Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-04-28

haps, have a tendency TO add torture to
affection.
The mcmcnt was auspicious, to part
at this juncture would be affecting, to
remain longer in this state Of mind, mis-
cry in the extreme. The fear Of par
entail authority, and the pain they expe-
rienced from cruel stubbornness, con-
spired to heighten their sensibility, in
the same proportion as it darkened and
blighted their future hopes Of prosperi-
ty aud happiness. They were truly
miserable; but as that misery could casi-
ly be removed by smiles, and full con-
fdence in each others fidelity and dis
interested affection, they became both
willing and determined to hazard the
consequence, and breaking silence, by
an open avowal of their feelings--but,
female dclicacy forbade the one, and
hopeless anxiety choaked the utterance
Of the other: they were both yet more
embarrassed, for the moro they be-
came determined in this matter, the
heavier, more weighty consequences
fuctuatcd their minds. Their progress,
however, had become slow, as their
minds became bewildered in thought---
and at length, involuntarily, they seated
themselves on little hillock, under a
towering elm, where, after some mo-
Inents respiration, half-stifled sigh es-
capped fair Ellen's bosom, which spake
volumes TO EdwIn's enraptured soul, he
clasped her in his arms, and with fault
cring voice, exclaimed :" Oh, Ellen !!
my life, my hope, my all death would
be more welcome than the loss Of thee,
for thee | live, for the would die I!
Give me but the slightest or more dis
tant hope of thy confidence, and my
transports will be unspeakable. Ellen
whose mind was prepared for such an
event, felt no hesitation in replying, 6" l
am thine, forever thine, for thee alone
| live, let fortune frown, or the cold
finger of scorn be levelled at thee, l will
never, never desert thee, l am truly
thine, forever thine" and at these last
words, nature appeared to give way, her
breath for time stopped; with much
anxiety and concern for short period,
Edwin could not determine which had
the more powerful influence, life or
death however, at length the former
prevailed, and speedily terminated the
feelings OF this aAectionate couple, and
they were soon enabled to proceed on
their journey homeward.
This happy pair needed only the SOL
emnization oftheir nuptials to make them
completely happy, (unconnectcd with
their parents) which had already been
registered in heaven, and could they find
means of support, and be able to en-
counter life's rugged path, without the
aid of their friends, they felt their priv
ilege to do so. On reaching the outer
gate Of the courtyard of Ellen's resi-
dence, Edwin, after pressing her hand
and imprinting kiss on her pale cheek,
exclaimed, Tomorrow night"
"Pll meet you here" responded Ellen,
when she glided cautiously from his view,
and silently disappeared. Edwin walk
ed steadily, but slowly home, in deep
contemplation of the night. The larks
the cocks, the merry birds announced
the approaching morn. Scarcely had
Edwin pillowed his head, ere the dawn
ing day shone forth resplendant, and
the rising orb declared the mighty infu-
cnce Of this God Of nature.
The weather was fine, but Edwin had
no taste for its enjoyment; he made sew
eral faint attempts to shake off his mel
ancholy, but to no purpose; Ellen alone
occupied his every thought-for her a
lone was he determined to encounter
every exertion. She was the sun of
his existence, of his hemisphere, around
which his mind revolved alone, and to
him, her happiness was every thing;
without her, his life would be vague and
useless. He considered the riches and
baubles of the world as nothing with
out her; aud, if he possessed her as
friend and companion, they were alto
gether super1uous. Under the influ-
ence of these reflections, and they were
in his mind conclusive, he determined,
on the following evening, to marry her,
and set his friends and the world at de-
fiance. And meanwhile, should he and
his beloved Ellen meet with the frowns
and decided disapprobation of their re-
lations by so doing, he resolved to leave
his country forever, and seek Joy and
happiness in the precincts Of the western
wilderness, where peace and plenty
would crown the exeriions of industry.
frugality and economy.
But to return to Ellen, who, after
leaving her betrcthed Edwin, entered
her chamber, fatigued, disquieted and
ind'sposcd. Although she had frequent
" rambled with her lover before, yet