Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-11-15

would soften the old mans heart, anEilead him
to recall Albert but not SO. He took into
high favor Rupert Finland, the widows son, a.
bright boy, who was thoncetorth Fredestinated
as the future heir to that vast estate, not only
by the neighbors, but also his mother thought
50.
Then time rolled on his golden cha1iot, and
year after year fled away, till at length sick
ness came to visit the master of Merlyn Hall
He had learned much of the charactero his
daughter in law, yet not until those days of
WEAKNESS and pain did he allow his thoughts
to turn with tenderness to Albert. Then did he
zee how harsh and unkind he had been, and
willingly would he have recalled him, but he
knew not where he was, even if living, and the
certainty of that was denied him.
He knew that shortly after Albert left home
lie had taken the legacy left him by his moth
ers brother, and gone to Europe, and that he
mad since returned, and lived awhile at New
Orleans; because some three years before this
time he had received u letter from him asking
forgiveness This letter he had taken no notice
ct, and now he knew not where Albert might
be How bitterly did he regret his actions
now. But as he felt he was surely Nearing the
unknown future, he at length called aa Attor-
ney, and after having new will drawa up in
ayor'of Albert, he commissioned his Attorney
to write to his son at New Orleans, and assure
him of his fathers repentance, and implore him
to return to his old rights and home, if possi-
sible, before his death.
Then low anxiousy did he await a reply
Vet days and weeks went by but at last there
came letter from Albert himself, saying he
would not lie long delayed in following it, and
two days after, much to the joy of the whole
household, sac one. Albert arrived, accompa-
MED by Eul0oen, whom he introduced as his
daughter, and Lutte, the Quadroon. The
slaves had not Gorgot young Master Albert, and
we're all reoiced at his return, for they felt
there would be reconciliation between father
and son, and 50 th04 ght Mrs. Horace Merlyn,
the only ono who was not pleased with his com
ing. Yet she. knew it would be policy in her
to keep her dissatisfaction to herself, and there
fore no one greeted hins more cordially than
she did.
She could not hel being prepossessed with his
appearance, and when, upon his presenting his
daughter, Mrs. Corydon, tho housekeeper, had
c,;oLl1 ca ii nitl tt,ucb uurnrioa WIN Al
bert, never heard you was married before, y
he had quietly replied " Nevertheless, Mrs.
Corydon, | have been, but this is all my family
consists of now" she had readily concluded
that as he wasa widower she should still retain
her place as mistress, and perhaps
she didn't finish the thought even to herself
Still, when she reflected that he@would now be
the heir, and her boy-thc only being who had
ever yet stirred the fountains of love in her
hcart-must lose what she had so ilong looked
uIon as his, she would have poisoned his fa-
theirs mind against Albert if she could. But
the latter gave her no opportunity of so doing,
even if she had dared to make the attempt, as
he scarcely left him during the few days of bis
life. After his DEATH the reading of the will
confirmed her fears. Albert was declared sole
heir, save some few small bequests,- one Tor
Aer also, with the privilege that she could still
have home ut tho Hall, or return to the
Grove" if she chose The Grove " was
small estate, some ten miles east from the Hall
which had been her first husbands, where she
had lived with him, and where she had, after
his death, become acquainted with Horace Mer
lyn, whom she succeeding in captivating witt
her beauty and her pretentions to amiability.
Her first husband had been q man of intern
perate habits, but of reputed wealth, and a
wealth had been her ambition, even IN he
Young days, she had married him, although
nearly twice hel own age. At his death his of
fairs were found to be in a very critical state
and only the Grove was left after his creditor
were satisfied. This, after her marriage will
Horace, had been secured to Rupert-thus a
Horace's death she had continued to live at th
Hall. and there she had been content to remai
- long as there was the prospect of Rupert be
ing its heir, and herself thus the sole mistress
But now things were changed, and she say
there was but one way in which she could re
gain what she had 50 long considered as al
ready hers That was to win Albertas she ha
done his brother, and this she resolved to do
But to accomplish itshe felt it would not b
best 10 return to the Grove, and neither woul
it do to appear as if she intended to remain q
the Hall, unless she was requested TO do so b
Albert, which she was not mistaken in thnkin
he would do after which she cautiously deter
mined upon her plans.
(To re CONTINUED IN OUR NP1r.)