The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-08-28

regiment, then absent in ireland, but who
left his gudescoman to wear the willow in
the village Oft, Rupert saw, admir-
ed, and coveted the fair form have 90
family described. Chance favoured his
hopes.-He entered one day the cottage
of poor man, whom, in the inconsistent
charity Natural to him, he visited and re-
lieved. He found Miss Warner employ
ed in the same Office; he neglected not
his opportunity; he addressed her, he ac-
compsnied her to the door of her home;
he tried every art to please a young and
unawakened heart, and he succeeded
Unfortunately for Mary, she had no ono
among her relations calculated TO guide
her conduct, and to win her confidence.
Her father, absorbed either in the occupa-
tions Of his trade or the visions of his
creed, of a manner whose repeIlent auster
ity beled the real warmth Of his affect
ions, supplied but imperfectly the place Of
an anxious and tender mother; nor was
this loss repaid by the habits still coarser,
the mind still less soft, and the soul still
less susceptible of the fraternal rake, box
er, and good fellow.
And thus was thrown back upon that
gentle and feminine heart all the warmth
of its earliest and best affections Her
nature was love; and though in all things
she had found wherewithal to call forth
the tenderness which she could not re-
strain, here was vast treasure as yet un-
discovered, and depth beneath that calm
and unruifled bosom, whose slumber had
as yet never been broken by a single
breath. 1t will not therefore be matter
of surprise that De Lindsey, who availed
himself of every opportunity-De Lind
say, fascinating in manner, and consum--
mate in experience, soon possessed dan
gerous sway over a heart too innocent for
suspicion, and which, for the first time,-
felt the luxury of being loved. lr every
walk, and her walks hitherto had always.
been alone, Rupert was sure to join her.,
and there was supplication in his tone,
and respect in his manner, which she
felt but little tempted to chill and reject
She had not much ofwhat is termed digni--
ty; aud even though she at first had some,
confused idea of the impropriety Of his:
company, which the peculiar nature ofher'
educ alton prevented her wholly perceiving,
yet she could think of no method to check
an address so humble and diffident, and to
resist the voice which only spoke to her
in music. 1t is needless to trace the pro-
gress by which affection is seduccd.
She soon awakened to the full knowl--
edge of the recesses ofh her own heart, and
Rupert, for the first time, felt the certain.
ty of being loved as he desired. "Nev--
err" said he, "will betray that Affection
she has trusted in me and she shall not be-
deceived; she is innocent and happy;
will never teach her misery and guiltW-
Thus her innocence reflected even upon
him, and purified his heart while it made
the atmosphere of her own. So passed
weeks, until Rupert was summoned by ur-
gent business to his estate. He spoke to
her Of his departure, and he drank deep
delight from the quvering lip and the tear
ful eye with which his words were receiv-
ed. He pressed her to his heart and her
Inconsistencies sfguilt was her protect
ion from it. Amid all his sins, and there
were many, let this one act of forbear-
ance be remembered.
Day after day went on its march to etcr-
nifty, and every morning came the same
gentle tap at the post office window, and
the same low tone of inquiry was heard;
and every morning the same light step re-
turned gaily homewards, and the same
soft eye sparkled at the lines which the
heart so faithfully recorded. | said every
morning, but there was one in eachsweek
which brought no letter--and on Monday
Mary's step was listlcss, and her spirit de-
jected-on that day she felt as if there
was nothing to live for.
She did not strive to struggle with her
love. She read over every word of the
few books he had left her, and she walked
every day over the same ground which.
had seemed fairy-land when with him;
and she always passed by the house where
he had lodged, that she might look up TO-
the window where he was wont to sit.---
Rupert found that landed property, where
farmers arc not LEFT to settle their own
leases, and stewards to provide for their
little families, is not altogether sinecure.
He had lived abroad like a prince, and
his estate had not been the better for his
absence. He inquired into the exact
profits ofhis property; renewed old leases
on new terms; discharged his bailiff; shut
up the roads in his park, which had seem