The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-05-15

! Delt over HSI Us sit y POht. II WIS pam
Sir Charles was not anxious for the in
valid's recovery.
- Poor Veronica ~ Lillian said to her
self hundred times that morning; and
yet she seemed to feel her absence re-
lief-she knew not how or wherefore.
How anXiOusly she watched dark,
portentous cloud that rolled slowly from
the west as dinner was announced. But
she would not believe that n shower was
at hand, as she ordered the horses. More
than once during the interminable meal
she looked anXiOusly toward the Win
dow, TO watch its progress. Her father
chided her more than once for her
thOughtlessness, and once looked almost
angrily towards her, as her trembling
hand spilled the wine she was raising to
her lips. ii was just as her ear caught
the first long, low muttering of the far
Off storm. Ii was sweeping down in all
its wrath, when Sir Charles was releas-
ed from hisattendance upon Mr.. Vernon,
and Joined her in the drawing-rOom.-
There was no denying it now the ride
must be given up-and glOOmilN enough
they watched the horses led away.
But. after ALL it was a very pleasant
evening There was n sense Of comfort
when the rain beat against the windows
when the heavily-draped curtains eX-
cluded all but the voice Of the storm;
for the fire which the chilliness of the
day made grateful, blazed ciIeerily up
ward. Sir Charles sat near his fair host
css. and watched the colOrs that her
skillful hands mingled in delicate en-
brOidery over which she bent. They
did not talk much, but the silence was
not oppressive and, as the evening
came on, Lillian sang the simple bal
lads he could so well remember, when
she first commenced to mingie the rich
notes of her voice with the melody OF
the Tight guitar.
Lillian started at last, with feeling
OF sell-reprOach, thai she mad left Yer
onica alone SO long and then the for
nal separation was exchanged for the
hrefer goodnight which may lee
made to say much. With all her re-
morseful pangs, Lillian did NOT Iinger
longat the bedside of the fretful invalid,
and when in her own room, the little
casket was held once more in her hands.
She awolle the next morning, with
that half-dreamy, Yet underlined con-
I sciousness that something pleasant had
occurred, which all can recognize; and
when she remembered why She was glad
( to see the cheerful sunshine come
streaming into her room, she sprang
from her couch. aud commenced a hur-
ricd toilet.
Veronica's fever had not abated ; in
deed, a sleepless, restless night had
quickened her already rapid pulse, and,
though she mOened impatiently at the
durance. she was obliged to give up all
thought of breaklasting below.
Least something might again frus-
trate their project, Sir Charles petition
cd a morning ride. How very beauti-
full Lillian was. H. she came bounding
down the stone steps, with childlike,
graceful movement, her habit gathered
over her arm. to caress the noble steed
that acknowledged the hand OF his gen
tie mistress.
Sir Charles could have kissed the dain
ty foot he held for an instant in his
hand, as she vaulted 10 the saddle; and
in one moment more they were lost in
the green vista that opened before them.
Thay did not know from what a wild,
strange gaze they were thus hidden
but the ''evil eyes, were those Of We
rOnica, whose lips trembled rs she fell
back once more upon her pillow.
The spell could not pursue them, that
cloudless sun-bright morning. The air
was loaded with fragrance from the
blooming hedges, and the rich clover
fields BIZ which they passed a bird-sOng
trilled through the copse before them,
and far away the smOke-wreaths of the
hamlet curled lazily upward. There
was excitement to horse and rider, rs on
they swept, Lillian's curls floating back
with the dark plume that fell upon her
shoulders. and her ewes sparkled with a
clear, JOYOUS light, Sir Charles had not
seen i'm MANY a day After a time their
road lay through an old forest, where the
sunlight and bird song were sofJened
while, almost unconseiously, they rein
cd their steeds, and side by side rode on
more quietly.
.. What q time 10 the grand old wood o. toll
The love tlat with a steady current weilti
From his heart, that knew uausht but love
her
As they rode there. beneath the crowded fir .-
There was enchanhnent in the very
atmosphero-in the solemn emerald
light, in the soft shadows that trembled
across their pathway. Then they heard
the murmur of a little brook, and Sir
Charles dismounted, while his steed
bent to drink. II was a pleasant, gras-
sy glade, through which the brook
sparkled and Lillian needed no second
Invitation to rest awhile in its shade
But she gathered wild fiOWers-while
Sir Charles stood beside her only to
crush them-and quite unconsciously
dipped that pretty foot into the stream
before her. Imprudent Lillian
At last she was again seated in the sad
die, and she gathered the reins through
her slender hands. But Sir Charles did
not seem disposed to yield them, and
stood leaning against a beech-tree, and
looking up into the fair face that bent
over him.
Do you know what happy dream
| had, y he said, at length las we sat on
the bank together? 1t was memory of
DAYS long vanished, when a blue-eyed
fairy child first stood trembling with
fear. at mounting a steed like this. |
saw those blue eyes fill with tears, and
turn to me beseechingly. Once more |
comforted the trembler, and lifted her
to the saddle. Once more | placed the
reins in hands almost too tiny to grasp
them, and led the steed along with one
of those little hands resting upon my
shoulder Then there was a sweet voice
called me Dear Charlie and | forgot
for a moment that | could not take the
child in my arms, as / then held her
that she was woman now, and the
pledged wife of another. Dear Lillian,
forgive me if | envy him."
.iWho? OF whom do you speak,
Charles ?"
"The child is here no longer-of you,
anu VI Jul bS'AO'A-NNf 49, - - -
verton.'
"My betrothedl You are dreaming
nOlo.'
Would that | could find it dream.
But [ know full well who claims this
hand :" and he kissed it involuntarily
as he spoke.
Lillian did not withdraw her hand;
her curls hid the sudden crimson of her
cheek, as she bent forward, and whisper
ed:
:" [ see it all now-she lied to yOu !"
And you are not to be his bride ?n
Neverl / would die firstu'
- Dear Lillian! ~ and his arm encir-
cled her as of old.
Her head bent still lower; her heart
beat very fast with mingled emotions
of excitement and happiness.
The birds heard strange tales that day
in Hollywood Forest; and they might
have whispered that bride was won be-
meath its shadow. But they could not
tell the angry malice of one burning
heart, when its treachery was discover
ed and Veronica found, with all her ~
ing tales and covert eneers, she could not
separate Lillian from her betrothed. 1t
was indeed she who had placed the bar
,:or hafuoan thaya of their meeting.