Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-06-13

mas gwen an ABIDING place among the associated
recollections of his day--and certainly bearing
cast of character distinct from that of his class
yet Ashton Grey was know as skilful assistant
| in the trade which had been introduced upon our
then gloomy and even dangerous waters. An en-
lgagement of this kind now called him from the
| deep dream, into which he had been lulled, and
the lovers separated hope parts from the heart
And Rosabel was left alone--alone in that
remediess sense, which is often experienced amid
Surrounding crowds, and the merry voices of the
festive hall. From this absorbing sense of lone
illness she was, however, one day suddenly arous-
ed. sColonel Amnesty has arrived, Miss Hamp-
Iden," said the kind matron, II whose hospitality
she was indebted for her present home, "and if
you wish will attend you TO his house. ~ Rosa
/ ell started This was an event, to which a short
time since she had look forward with the deepest
interest; and as such it had been the subject of
her frequent and anxious enquiry. Colonel An
nesly, one of the earliest emigrants to our infant
city, had been her fathers friend in the season of
youthful ardor; and long years Of subsequent
separation had failed to weaken the bond of recip
roca confidence, that then existed between them.
i Business had called him to the asst short time
previous to the arrival of Mr. Hampden, and his
family had accompanied him; but the dying ia
Their, whom fatal disease had met at the promis-
ed haven from toilsome voyage, left in charge OF
his desolate child, letter, consigning her TO Co
lionel Annesly's care, and the agitated girl now
heard of his arrival with rush of overwhelming
and conflicting thought. The image of a beloved
and amented parent-the many deep memories
of years of indulgent fondness, upon which the
grave had forever closed, again swept mournfiily
and distinctly over her heart and the more recent
visions, which for time had reigned there almost
exclusively, faded away. Pale and dropping as
"the bent lilly oyercharged with dew she stood
az half hour after, before her future guardian,
and placing in his hands the deed of her fathers
dying trust, awaited its perusal in silent and con
centrated emotion Col Amnesty was man in
whose character complexional hauteur, fostered
by that species of isolation, which superior wealth
and high qualities, draw around one amid the
common walks of life, was mingled with rich
feelings, and benevolent principles and it needed
not the singular beauty of the delicate and sink
ing being, who awaited his reception, to create
an immediate interest in the orphan child of his
friend. Yet as he at last kissed her pald cheek,
and bidding her fervid welcome to his home
and to his heart, presented her to Mrs. Amnesty
as sacred bequest, joyfnlly received from one,
he had deeply loved, he felt with glow Of the
animated pleasure, that Rosabel Hanpden might
Lu reivono for herself alone She was indeed
taken at once into the close folds ofpaternal care
and the sudden interest with which circumstance
had invested her, was soon, and forever confirm
ed by the enduring charm, which spirit Of
perfect innocence, and mind deeply and deli
cately toned, dffased through her every word,
look, and movement.
Mrs. Amnesty was lovely woman, around
whom the impalpable lingerings Of early sorrow
melted by time into indisncness, but not to
be effaced-hung like the perpetual shadows of
the cypress on the rose of the cemetery; giving q
deepened interest to character composed Of the
gentlest elements. To her, the young, fair orr
phan, soon became inexpressibly dear; and had
Rosabel's heart acknowledged no other ties, than
those which death had crushed the soothing sense
lof afectionate adoption, would have restored her
to perfect happiness. But the fever of strongly
rooted passion preyed upon her young spirit, and
the purity of her nature was panied by its con-
icealment. Yet for one like Rosabel, so tinid-
so resembling the plant that shrinks from the
slightest touch, to throw open unencouraged-
unsolicited, the yelled sanctuary Of vesta love-
iii was an effort to which her strength was une-
quail In vain she strove to utter the name, so
craven on her heart; it died away as it reached
her crimsoned lip, and she fled to her room to-
hide her emotion.
The time appointed for the return OF Ashton
Grey was at length at hand, and she looked Ior-
ward with blended fear and hope to his arrival
She had stolen forth morning alone, and
unconscious that the winds of March were sweep
ing rudely around her, bent her steps slowly along
the margin of the Ohio.--"A rough morning tor
so delicate rambler" cried familiar voice, as
she stood pensively gazing at the stream-and
turning round, she beheld Col. Amnesty at her
side. lHave a care my DEAR" he laughingly
continued "the gust that lifts the gossanler, may
hear YOU off, much more the gale, that has chafed
our usually quiet and beautiful river into so tur-
|bulent mood" and drawing her arm affection
ately through his, he remained gazing with her
at the agitated waves, which were indeed dashlng
against the shore with violence, that gave it a
new and even appalling character. While they
thus stood, three or four approached the bank,
and remaining stationary near :hem seemed deep
Inv engaged in that species of conversation, pecu
lar to the rough and more reckless among the
Hover orders of life. The name Of Ashton Grey,
famiiarly repeated, struck the ear of Rosabel,
and she turned instinctively towards them.
They were rude, vulgar looking men, and her
eve would have been instantly averted, but the
repetition of that magic name chained her nncon-
sc,ous senses, and while she listened with invo-
|untary but intense earnesness, her attention was
drawn to one of the group, whose appearance, or
rather countenance was altogether distinct from
that of his companions The harsh mould Of his