Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-07-30

given them q lew noLlCeb Oh cdCh othof
existence. And now Mary had oppor-
tunity, in the first speechless gaze of re-
cognition, to mark the altered face OF
her friend-and her heart was touched
with an ignorant compassion. For
mercy's sake sit down, Sarah! and tell
me what evil has befallen you; for you
are as white as ghost. Fear not to
confide any thing to my bosom, we have
herded sheep together on the lonesome
braes- we have stripped the bark to-
gether; I'VE have laughed-we have
played, sung, danced together; -and
we have talked merrily and gaily, but
innocently enough, surely, of sweet
hearts together; and, Sarah, graver
thoughts too, have we shared, for when
your poor poor brother died away IKE
frosted flower, wept as if had
been his sister; nor can l ever be SO
happy in this world as to forget him.
Tell me my friend why are you heres
why is your face so ghastly?"
The heart of this unexpected visitor
died within her at those kind and aztec
tionate inquiries. For she had come
on an errand that was likely to dash
the Joy from that happy countenahee'
Her heart upbraided her with the mean.
| ness of the purpose for which she had
paid this visit but that was only pas,
| sing thought for was she innocent and
free from sin, to submit, not only to de.
| sertion, but to disgrace, and not trust
herself and her wrongs, and her hopes
of redress to her whom she loved as
sister. and whose generous nature she
we'll knew, not even love, the changer
of SO many things, could change utter
ly: thong indeed, it might render it
colder than of old to the anguish of a
female friend?
90! Mary, ! must speak,-yet must
my words make you grieve, far less for
me than for yourself. Wretch. that /
am, bring evil tidings into the dwell.
ling of my dearest friend These rib-
bands-they are worn for Lis sake
they become we'll, as he thinks, the au-
burn of your bonny hair that blue
gown is worn TO night, because he likes
it but Mary, will you curse me to
my face, when declare before the God
that made US, that the man is pledged
unto me by all that is sacred between
mortal creatures, end that have here
in my bosom written promises and
oaths of love from him who, was this
morning told, lie, in few DAYS to be
III mo ont nf
now if you chuse, and let me, if you
chuse, die of hunger and fatigue, in the
woods, where we have SO often walked
together, for such death would be NOR
cy to me, in comparison with your mar
riage with him who is mine for ever, If
there be God who heeds the oath of
the creatures he has made"
Mary Robinson had LED happy life,
but life of quiet thoughts tranquil
hopes, and meek lesires. Tenderly
and truly did she love the man to whom
she was betrothed but it was because
she had thought him gentle, manly, up
right, sincere, and one that feared God.
His character was unimpeached, to her
his behaviour had always been fond, at
fectionate, and respectful that he was
fine looking man, and could show him
self among the best of the country
round at church, and market and fair
day, she saw and felt with pleasure and
with pride. But in the heart of this
poor, humble, contented, and pious girl,
love was not violent passion, but all
affection, sweet and profound. She
looked forward to her marriage with
joyful sedsteness, knowing that she
would have to toll for her family, if
blest with children but happy in the
thought of keeping her husbands house
clean, of preparing his frugal meals,
| and welcoming him when wearied at
night to her faithful, affectionate, and
grateful bosom.
At first, perhaps, slight flush ofan-
ger towatds Sarah tinged her cheek;
hen followed in quick succession, or
all blended together in one sickening
pang. fear, disappointment, the sense
Of wrong. and the cruel pain of discs
teeming and despising one on whom
| her heart had rested with all its best
and purestaffe ctions But there was
keen struggle between many feelings
in her heart, her resolution was formed
during that very conflict; and she said
within herself, If it be even so, nei-
| Their will / be SO unjust as to deprive
poor Sarah Of the man who ought to
marry her, nor will be SO mean and
low spirited, poor as am, and dear as
he has heen unto me. to become his