. Aunt Lena was 'busify
engaged in arranging the table eas the door open
ed. There was nothing very cordial in the
greeting on either side for Lena Morris, like
Nora, had little respect or love for James Nal
colt or his son.
Disposing of his cap, Jason enquired, Z" where
is Nora, but at that moment she entered. He
started forward and extending his hand said.
HOW lares my pretty cousin
" She is well' returned Nora. The haste
with which she withdrew her hand while it
convinced him she had little love for him, also
provoked him and passing his arm quickly
around her waist, he rudely kissed her. Start
ing back, while the blush of Indignation man
tied her cheek, she cast such a look of reproach
and scorn on him that the light words already
trembling on his tongue were silcnced and turn
ing he took a seat at the tea table. As Nora
glance from her uncle which made her shudder
with dread.
The meal passed with little conversation. At
its close Jason rose and went out, while Malcott
turned to Nora and said, Z" Nora am sorry to
see you treat Jason thus and want to know what
you mean by ?"
:" 1 do not know but have treated him well
enough, Uncle, as well at least as he treats me. :"
"Think you SO, was it anything out of the
way that young man should kiss his cousin"
81 do not know as there was, but did not
want any of Jasons familiarities.
"Well can tell you, girl, the time is COM
ing when you be glad of his caresses and his
protection, too, and you may wish then you had
not shown such airs as you have to-day. Re-
member to let me sec no more of them
At the hour for retiring and after the elder
Malcott had gone to his room, and Lena and
Nora arose for the same purpose, Jason said, "
have few words to say to you Nora" and
drawing her back to her chair he continued,
turning to Lena who was waiting in the door.
I" Do not wait will not keep her long" And
as she disappeared he began, " Nora | fear you
do not love me as we'll as you ought to one
that's to be your husband"
One that's to be my husband" quickly
repeated Nora, " What do you mean Jason.
!, " mean that the fates and good angels, il
, there be such, have decreed that we two shall
+ wed each other"
"And when was you informed of this decree?'
said Nora.
go a long time ago, but have waited un
d til l thought you old enough to understand i
0 before told you, and now when shall we fl,
8 the day."
e Jason Malcott, the day will never be ixe'
that marry you"
: "Why? what's the reason, Nora?" an
y reaching forward he took one hand which la,
G upon her lap.
: But it was quickly withdrawn and she said
# " Because do not love you as l ought to Low
d one l marry"
Fie, Nora, you are too young to kno,
o what love is.
Perhaps am, but if do not, it would b
Q sin to love you"
| What sin Nora?'
"You are my cousin, Jason, and Cod"
God there is no God, Nora, the idea of sue
1t being aint anything but an old woman
J. whim.'
J, 60, Jason how can you talk So
if Because it is SO, we've got this life to live
d and that's all, when we die that's the end of u
rs l shant trouble myself about anything furth'
r, and shall do as please here, mean to be hal
u py, too, and shan be happy unless have yo
for wife So"
I'd "That will never be, Jason l cannot mari
IN you"
r 8" Yes you can and you must Nora
m &C cannot ever consent to such a thing"
at I" Nora, you WiH consent when tell you
lg was your mothers wish that you should mar,
IS me-"
to "My mothers wish !" cried Nora, in asto
shmeIt.
as Eyes"
nt Never" cried Nora, starting up -" L
in mother neuer said such Words
I" At this moment the door of her Uncle
er room opened and he appeared Coming to HI
it side he said, Nora have heard what has pai
to cd, and come to tell you that what Jason h
,u said is true. Your mother told me, the day S
ry died, that she wished you to marry my son /,
nd you both lived
re go! Uncle, unsay those words ! they m,
n not be true"
hit mora, you are excited now and will thi
ry differently in the morning go to bed we W
he talk of this tomorrow
She waited not second bidding, but Ac
Id rather than walked up stairs to her chamb
1T Throwing herself into Aunt Lsna's arms, W
lb- sat by the window, she sobbed convulsvely
re Aunt Lena let her weep till she grew calm
then raising her head she kissed away her te
ed and said "What is it, Nora ?"
ed 40, Aunt did my mother wish me to W
int Jason ?''
Why, Nora?"