Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-07-23


even more frmness, than distinguished most
women of that period. True, she was staid, and
sometimes melancholy, like one who had left be-
hind her all tho verdant spots i'm the wearisomc
desert of life yet she was ever active in her du-
ties, ever ready to sympathize IN the grcfs and
anxetes Of others. The voice of Frances lost
nothing of its melodious kindness, and the ma
irons ofihe village looked on her light step with
as much pride, as they had in the happy days of
her childhood; but shadow had passed over
the sunshine of her face, and when she smiled
on her mother, it was in the deep sadness of anx-
ions love.
Months passed away. The far-of' din of bat
tie came TO them, only in broken and uncertain
echoes In the new state ofthe country, and at
that troubled period, all the communication be-
tween the army and their friends, was difficult
and dangerous. Nothing was known OF Joseph
since his abrupt departure. Whether he had
actually joined the British forces, or merely Sc
GREETED himself from his infatuated countrymen,
remained doubtful. William had not been seen
or heard of since the thrilling look oftonderness
and pity which he gave 10 Frances, as she stood
by the side of her lifeess brother; but morning
and evening, tervent prayers for his safety arose
from the lips OF those, by whom he was so de-
servedly beloved. Left TO the quiet communion
OF her own spirit, Frances found that her affec-
ton for him had taken deep and vigorous root.
Each succeeding day increased its power; for it
is one OF the strangest perversities of love- that
absence strengthens it far more than constant
presence. The memory of his devotedness to
her and her widowed parent, was associated
with every thing around her; and each day,
some deficiency in their household comfort re-
minded them the industry and kindness, which
had so promptly supplied :heir wants. A thou
sand nameless attentions, trifling in themselves,
but Invaluable 10 womans heart, crowded up
ON her memory. She sent him a letter, In which
this state of feeling was most frankly expressed,
and when one tedious week after another passed
away, she gave herself up to the conviction that
it had never reached him. A brief note did,
however, at last arrive. 1t contained merely vi
oleDt protcstations of unalterable attachment,
and besought her 10 meet him between the hours
of six and seven, in an adjoining wood. 1t sta
ted that life and death depended on her scrrecy,
and that even her mother must not know Of the
interview.
tWhy this mystery thought Frances, as
she read and re.read the singular cpistlc. " Pro.
baby he has stolen from military duty, and de-
lection would be death" said she to herself, vet
surely my mother might know of it," All her
coIjectures ended in the suppositon that WILL
liam had some good reason, and that she ourht
to comply with his request. Fear never once
crossed her guilelcss Imagination. William had
from his cradle, been to her a brother, and to
dlstrust him, was like Greading contagion in the
pure balmy air she had breathed from childhood.
At an early hour she was seen passing through
| the vl!age,-her little, well-kmown cipsey ha {
| lightly resting on prsfusloD Of glossy hair,
beautiful as shower Of sunbcams.' She had
giving parting kiss to her mother and Mr..
| Warner, with joyousnes for which they could
not account and as her slender little figure pas
sed along like vision of light, the neighbours
| all remarked that her smile was brighter, and
her step far more buoyant than usual.
Evening come and she returned not The
fears of the anxious mother increased to dread
full intensity At last a traveller told of horrible
screams which he had heard from the wood
large band of old men, women and children,
suddenly collected, and hastcned to the spot he
her down in her youth and beauty! The love-
ly face, still and pale as marble, had yet a shad.
ow of tie mploring lock which last passed over
it, her long, fair hair was tangled in shrubberr
and the sword, which had been farewell pre-
sent to her lover, lay all bloody af her side
Those who heard her mothers Shrek carried
the remembrance oft to their graves. She had
endured much, bat her burden was miphtier
than she could bear She never smiled after
| she had looked upon that fearful sight Her
short life was but protracted agony !; and before
three months had elapsed, she slept by the side
of her murdered daughter
There needed no Sibel to point out the assas
sin. When the light of their lanthorns frs
fell on the lifeless being so dear to them all
the wretehcd father Of William Warner claspet
his hands in coDvulsive agony, and groanet
out, " Oh Joseph :" and he indeed it was, whose
guilty hands had thus madly torn the beauteous
one from life, and its most enchanting hopes
His hatred Ola brother, whose excellence ht
would not initiate, had been greatly increased
| by the transfer of the sword to him, and by
parting interview, which he had overheard, be
tween him and Frances DeservedIy surpassed
in his fathers affections, and rivalled in hi
passionate love, his naughty spirit was goadeC
to the itmost.-The night he left them, hi
swore to his own soul deep and sure revenge
tie sought the American camp in character off
spy; he obtuined access to the barracks Of the
unsuspicious William, and Selling the fa,a
sword which had so much ombittered his malice
nc aimed a death blow at his only BROTHER
struggle ensued, and William was well nigl
proving victoriour, when in the voice ofhs ear
lier years he exclaimed. " William " TIL