Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-05

his recovery, which, however, was slow
ly progressing. His total ignorance re-
specting all who were dear to him, was
inexpressibly painful, yet it was not with
out mingled sensations, that on his return
from short ramble, on the first day he
had quilted the house, he found Col. Pc
ters seated in his apartment. g am
happy sir" said he with sarcastic smile,
"that you have so far recovered from the
effects OF your rebellious spirit"
Walter coloured, but without noticing
his speech, anxiously enquircd for Ag-
nes.
"Walter Forrest" answered he, in an
altered tone, "to you Agnes Peters isno
more; tomorrow her hand will be given
to another, and you must learn to forget
her."
SO saying, he placed sealed packet
in the hands of Walter, and left him stu
piiied with anguish. Almost mechanic
ally he unfolded and glanced his eyes
over the pages of the episte which Pc
ters had given him, but he was soon pain
fully awakened by its contents. His
brother, Notwithstanding tho entreaties,
and even commands of his father, had
joined the British army, and had fallen
in the first of his battles-and his father,
he whom Walter had devctedly loved,
and whose memory seemed like guard
ian spirit to hover round his heart that
parent was no more-he had gone down
to the grave with a broken heart The
frame Of Walter was too weak to bear
this accumulated weight ofwretchedness,
and with groan of agony he fell sense
less upon the floor During the night his
fever returned with redoubled violence,
and for some weeks he remained insen-
sible to his misery. However, his disease
at length yielded to the power of medi-
cine, and he once more slowly recovered.
An exchange of prisoners had been eff
fected, by which he was once more re-
stored to liberty, and when his health
permitted he again joined the army He
did not dare to visit the scenes of his
childhood, for it seemed us if they were
haunted by the ghost of his departed hap
piness-he was wretched-miserable-
he felt that in the wide world he was
aione-that there was none to love him
hone whom he might love-he dared
not trust himself to think on Agnes, not
ever to murmer her name in the secret
recesses of his heart. He beheld others
around him smiling and happy-but there
was not one hope left on earth to soothc
the bitterness Of his spirit, and he had
no wish but to offer up his life on the al
tar of his country's liberty-he rushed
into the widest Of the battle; but it SEEM
ed as if his very wretchedness had given
him charmed life "-swords flashed
harmless'y above bis head, and the hay
onet entered not his bosom. But the
heart cannot live in utter hopclessness,
and time dulled the poignancy of his
feelings, while the spirit of patriotism
kindled once more within his bosom.
Several years had elapsed since the
death Of his father, when Walter was one
day summoned to the couch of British
officer, who was prisoner, and suppos-
ed to be mortally wounded. He instant
ly complied, and repaired to the bedside
ofthe dying man. Life was on the verge
of departing-the cold dews Of death
were already OH his forehead-and Wal
ter gazed for some moments on the hol-
low cheek and heavy glared eyes before
he recognized the altered form Of Col.
Peters. Any animosity that he might
have entertained towards the destroyer
of his happiness, was at that instant ex-
tinguished in the bosom Of Walter, who,
clasping the cold hand which the Colonel
extended towards him, burst into tears.
Peters feebly pressed the hand of his
young friend, and a flush of shame COL
CURED his pale cheek, as he cntreated the
pardon of Walter, and requested him to
be the protector of his child, when her
father should be no more Walters heart
beat violently, and he almost gasped for
breath while the words he would have
spoken, died away in inarticulate mur-
murs from his lips. 81 have rendered
you both unhappy" continued the Colo
mel, "for Agnes never loved other than
you-a sudden illness delayed her union
with the man for whom intended her,
and his subsequent death prevented it
forever. Therefore If your heart re-
mains unchanged, she may yet be yours. 1"
A stifled sob from Agnes, who, with her
face concealed amid the covering of the
bed, had been silently weeping, unno-
ticed by Walter, at this instant attracted
his attention. and the neyt rnomont ebe
was in his arms. A faint smile illumined
the countonance of the dying warrior,
and pressing his daughter once more to
his heart, he breathed few words of