Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-04
THE STORY OF THE BENIGHTED SOL
DER
ICoNCLUDED.l

(coNcLUDED.1
More than five months had the maid remain
ed at the country Inn, before the host and host
ess succeeded in ascertaining her name; and
even then, it was accomplished by stratagem;
and doubly were they reJoiced when they learn
ed that their strange and mysterious guest, was
named Ann Ellen Morton; but vain were their
attempts to gain from her the least informa-
ton touching her history, or the history Of the
officer who had introduced her to the Inn.
During the whole of this period, Miss Nor
ton had observedthe strictest rules Of propriety;
and though hundreds had solicited the pleas
ure of her society, she carefully avoided all in
tercourse with the world, and mingled with no
one, save the inmates Of the I'm, to whom she
was at times unusually courteous and atten-
| tive; and then she would assume an air Of aus
terity, and with the most forbddng looks,
drove from her presence, those who were
friendl, inclined towards her, and who would
have done any thing to promote her happiness.
Time passed away, and yet the officer came
not; and the hapless girl began to fear that
he had fallen martyr to the cause of his
country; and though she would have gladly
escaped his tyranny, still she hoped for the
preservation of his life; for yet she loved him
for his former kindness, and knew how depend
ant she was upon him, for the means Of subsist-
ance.
1t was in the month Of June, 1914, as she
sat at the window, gazing on the beauties of
the surrounding country, and the moonbeams
as they played upon the peluc.d rivulet that
mcandered through the adjacent valley, or
listening to the plaintive lays Of the night
birds song, that young Hussar rode up to
the door of the Inn, and inquiring if Miss Ann
Ellen Morton was within, handed to "mine
host" packet for her address, and then re-
mounting his "proud steed." gave him the,
rein and the spur, and in twinkling bolted
over the high lands, and was 10 more heard
Of Anxious to know the contents of the note.
the hostess repaired to the apartment of Miss
Morton, and on entering her apartment, found
her engaged in prayer, and imploring the bene-
dictions of heaven to descend upon the officer.
and imploring the Most High, to restore him
once more to her presence. As soon as she
had ceased, the hostess handed her the packet.
which the unhappy girl hastily tore asunder,
kissed the seal. and horrer-suicken. read as
follows:
To NIss Avn ELLsN MoRroN.
Miss .Norfon,-It is my painful duty to in
form YOU, that your uncle and guardian Col.
Henry s. Morton, of the United States Army.
fell in an affair Of honor, this morning, about
| sunrise, and expired twenty minutes after hav-
ing received the ball Of his antagonist. Ere
he expired he completed his last will and tes-
lament, by which he bequcathcs to you the
whole of his estate, real and personal. In his
last moments, he begged me to assure you,
that he deeply lsmented that he had caused
YOU much sorrow and wrctchedness THAT he
had forgiven you, and consented, that you
should we'd the young man OF your choice;-
then having implored the mercy and forgive
ness of his God, fell into the embraces Of death
and slept in peace. Colonel Morton was a
brave soldier, he had faithfully served his coun-
try, and his loss will long be regretted by hrs
comraniors in arms. Permit me Mss Morton
TO sympathize with you in this your sad hour OF
afIiiction and allow me to salute you with my
assurances Of great personal esteem and re-
spect.
Cant. in the 29th Reg't Int'try, U. s. Army
When Miss Morton had read the letter, she
threw herself upon her couch. and though
she deprecated the cruelties TO which she had
been subjected, she could not refrain from
weeping over the letter, which conveyed