Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-03-07
wRIrTEN ron THE VERMONT Puu.Hi1.
THE STORY or THE CLEARING
BY HARRY CLYDE KENT

| THE SIORl or THE CLE1RING
BY HARRY CLYDE KENT.
We often hear the remark that broken
hearts, like perfect men and women, exist
only in the pages of romance, or the fertile
brain of the novel writer. The following
narrative, founded upon facts ascertained by
the writer, may perhaps lead to the belief
that rcui life may at times have its blighted
lives and broken hearts. tell you the tale
as it was told me by one who was well ac-
| quaintcd with the facts which appear toward
the close Of the narrative aud the other state
mcnts learned 10y subsequent inquiry were
substantially true.
1t was among the Green Mountains of Yer
mont, far up on the course of one Of those
| pure mountain streams that are there SO
abundant We had spent the morning, my
friend the doctor, and !, in fishing up this
! lovely stream, and, rs the sun had now passed
the meridian, we were resting with baskets
| well filed with speckled trout in little clear
ing far from any human hnbitation. The
| clearing was of not more than one or two
acres in extent, and upon one side Of it. lit
| tie distance from the stream, was n pile Of
slabs, logs ami stone, showing that man had
been there for other purposes than single
days sport.
As we sat beneath the shade Of giant ma
| pie, quietly smoking our cigars with the
double purpose of enjoying the fragrant
weed and protecting ourselves from the thou
sands of hungry insects around, the doctor
abruptly asked, Chris, would you like to
hear the romantic story connected with this
clearing and yonder pile of decaying tim
Der Z"
Upon my answering in the affirmative he
proceeded to relate the following narrative,
which give in nearly his own words.
| Several years ago there lived in the town
Of , in Connecticut, wealthy farmer
named Hammond, or, ns the townspeople
called hiu, Squire Hlmmund, whose only
child, daughter OF srveut, en- was the pride
aud pet Of the little village. With her quiet,
winning ways she was equally at home in the
| poorest cottage Of the place and in her owu
beautiful home overlooking the Sound. No
one knew her bus to love her, and she loved
each in return with the love which one of a
kind and gentle nature ever feels toward all
mankind, yet 10 one among her many admir-
ers had excited a stronger passion than this
in her heart until the arrival of Arthur Elton
in their quiet village.
The son of wealthy parents, he had en-
joyed the best advantages for gaining kuowl-
edge and, unlike too many in like circum-
stances, had made good use of his opportun-
tiles Good use we say, but perhaps not the
best, for We ind him forced to give up study,
having worn out his strength during the first
three years Of his college course, and now he
was in the country trying to gain some de-
gree of health, that he might enter his fathers
business, for he had been told that he must
give up the idea of farther continuing his
studies.
Soon after his arrival in S - he met Mel
liz Hammond, AID a friendship spraug up be-
tween them that soon became "a strong bond
of love. The old squire saw their increasing
attachment for each other with real pleasure,
for no man was more worthy of a lovely and
talented woman than was Arthur Elton, And
when they asked her fathers consent to their
engagement he freely gave it with his bless
ing upon both,
'A"lI1 "NAN NAN A'Ng hASA " NAA' lbAllS
couple Each gave and received the full
measure of Il pure and true hearts noblrst
love Many pleasant day was passed by
them in drives and walks by the shore OF the
Sound, or upon her fathers beautiful grounds,
with some fayorite author. Whatever gave
! pleasure to one was equally dear to the other,
| Time sped on and the day on which they
were to be married approached
At this time Arthur was called home by the
dangerous illness Of younger brother for
three weeks hc remained at home, aud then,
his brother having recovered, lac returned to
$, where great preparations were being
made for the wedding, which was to take
| place on the following Christmas. 1t only
wanted week OF that time when an old lady
of the village met with sad accident, fall
ing down "A flight Of stairs and breaking n
limb. As soon as Nellie heard of this she
started to visit the unfortunate woman, say
ing, "Auute needs some one to cheer her up,
and shall soon be gone to another home
then she will miss me enough; l must 60 now
while l can"
Upon her return home from this visit it
was found she had taken n severe cold, and
the old housekeeper, who had long filled her
mothers place in caring for her now applied
| the usual home remedies, but without any
| apparent good effect The family physician
was summoned and pronounced it case of
fever which would probably become a brain
| fever of the worst type.
Arthur and her father were with her con-
stantly, and everything that money or medi-
cal skill could do was done, but to no avail.
She continued to fail and continually wander
ed in her mind, sometimes by "Auntie's"
sick bed and again with Arthur in some of
| their fayorte walks. 1t was plain that she
could survive but few hours, and all the
household were around her bedside, when
she opened her eyes and all could see that her
reason had returned and her mind was now
! clear. She desired to speak with Arthur, and