American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-09-02

Helen Gray, and felt not this ? Tears and silence
were the plaudis she received the curtain fell.
i The curtain rose again "a light laugh was
heard and the laugh changed into wild and sport
i've song.-The .tmid gracefulness of her manner,
and the melting tones of her voice, alone BETRAYED
the same being who had been SO lately in grief and
madness. The freshness of health and 10y was
smiling in her couniensnce flowers chung to The
careless rings of her hair and her steps had all the
buoyancy OF artless mirh For some time this un.
ceasing saety continued once or twice Helen pass.
4 ed her hand across her brow it seemed only to
toss back the curIs which fell in such rich profu-
sion ball over her laughing eyes. But, at last, her
delightful voice stopped she tottered dizzily to
the side Of the stage ;--she extended her hand to
cling Tor support to the scene the actors hasten
ed to her assisance-they lifted her from the floor
on which she had falen-the blood was gushing
from her moutl-her eyc.lids were closed-her
lovely arms hung down heavy and motioness as
they bore her from the stage.
| The performance ceased, and the stage was soon
crowded with inqurers as TO the state of the poor
actress. She was not dead, but her life was de-
clared to be in great danger and she was carried
still insensible, to her !odging.'
| Among those who sought to alleviate her suffer
ngs was Miss Laura Wentworth, who finds her
in wretched lodging, attended by an elder actress,
Mrs. Delmour, fantastic but kind hearted creature
and good contrast in the tale. At the FIRST visit
little occurred excepta promise to repeat it--when
j :" Laura assembled 10 the healthier atmosphere of
Hclen's light and lofty chamber The young ac-
tress was sitting up 10 large chair near the open
window, enjoying the sweet freshness Of fine
| May morning. Laura saw, for the first time, how
beautiful Helen Cray still was her face and form
were indeed well suited to represent the oveest
characters Of the drama the former bore a slrik
ing resemblance to portrait which some Of my
readers may have seen. The picture Of Laura
Blanca, by Titan !; there is engraving of it
which is styled, " La Maitresse du Titan" The
Iorigina saw at the Louvre and, till | behed
Helen Gray, hardly believed there was human
face so lovely. The young actress had the same
periec contour Of face and regularity OF features
1.-THE same large lustrous eyes with their expression
Iof tender earnestness, the rich hair, simply
parting her forehead, with rippes of gold on its
waves Of darker auburn; the same small matchess
mouth, all glowing with the deepest rose hues Helen
was very pale F.; her figure bore resemblance to
the full and rounded proportions of the lovely por-
trait illness had reduced her to a slightness al
most Incredible"
AT this interview the benevolent lady engages to
send medical aid, and interesting conversation on
the subject Of Bible comfort thus concludes:
i" Helen paused-she said no more, but seemed
TO be musing on deep and affecting thoughts 81
lence eusued, and then Laura said, Would you
like to clergyman have excellent friend,
who would, am sure, cone to you at my request"
/ Helen rose up, weak and trembling she was,
from her chair. and clasping her hands together,
Exclaimed g You have named almost the first wish
Iof my heart Will any clergyman come to me 2
/" He cU come, may safely promise you he will,
said Laura, gently leading her back to her chair.
i Nay | must leave you, she added gently holding
up her finger, il TO command obedience, {" if you
do not promise me TO compose yourself, and TO be
very prudent and CAREFUL She was really alarm
ed at the agitation Of Joy which Helen discovered,
who now sat very quietly, and smiled while she
wiped away her tears.---
j -" Laura learnt from the mistress OF the
house that the husband of the sick actress was q
prohigate unfeeling wretch, who had lived upon the
talents Of his wife till her exertions had preyed up
on and at last DESTROYED her health. Helen had
been obliged 70 leave her comfortable lodgings just
i as her health failed. She removed to obscure
, chamber and went to visit her but the kind
hearted Mrs. Delmour, who had even removed her
, own little packages TO the same house, that she
= might be near, and attend the young and dying
D actress"
:. A Clergyman, Mr. Curzon, is now introduced to
/ the fast fading aower:-
n The following day was, indeed time OF trial to
i poor Helen. Mr.. Curzon, after having conversed
: with her, perceived that some untold anxiety con-
santly weighed upon her mind, and he told her
what he thought. She confessed that his conjec-
etures were right but seemed rather to avoid the sub
{ iect. He had too little curiosity and too much de-
.lcacy, to ask her to confess any thing to hm;bu
he earnestly -n,reated her to discover every secret
IS of her heart, in humble prayer to her Heavenly
Father After he had read TO her, and prayed with
d her. he was about depart, surprised and delighted
with the clear knowledge she possessed of spiritual
h things q knowledge that showed that her heart
% was really touched and affected and that the book
S of Cod was no longer sealed book TO her. He was
70 about to depart when he heard her soft voice, meek
e. Iy imploring him to return for short time. God
l. has given me strength to speak to you now, she
4r said: s I was too weak in purpose before. There