American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-04-18

again partially returned ana her nark oius sJs
were for The mornen, lighted up, as she exclaimed
with sudden and unwontd energy =" Yes am
his sister, and your suspicious, which well under
stand. are proundless: am an unfortunate, an in
inred. hui an innocent woman: am the lawful vile
OIL but checking herself, she proceeded 10
subdued tone, " alas cannot speak turther." For
lime
Her lips moved not, but quivcringly.
Nor would they aught betray;
Yet more there spoke. her flashing eye,
Than words could ever say:
Yes there meaning in her glance
Having in measure composed her troubled feel
ops, some further conversation ensued, in which
the bliehted lair one renewed her protestations oil
innocence, and iniimated that while she had been
deserted by her former friends, though lawfully
married. and the mother o! several Children yet she
had been compelled silently to bear the reproach
that had been cast upon her--n the daily hope that
all the mystery in which her case vas involved,
would soon be cleared up. But her heart was row
fast whitening under the disappointments OF hope
long deferred. Indeed she had hoped until no hope
was left and she now determined, ere she
dropped into the tomb. which must soon open for
her reception, TO rescue her fame and virtue from
he cruel mputations under which she was suffer
ing She then informed the lady. that il her hus.
band would call al Mo-, in - street, on a
certain day. she would convince him OF the truth OF
her assertions Yet she gave not the remotest init
nation who was the husband who had contrived
20 keep her in secuson, with but doubtful reputa-
ton. The doubts Of the lady and her husband were
GOT removed but their interest and curiosity TO
penetrate the veil which appeared to hang over
the fate Of the unhappy female, we're powerfully
awakened.
Meanwhile and before the appointed time for the
promised explanation had arrived b called as
usual 10 inquire after the family and the health OF
bis intended bride. He had never been more cheer
full, and talked with his wonted FrankEess and
ing sincerity, Of his approaching nuptis's. While
the evening passing thus pleasantly away. the
lady handed him the miniature OF his deceased
friend. to INQUIRE of him whether il was good
likeness. He took the picture, but had no sooner
cast his eyes upon il, than 1t dropped from his
hands. For an instant his ooun'rnance was pale
as ashes Every drop OF blood seemed 10 have
rushed back upon his heart. His lips quivered,
and he trembled in every Joint But he recovered
his possession IN moment. picked up the pic
lure, es though it had fallen by common accident,
snd after few common place remarks upon it,,
eft the house, earer and more abruptly than
usual,
The mystery now increased and da-k suspicion
flashed across their minds. Hi, agitation had been
700 obvious NOT to be perceived; ye, there was no
dehnable for II, only thst II appeared to be
strongly connected With the picture True il might
have been occasioutd by the sudden view of the
veil known features OF an endeared and valuable
friend whose remains had for more than three years
been mouldering beneath the clods Of the valley
But still the curiosity of the family was wrought up
10 a higher degree of intensity and although the
gentleman had hitherto doubted the propriety oil
attending the appointment of the unto tunac female
bis resolution now fixed, and he at once deter
mined TO visit her at the time appointed. He did
SO and found her in a retired dseiiing, melancholy
and sad as before but surrounded by her little fami
~ and to all appearance very com!ortably situated
She entered into history Of her life and situation
since her brother had entered the army several
years ago. few years after his departure. she
had received the addresses OF gentleman whom she
had known as her brothers. intimate ftiend and as
acetate, to whom some seven years sin e she
was privately married. And she was induced o
consent that their union should be kept an iHvioa
Die secret in consequence of the repre- sen atoms o.
her husband, that this privacy was Of the utmost
Importance to his pecanary interests, as il garded
large amount Of property in expectancy viii. h
would certainly be devised to him if his MARRIAGE
were not known, but of which he would as certainly
De deprived were the fact to come to the knpwsd doe
Of his aged relative. Another motive for 9crery
Ne represented to be some heavy pecunisr7 lessee
which would prevent his going TO house keening il
the style he wished, until he should have retrieved
his circumstances, which object would b. accom-
plished at no distant day. For long time, ,hougt
deserted by the little circle of her friends she bore
she seclusion cheetfully, and her husband OTTER
strengthened her resolution, by representing The
pleasure they would all derive when her brother ar
rived, from the agreeable surprise it would occasion
him, to find hia sister the happy vile Of his earl,
and constant friend But from the day Of her mar
sase She had not heard from her beloved brother
nor vas II until long after his death that by som,
accident she came to the knowledge of his marrisg,
n this city and his subsequent decease. Her hear
men SUNK wi,hin her. But although the exclamation
Of her husband were unsatisfactory still he had :,
ways been kind and attentive to her, fonly that n
never dined at home) and fearing that The esta,
would be lost, she had KEEP, the secret within he