Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-08-19
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THE LOVERS LAST vfsIE

THE LOVERS LAST NSIE
The window ol.the lpneIy c"itage ol
Hilltop was burning Far above the high.
est brentwood, seeming to travellers
at "a distance in the long valley belrw,
who know il. not, 10 be star in the
sky. A bright fire was in the kitchen
of that small tenement, the flor was
washed, swept aod sanded, and not /,
footstep had marked its peri ct neat
ness +; small table was covered, near
the ingle, with a sDow-white cloth, ON
which was placed a frugal evening
meal. md in happy, but pensve mood,
sat there, ah alone, the Woodcuter's
only daughter, comely and gentle
creature, if not beautiful such an one
as diffuses pleasure around her in the
bayfield,, and serenity over the seat in
which she sits attentively on the Sab
bath, listening to the word Of God, or
joining with mellow voice in his praise
and worship. On this night. she ex.
peGted visit from her lover, that they
might fix their marriage day, and her
parents. satisfied and happy that their
child was about to be welded to a re-
spectacle shepherd, had gone to pay a
visit to their nearest neighbour in the
glen.
A feeble and hesitating knock was al
the door, and not like the glad andjoy-
{ul touch of lovers hand and eau :
tiowly opening it. Mary Robinsun be
held a female figure wrapped up in a
cloak, with her face concealed in o
btack bonnet. The stranger, whoever
she might be, seemed wearied and worn
out, and her feet bore witness to long
days travel across the marshy noun
tains. Although she could scarcely
help considering her an unwelcome WIS.,
tier at such an hour, yet Mary bad two
much sweetness Of disposition-too
mu n humanity, not to request her to
step forward into the hut for It seem
ed as if the ~earied woman had lost
her way, and had come towards the
shining window to be put right upon
her journey to the low country.
The stranger took of her bonnet on
veacAiag the Gre /; and Mary Robinson
beheld the face Of one whom, in youth,
she bad tenderly loved |; although for
some years past the distance AZ which
they lived from each other had kept
them from meeting, and only letter or
two, written in their simple way. had
fgiven them few notices Of each 9th.
ef's existence. And now Mary had
opportunity, in the first speechIess gaze
of recognition, to mark the altered face
Of her friend-Aand her heart was touch
ed With AN ignorant compassion. g For
mercy's sake sit down, Sarah and tell
me what evil has befallen you ;.for you
are as white as a ghost. Fear not to
confidc any thing to my bosom for we
have bearded sheep together on the
lonesome braes--we have played, laugh
ed aud sung together we have talked
ncrri!y and gayly, but innoceat enough
surely, of sweethearts together +: and
Sarah, graver thooghts,too have shared,
for when your poor brother died away
like A frosted flower, | wept as if had
been his sister nor can ever be SO
happy as to forget him. Tell me, my
friend, why are you here and why is
your sweet face 50 ghastly."
The heart Of this unexpected visitor
died within her at these kind aud affec.
6onate inquiries. For she had come
sn al errand that was likely to dash the
JOY from that happy countensnce. HeI
heart upbraiied her for the meanneJs
of the purpose for which she had paid
That visit bu. that was only passing
Thought; for was she, innocent anc
and free from sin, to submit, not onl,
to desertion but to disgrace, and moi
trust herself and her wrongs, and hel
hopes Of redre-s 10 her whom she lov.
20 10 sister, and whose gensrons ma