Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-09-06

found in h;s socioi, peculiar charms.
When add, that in his manner to fc-
males, there was a dsvotedness, an ear
nestncss Tho most haitering to the sex,
though at the same time the most mis-
leading, and that this devotedness had
been for the last three months addressed
wholly to Helen: who will censurc her
for believing herself preferred before all
other women, or for giving herself up
to the delight which the idea afforded
her.
Weston loved IIclen's society certain
y: he thought her superior to any fe-
male he had ever known; he fully appre-
ciated the beauty Of her mind; aud in
conversation with her, he felt sympa-
pathy, an union of feeling and tasts,
which he had never felt before. l am
even inclined TO think tn at for the
time, he lancied he loved her; for Wes-
ton was IAN honorable man. honorable
in the view Of his friends and acquaint-
ances, and what was Of more importance
in his own. Had any one told him, in
ems love without designing return, he
would not have believed it of himself:
but the qualification of vanity, in seeing
himself an object of interest 10 high
hearted and enthusiastic being, could not
be resisted; and then, there was the OPT
ate, She will never remember 1t; she is
too sensible; too independent; too much
accustomed to such attentions to think Of
them That lulIed the remorselul feel
ing, which would sometimes seize him,
after witnessing the blush and sigh that
followed some iervont demonstration of
his own regard, and which he could not
help seeing was not the calm bcaming
Of friendship. Weston was not blinded;
he saw the pleasure with which his So
cieiy was greeted, above that Of u circle
Of very endearcd friends; he could not
but see her tastes assimilating themselves
to his; he saw her loving the things he loy.
ed, and correcting herself Of what he
deemed faulty in her character. Yet he
continued to pay her all those silent and
minute attentions, which steal the heart,
surely and unconsciousy, and trust TO a
frmness in Helen's heart, as her safe
guard, which he was fatally undcrmin-
ing. have digressed thus much, in Or
der, if possible, to give some idea Of
Wcston's real feelings and Intentions
His is not a solitary instance; there arc
many such men cherished in society,
nay, who believe themselves worthy, and
who would shrink from the imputation of
a dishonorablc act, as from death, Per-
haps, had Weston known the full extent
of the mischief his idlo vanity had
wrought, he would have regretted it
deeply, and censured himself severely;
but he never did know it.
left him seated with the cousins
Mary Ann left them for household duty,
and Weston was trifling with some beau
tiful moss roses, binding them among
tho chesnut curIs that hung prolusely
about Helen's brow, and saying some
very poeticaI things on the subject Of
flowers in general, and moss roses in
particular. Helen was fond of flowers,
as all women should be; and she repeat
ed those lines Of a gifted poet, beginning,
The angel ofthe flowers one day'-wilh
much animation. 'There is a story
that linger in my memory, but family,
which grew out Of the custom Of affixing
ideas TO flowers; believe it is in Berkc-
ley's Romance Of Gaudentis di Lucca
The Mazzaronians, with a simplicity
worthy of the early days, used the rose
az an emblem love. A bud accepted,
encouraged the dawning of affe ction in
those single hearted beings; half blown
rose was considered as binding as the
most solemn engagement. l do not
know that there ever was a violation
Of this simple and beautiful compact.
The story is one Of deep interest, full of
fancilul beauty and touching pathos; |
will bring it to you, if you will allow me-
As Weston spoke he disengaged one of
the half blown roses from the cluster,
aud bending on one knee, with an air Of
mock gallantry, Iaughingly offered it to
Helen. Nothing could have been ca
sier to an Indifferent person, than an
acceptance of the proffer, and spor-
tive rejoinder; HeIen's mind was
full of the conversation that had Just
passed between herself and her cousin,
and her heart rose to her lips in tumul-
tuous emotion. With suddeness that
alarmed Weston, she flung the rose far
from her, and rising hastily, and press
ing both her hands on her temples, that
throbbod to bursting, she sought tho
silence of her own apartment.
Helen Clapp had a proud, though an
aifectionate heart-and the suspicion,
which for the first time pressed upon her,
that she was trifled with, pierced her to