Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-07

1
with apologies for having Kept it SO long. The
box contained a ring Of MASSIVE gold, and Kitty
looked to her VISITOR for an explanation. He
told her that he had been commissioned by his
friend to make purchases, which were saesigned
for present to herself; that the ring box was
by mistake put into his own package, which he
had not discovered until the other articles were
sent, and as he found no safe opportunity of
forwarding it, decided to keep it until he eshould
make his accustomed hunting excursion up the
river, when he promised himself the pleasure of
calling upon her.
Kitty was still nystifed; she repl i'd td Mr..
Brown that she had received no other articles,
and had no reason to suppose that she had been
remembered by his friend. Then she heard of
Sans devotion to herself, and of his intention
of returning to Brooks Mill as soon as his
school had ended. How unlike the account
which Crawford had given her.
At the mention of him her visitor started,
saying that it was the name Of the man who
had called for the package-that he had repre-
sented himself as coming at Sans request, as
he was going directly to Brooks Mill that the
CLEAN of his eye was bad, and his story incon-
sistent as he told of Sans sudden departure for
sea, and that, together with the strangeness of
the event, gave him strong suspicious that he
had been unfairly dealt with.
Kitty had grown cold and stern, with the pur-
pose she had resolved to fulfill, but the assur-
ance of her lover fidelity unsealed the food
gates of feeling, and she was again living and
hopeful.
Crawford's duplicity was evident; should she
confront him with the ring, and charge him with
his guilt? Her spirit was sublued by suffering,
and she shrunk from it,
She dreaded also to encounter the displeasurc
Of her father, and in her emergency consulted
Paul Carter, on whose friendship she had ever
relied. lie penetrated the schemes of Crawford
! by means which he had previously known, COM
bined with the new light which had just been
thrown upon them, and directed her to appear
as if nothing had happened, and he would find
means to take Crawford out of the settlement,
before the knot could be tied. She did 50, but
avoided every opportunity of seeing Crawford
alone. The day appointed for the wedding ar
rived, bringing the minister and invited guests,
and her heart sunk with the fear that her friend
would be delayed. She retired to her little
room in the loft, and throwing open the win
fdow, looked anxfousiy down thtfpHrN stnieh leo
to the river.
Her father called. her several times, bdt she
put him off with excuses. At length she heard
an exclamation of impatience, and his heavy
step upon the stairs. Trembling with fear, she
sprang to the opening and descended in view of
the astonished guests for in place OF bridal at
tire was her every day dress, and her hair,
which had been disheveled by the wind fell in
confusion over her face and shoulders.
Peter liohman's face grew black with rage
and Crawford's pale with fear.
What does this mean, girl?" exclaimed
the former, anging his heavy hand upon her
shoulder and sha ing her roughly.
Her courage was restored by that rude touch.
e" 1t MEANS" she said firmly L" that will never
be James Crawford's wife,"
Then the minister stepped forward '' Young
woman, )" said he, " this is very singular con.
duct. thus to mock the feelings of your fiicndl
/, and the man who loves you"
Kitty trembled at those solemn words, wher
u at that moment Paul Carter stopped bis tall fig
ure at the low doorway, and strobe uprightly
into the room. lie was followed by two men
one of whom produced warrant for the ap
prehenson of James Crawford, who was charg
with stealing lumber which had escaped from
, Smiths boom in the spring
Crawford in his first surprise exhibited gull
: in his expression, but he soon rallied and de-
cared that it was base scandal.
He departed wite the officers leaving tn,
guests to talk over the strange event.
Paul Carter enlightened them with the par
) tculars. He had discovered the theft at tn,
' time, and thought Of charging Crawford witt
it, but as it was dsagreeable had not done SO
and had it not been for his treachery towar,
Iudian Sam it would never have been know
through him.
Crawford had been guilty of many acts o
meanness and oppression, and Sam was gene
= raj favorite, 50 although the company misse
the pleasure of wedding, they were not dIsap
pointed.
= The rage and disappointment of Peter lioh
y man were unbounded. Kttys friends woul
' not trust her with him alone, and she went wit
Paul Carter and his wife to their cabin.
a Solitude and an empty bottle reduced her ia
If thers temper, and he called there at the end {
l. several days to beg her to return. Her friend
N would have dssuaded her, but all his brutalit
had not destroyed her affection for him, an
J. she still entertained hopes of his reformation.
ID He suffered long and severe sickness, OWN
1T partly to his previous bad habits, and partly
y the want of that stimulus to which he ha
lg been 80 long accustomed. During 1t all kltt
IN nursed him with the most untirng sweotnc
" and patience, and he was not unmoved by it.
Id lie was free from the presence of his temple
I'd and had abundant opportunity to reflect on h
'p past course. Kitty's hopes were fulfilled, &
lie he did repent, with an agony of bitterness, ar
as made resolutions for the future which he nev
Sc broke.
of His property was wasted and his health gor
and he grew 50 gentle and sefdenyfng that
p was pitlable to see him. Kitty found it We
u blessed to work for him, very sweet to recei
a his fatherly tenderness, and his little attemI
cd to care for and relieve her.
IN The people of that little community did n