Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-10-15

lnance, $50 young, and yet so settled in
the practice oi virtnen and as ii his soul
was already familiar with exalted sent-
ment, he felt himself still further purified
from the dross Of human frailty, by the
converse of this daughter of penury.-
Their spirits were indeed congenial, and
whether they chatted on the light topics
OF the day, or dweit on the high interests
of futurity-whether they knet in pray
or, or lifted up their voices in the eve
ming or morning hymn-the same tone
of feeling was awakened in either heart.
4! A week passed away, and the health of
Arvlle was muck improved--a second
was gone, and he could no longer clam
the impunities of sickness. Pursued he
then his journey with alacriiy' Far 9TH
efwise Feelings of mortality, visions
of earthly origin, had at length mingled
with the pure and passionless homage Of
virtue. The evening preceding his in
tended departure passed away gloomily
Nalvina was absent, having been called
10 attend her youngest stcr, who was
taken suddenly ILL.,, aud Arville, restless
and dissatisfied with himself, stole silent
" away, aud stroIed he knew not where.
Passing at length the door Of small
J farmhouse he beheld the form OF Malvi-
ma. HIS whUI Q frame thrilled with emo
ton, and the next moment he stood Oh The
threshold She was kneelIpg beside a pal
| let, and was for some time unconscious of
| his approach Her hair had fallen in
rich masses over her shoulders, and her
attitude developed the graceful Aexure
of her bending figure. Awhile 1t length
uttered her name, and smile crossed
her features at bohoIding him. lie adj
vanced, and inquiring iof the hlie sut-
ierer, learned tha, she was somewhat
better. Still he fingered, though unbid-
den, and & long silence ensu d.
Malvina, absorbed in watching the
slurnbers of her sister, became again un-
conscious OF every other object; aud
while she gazed at the pale and sunken
features of the child, Henry read the
deep conflict Of her heart but too well.
II was uncomfortable excitement. He
approached her.
'Mavina,' he said, 'pardon this abrupt
disclosure of sentiments can 10 longer
dissemblc. TO leave you thus, is I'M
possible; the deep, deep interest you
have awakened IN my soul, renders me
more than a sharer of your sorrows. !
know them all understand, | revere
ihe source from which they sprNg. Sui-
fer me then To look forward to the peri
cd when | may in some degree control
your fate; when Malvina and her or
phan sisters shall s'ave the same home,
Tho same guardian: when it shall be my
task to render that home The seat of con-
iidence and happlness--oh! deign to tell
me if | may cherish this hope; if may
ieave you but to seek the approval Of my
father, and return to receive my trustn
Henry paused but MaIvina seemed
unable to reply. She pressed her hand
on her white forehead, and her delicate
frame trembled with emotion.
'fardon my vehemence,' continued
Henry. 1 would not eXtort the prom
'se that even deicacy alone withheld.
will leave you, but my purpose is fixed.
To Mr. Harley, as your best earthly
friend, | shalt Immediately appeal for his
sanction to my views, and then, Ma.vi |
na, trust to obtain your decision
He rose, but MaIvina now detained
him. She was deadly pale, and there
were traces on her countenance of some
strange emotion, resembling the last |
movement of troubled waters when the |
cause that rullcd them has disappeared
forever.
'Stayn she said, and her voice was !
completely calm, Il may not suffer you
to 60 under the influence Of deusion. -
Gratefully as must feel the high dis
tiucton you offer me, highly as value
your friendship, our fates can never be
united
Henry stood moti0nless, as if sud- !
den blight had passed over him. There !
was solemnty in her manner that car
ried the conviction of an irrevocabe SEN
tonce. Caprice could have no part in
character like hers, and~iIenry felt that
his fate was sealed. The few broken
and passionate sentences that followed,
served only to elicit the confirmation of
his wretchedness. The dignity of his
character, however, regained its ascen-
dant, and that tempest of feeling subsid-
ed. lie took the hand OF Malvina, and
pressed it to his lns
Farewell, lovely and amiable girl! /
go to forget the visions Of gladGess had
but too presumptuously cherished-but
not tho virtues tha, inspired them. |
shall treasure up your image as the awak-
ener of holy thoughts-and whatever
may be my individual fate, my deepest
prayer will embrace your happiness. =
Then, kneeling for moment, and kiss
ing the check of the little slumheror, he
iervently added, 'may heaven restore