The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1827-02-09

Commissioners S1,25
From the National Gazette.
THE UNCONSCIOUS RIVALS.
A DRAMATIC SKETCH.
PERSONS.
ALBERT, oboutto be married to Emily.
EDWARD, his brother.
EMILY.
SCENE |. A Shrubbery. EDWARD atone.
Aye-this is the day-this is the day which
will set me at rest-not exactly in the pleas
ATTEST way in the world. The sun is bright :;
all looks gay and happy; out of spite, be-
ievc. Good God! that could get quit of
this restless misery--this fever of the heart.
Let them be married. Would to Heaven
they were; the shock at least would still me
stun me: | am now--no matter how. Oh !
that charming face-that air--that walk
those hands-those bright eyes-and that
laughing mind-how they haunt me. Now
that could only fancy her ugly, dull, dsa-
greeable! Impossible. am in fever-my
whole frame is so agitated, that | can neither
walk, eat, drink, think, or sleep; vet what
am to do ? The blow is struck, and the task
yet remains to put on show of merri1nent
at the bridal, and hide, under Il joyous mask,
the bleeding of the heart within. How sick
ening is the splendor of every thing the sun,
the flowers, the trees ,all blaze and dazzle ME.
am fool. shall fancy in a moment that
they Knocked me. Oh, those hateful bells
too; they might at least have had the delica-
cy to spare me this. What am | raving d
bout Little do they Think kind souls how
this heart is swelling till it almost seems too
large for its prison. TIL, is at least a conso-
lation: yes and proud one too; and it shall
be my glory to cling to it-never shall their
happiness be married with knowledge of the
pangs it has inflicted on me. few hours
more; a few short hours, and the worst will
be over. She who has been the idol of my
heart, the constant companion ofmy thoughts
by day, and the sylph that lowered nightly
over my pillow, and seemed to bless me with
happiness too high to be realized, will be
then-ny sister. Sister, what Il word. All
she comes cannot see her now. Her pres
ence always throws me off my guard, and l
may utter that which should afterwards re-
pent. l feel tumult n my veins already;
but she has observed me, | perceive. To
avoid her would look very strange; and
she might even suspcct-weIl, I must to the
torture.
Enter EMILY.
Ed,oard. Goo1 morning Emily; you are
come to see your little plantation here, sup
pose.
Emily. II expected to have found your
brother here.
Ed,oard. Cold enough. Well, it is better
ii should be'so. Aside. have been admit
ring your fower-beds; you have quite fairy
creation here. They are laid out too, in such
a manner, that the eye is quite charmed by
the pleasing succession of the colours. Your
taste, Emily, shows itself in this arrangement
of flowers.
Emily. One of my carnations wants tying
up, perceive.
Edioard. Let me do it.
Emily. No.
FdaOord. You seem unwilling that should
be OF service to you in any thing, Miss For
dyce.
Emily. Now don't speak in so unkind
tone, and : will pull you the flower for
peace-oLtering or stay-not that-here is
violet for you: my favourite flower, you
know.
EdOard. And well it may be so for
sweetness and gentlencss are the Characters
tics Of both. Twill keep this gift as a sacred
treasure, and
Emily. You seem to think too highly of
an Insignificant flower, Mr.. Stuart. only
meant
EdtOard. Only meant what, Emily?
Emily. Toto prevent your growing cross
with me; and thought it was such trifilng
thing.
Ed,card. And did you think gift ofyours
could be trifing to me! Besides, every time
look upon it, shall think of the soft blue
eyes of-my sister.
Ia pause. ALBERT entering slo.cly, and OBJ
serving them.
Emily, faith sort Of forced gaiety.) :, You
remind me this is my wedding day. What
favour have you got for me? and here comes
Albert Just in time to sect.
Ed,card. A favour! Oh. yes, win you
wear this rose as my offering!
Emily. No, indeed; for it is beginning to
Sade. | am sure won't have that.
Ed,card. Withered! then i will have it
myself. It is wet with dew, too, and looks
as if the poor flower had wept over the decay
which is feeding upon its beauty. 1t is
mine, and you shall have this white lily
May your life be as fair and its lustre as I'M
sulIied. Do you not smile, Albert, at our
folly