Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-10-29

not, may at least prevent unhappiness.o
Ills pnlcncss increased 81 shall never
tell Harriet how entirely, how long ],
have loved her. You will sometimes
talk Of me, and think of me, as friend
u most attached aud grateful friend
! -"
sat still where he left mo, long
time, perhaps an hour or two, ponder
! ing whether no would take occasion 10
discover the state of iihriet's feelings.
( II she loved him, according to his own
theory, there would be no use in tho
Journey Ia Europe; better, If he were 10
die, that it should be among the long
known aud loved. Harriet was but
/ eighteen. The impression he had made
or nipht make, on her mind, would be
easily cllaced by time, new scenes, and
new admirers. S" reasoned and pom
dered, until the twilight deepencd into
gloom. The next day, Willis was 10
set nut started from my seat, aud
suddenly entered The small sitting Rooms
usually appropriated to Harriet. She
was standing at the window, and talking
ia low and earnest voice to W Ills. Ills
face was buried in his hands, ard his
whole frame agitated with weakness or
emotion, greater than had ever seen
him express. lie had been talking to
her OF his illness. aud of the short time
he probably had 10 live; but he had said
nothing of his intended departure and
she vas cheering him with the hopes and
enCouragcments she herself valnly felt.
ado you snll pcisevcre in your in
! France" said |.
The bright smile faded from iIarrieps
lip, and dcaib-like palcness oyerspread
her features. As'onishmcnl apparently
| settled into resignation. She knew the
inile2ible nature of ms dlsposIt on, and
that The resolution Onco formed, could
not be overcome. so she sat quietly
down, perfectly pale, and perfectly ST.
lent. Willis too, was silent. ihe pain
ful tremor which shook him all o"er at
my first entrance had subsidcG, but he
did lot speak or move.
"I will walk out, and leave you to
combat, at leisure, this strange resolu-
ton Of our friend,' | said, and loll
them.
The coolness of the night ar Gained
my agitation, and had leisure to ao-
preciato aud admire the resolution Of
my friend II was wise, noble, dlsinicr-
esiod, just. 1t WAS like my Iricnd-he
could command himself Earricl's feel
ings would be concealed from dignity or
pride, if indeed, sho were attached to
him; which, wilhstanding her emotion
| did not believe. Ifhe lived to return,
it would be time enough for a decIara-
ton. In any view, affairs had better
remain stationary. | returned to the
house quite satisfied.
Tho low window in IIarriel's room was
covered with shrubbcry. She had train
ed woodbinc and multinora to enter
the apartment, and time had formed "a
most luxuriant bower over tho window
seat. Here We used to sit on the sum
mcr evenngs--a small c.rcle, and as
happy one as ever sat by moonlight.
The woodbinc is still as luxuriant; the
roses cluster as heavily over the lonely
seat; the moon shines gently and softly
now through the thick trees. Bot the
seat was not then, as now, unoccupicd.
Harriet was still sitting quietly; but her
hand was in that Of my friend; and his
voice had strange mixture OF pleasure
and apprchcnsivencss, as he talked ear
ne silly and low TO her, for which could
not account. looked at my sister, and
she was smiling all over her face, so
peacefully; and yet the proud beauty OF
her eye was dimmed with tears. What
did it all mean!
/, might have known what it meant,
and have expected it. Willis did not 60
, to Franco then--or ever. He knew he
was to die, and he cndcavoured to pre-
pare lIarrict's mind for a separation.
Her hope has always seemed to me like
, derangoment--a delusion who'll y unac.
!. countablc Not for an instant did she
allow herself, or mo, to despair Of his re-
:, covery. Weeks, months Of watching
:, intense, untiring care, seemed to have
: no effect on her mind. Her only ankle
ty was TO relieve him, amusc him, wilC
u him from the contemplation OF his situa
o ton. At length, Willis ceased to con
u verse on his own dissolution; and it wa
!, only by the increased weakness Of hi
voice that | saw tho gradual decay o
u his frame: he never uttered any wore
II that should show how intensely he suf
:; fcrcd, and his placid smile gave token o
d his inward pence.
}. Que night, | knew ho must die: h,
" haG not spoken for several hours, bu
J. with extreme difficulty; and now he lla'
sunk into an unquiei slumbcr. IIarric
J. sat by his pillow watching every breath
o A low cry Of agony told me when all wa