The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-11-11

sllenced, and an lneXpresslble emotion
took possession of him. The sons
he had heard the first time he hac
seen Charlotte; and, afterward, in the
early days of their Union, she had re
peated it TO him thousand times. The
voice Of Madame dc Nugel acted OF
him, with magical power, and built
mp again the fallen edifce of his
happiness. In listening to it, he saw
again the vine clad cottage in which
they lived at Prague, the garden with
its bower clematis and its borders o.
yiolets. He saw himself again young
confding, Joyous. 1t was like an evo-
cation of all that there had been Of
tenderness and happiness in his past
life.
Madame de Nugel had long quilted
the piano, yet the Major was still
standing in the same spot, his arms
crossed and his head bowed He was
drawn from his reyerie 10y the voice 0.
William, announcing to him that the
hour Of midnight had just struck. He
took the arm of Madame de Nugel
without observation this time and
went to the church with the rest Of the
party
There is in this solemn act which
binds together forever two beings
upon earth, and destines them to live
for each other, religious character
which moves all hearts; but it is for a
father especially that the nuptial GER
emony has something grand and touch
ing. 1t is an abdication of all rights
over the child whom he has reared
and whose happiness he confdes
hentcforth to another. The emotions
which the Major had just experienced
disposed him particularly to these ten
der feelings; 50 that he could not res
traip his tears when he heard the min
lister pronounce the consecrated for
mula which gave his daughter to vii
liam BY an involuntary movement
his eyes sought those of Madame dc
Nugel. She had concealed her face in
her hands and was sobbing.
This community of feelings annihi-
lated whatever of resentment there
might still have remained in the SOU
of the Major.
After all, thought he, it is her moth
er.
This idea melted him. Her mother
and she was there, as a stranger, un.
der a false name Her mother! and
her presence was not even a Joy pure
and perfect for Dorothy; for it re
minded her that the hottest ties might
be brokcn-that all the happiness
dreamed Of by her and William might
end in separation and hatred The
Major felt his heart oppressed, as if by
IL weight of remorse, and when hi'
daughter rose-her hand clasped il
William she lowered his eyes &c
avoid the gaze.
Meanwhile they left the church tho
guests embraced the newly married
couple, and went to their respective
homes.
Dorothy had placed her arm within
her fathers, William gave his to Mad
anne de Nugel and all four arrived al
the house of the Major.
They found the music room still illu
minated, the piano open, the violin
hanging at the desk, and the portrait
which seemed to smile on these
ST. rs of festiyity.
Madame de Nugel now advanced
towards the Major. She was pale, and
her voice trembled.
II Is Nlillt lpI no W liditj saw HHS
farewell, Monsieur, and let me thank
You for having allowed me to pass
your threshold. Do not think, how
ever, that it was my own wish to af
tlict you by my presence. If l hav'
come, it is because l could not resis
/ the PRAYERS of this child. | wished
that she should not appear at the alta
rs an orphan; but that in the most sol
emn act of her life she should find II
both near her to bless her. Pardon
me for having presented myself with
out your permission, and for having
taken advantage of day accorded t.
our child. st. Leonard's Day is over
Monsieur; you are going to becom
master again going to enter into pos
session of the isolation which yol
choose.
Farewell said she, 90 you VIII
love me still and whom / shall see n
more | carry away the memory G
this day as consolation for all m
future ife-but do you try to forget i
Close again that piano, which has nc
been opened for so long time-coye