The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1895-12-20

Inducements could he offered sufficient
to cause her to waver IN their support
And vet this peculiar trait, as deeply
seated as it was, and as firmly as ii
was ever exercised, was so beautifully
hammered by the benevoence of her
heart. the equanimity of her mind,
and the engaging sweetness of her
demeanor. that il never seemed to i'm
mart the least tnge of arrogance to her
character, or harahness to her manners.
On the contrary, she was all gentle
ness and devotion, and ever ready to
comply with the wishes of others,
when compliance did not contra
yene, in her opinion. any of the prin-
ciples of even nand justice; and. in
case she felt bound to refuse to yield
to their requests. her refusal was
made and maintained with such mild
ermness, that none could be offended,
none feel inclined TO charge her with
obstinacy or perverseness. She was at
this time the mistress of her fathers
household, her exemplary and intelcc-
tual mother having several years before
deceased, and her elder and only
sister, the year previous, married one
of the leading loyalists OF Guiflord.
And it had been mainly through the
influence of this sister and her hus-
band. that she had been induced, the
preceding fall, to take the step which
was destined to cause her years of sor
row and pcrplexity -that of engaging
herself in marriage to Peters. She had
found few or no opportunities of study
ing this mans character. having
known him only as a parlor acquain
lance. of easy manners and consider
able intelligence. And although she
saw nothing particularly Objectionable
in him. and although she new that, in
point of wealth and family distinction,
he was cnsidered what is termed a
desirable match, yet she had entered
into the engagement with many mis-
givings, and in compliance rather with
the wishes of her friends above named,
seconded by the urgent request Of
her father than in accordance with
the dictates of her own judgment and
inclination. But whatever her doubts
at that time, or during the months
Immediately following, they had not
been sufficient TO disturb the usual
even tenor of her feelings, till she left
which, as already ntimated. she had
seen the character of her afanced in
a new light-a light which showed
him to be possessed of traits AS all
horrent to her feelings. as, TO her
mind, they were base and reprehensl-
BILE in themselves. And now, to crown
all. he had, by an act OF deliberate,
priavte malice. even according TO his
own account. inflicted mortal wound
on the victim of his former injuries
the man who. but the day before, had
snatched her, whom the other professed
to hold as the highest object of his
earthly solicitude, from watery
grave. 1t vas these painful retiec-
tons that were now agltating her
bosom for the more she pondered
upon the conduct Of Peters. the more
did her heart re- jet and despise him:
and in proportion as her feelings rose
up against him we're her sympathi les
drawn towards his victim, Woodburn,
whose noble act had created so strong
a claim upon her gratitude, and whose
character and appearance had alike
awakened her interest and admiration.
1T is indeed thus she at length
muttered, as if summing up the thought
that had been passing through her
mind, that he who saved my life
at the risk of his own, must die by the
hand of one who should have been
the first TO thank and reward him?
Ay, and die, too, without receiving
from me, or mine, one word in ac-
acknowledgement. even, Of the service he
so nobiy rendered? Perhaps the
thought of our ingratitude is now EN-
differing his dying moments! Can l,
should | suffer this so to remain?'
Here she relapsed into silence, and,
slowly resuming her walk round the
room, seemed for while immersed in
anxious thought: when she suddenly
paused, and, after a moment of APP
parent irresolution, stepped to the
wall, and gave two or three pulls at
the wire connected with the servants
bell in the kitchen. In a few minutes
the summons was answered by the
appearance of the chamber maid.
Twill you go down to the gentle
men s sitting room, said Miss Havi
land, TASK out my father, and tell him
| would see him moment in my own
room?"
The girl disappeared, and, in short
slightly disturbed and anxious air,
entered the room, and said,
What's the matter Sabrey? Are
you sick to night, that you are yet up
and send for me?'
20, no, replied the other
nothing of that kind led me to send
for you, but my wish to make "A re-
quest which | was unwilling to de-
lay. "
The squire cast a. somewhat sur
prised and inquiring look at his
daughter, but remained silent, while
the latter resumed =
"You recollect that this morning,
after apprising you of the extent of
our obligations to Mr., WOODBURY.,
about which you seem to have been
so misinformed, | suggested that a.
personal acknowledgment, with offers