Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-23

toned Clara her high sense Of rccti
tude, and the sensitive delicacy Of her
character; he appeared startled, thank
cd me for the friendly part 1 had acted,
but declared 1t was all mistakc--the
rumours erroneous. The next day he
visited his patron, and contriyed by well
direcfed discourse TO impress On his
mind that he mingled in promiscuous
society, more from its being necessary
tor him to do so in his profession than
from inclination. That he was never 90
happy as when with him and Clara, and
that he hoped no idle reports would
have power to deprive him Of tho esteem
Of those so dear to him. Clara belle we'd
his assertions, yet still she felt anxious
and unhappy. Leslie was now in a
very lucrative business, yet he neglected
to claim the promise made him by her
unsuspecting love; her delcacy was
wounded, but her pride enabled her to
appear unconscious OF her neglect. In
short, not to make my narrative too te-. .
dious, month after month passed away
came less frequently, and his
partial benefactor was forced to think
that the son OF his adoption had become
unmndfu! of the friend who had raised
him to independence. Poor Clara! she
seldom spoke of him except to Frances,
and then her tenderness would scarcely
suffer her to blame him. The truth was,
Leslie bad swerved from the path OF
rectltude, and he felt it irksome to be in
the society Of his worthy old friend, aad
his high-minded Clara, whose esteem he
could retain only in proportion as he
succeeded in deceiviug them lie still
loved Clara but his weak aud wayering
disposition led him into errors, and hls
love was not that ennobling and digni-
fled sentiment which purifies the heart
and leaves no room or wish for less ex-
alted pleasures. was Informed by un-
doubted authority, thaihc lrequented the
gaming table, and once more, at tho
cntreaty ofmy wife, ventured to hint
to him the risk he ran of irretrievably
injuring himself, and running the peace
OF those whose happiness ough, to be
dear to him Leslie was charged,-he
heard me with less kindness than for
merly, and at length gave me 10 UNDER
stand that he considered my interference
impertinent and unnecessary 1t was
evident that avarice was not among Les
lies faults; for not even the prospect Of
sharing with Clara the ample fortune of
her uncle, could deter him from his fol-
lies. Perhaps, however, he imagined
he could at any time regain his place in
her heart, even should his neglect have
weakened her affection--ofth that affection
he had indeed undoubted proof, for he
knew that she had refused several offers
for his sake.
"Clara carefully concealed from her
uncle every circumstance that could have
a tendency to prejudice him against his
errlng fayofite. The old gentleman's
health had become very inGrm, and in
tender and ceaseless assiduities to the
invalid, poor Clara tried to lose the re-
membrancc of her more poignant sor-
row. Leslie heard Of his illness, and
came often to see him. In those visits
his tenderness for Clara seemed to be
renewed, and she fondly indulged the
delusive hope that he might yet bo wean-
ed from his follies. Her uncle's health
declined rapidIy,-a few hours before
his death he informed the weeping girl
that he had made a will, by which he
had constituted her bis sole heiress.--
Clara mentioned William Leslie, and tho
dying man replied, "It was always nv
intention to have left Leslie part of my
fortune; have long seen the attach
ment between you;--if Leslie is deserv-
ing, you will, at the expiration ola year,
share your fortune with him by making
him your protector, If not it is best az
1t is,---my Clara will never marry man
who is undeserving Other" Clara's
grief for the death of her uncle was deep
and lasting. The infatuated Leslie re-
sumed his former dangerous habits
She seldom saw him ,--she came to re-
side with us, and if before esteemed, I
now almost venerated her, for the many
traits Of benevolence and noble feeling
which observed in her character.
To he nrf,,JeJ II a., o,,r