Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-09-19

wnlie ne hau squandered vast sums IN
selfish dissipation. Having never be.
fore lost so much at play, this view OF
the case had never before occurred to
him, and it now came to his bosom with
full force, bringing pangs of the keen
est selfreproaeh. He recalled the ma.
ny projects of domestic comfort they
had planned together, some of which
must now be delayed by his impru-
| dence.
That very evening they had spoken
of the rural dwelling they intended to
inhabit, and Louisa's taste had suggest
cd variety Of improvements with
which it should be embellished. When
he left her he promised to return soon;
and now, after a long absence, he came,
the messenger-ifnot of ruin--at least
Of disappointment. The influence OF
wine, had wrought up the usually pla-
cid feelings of St. Clair into state OF
high excitement. His imagination
wandered to the past and to the future;
and every picture that he contemplate
ed added to his pain.
al will go to Louisa" said he. al
will confess all. Late as it is, she is
still watching for me. Poor girl! She
little thinks while she has been count
ing the heavy hours Of my absence,
| have been madly counting wretched.
ness for myself, and preparing the Bit
ter cup Of affection for her."
In this frame of mind he reached his
own door, and tapped gently for adj.
mittance. He was surprised that his
summons was not Immediately answer
ed, for the watchful solicitudc of his
wife had always kept her from retiring
in his absence. He knocked again
and again, and at last, when his pa
thence was nearly exhausted, slip
shod housemaid came shivering to the
door. He snatched the candle from
her hand, and assembled to his cham.
Der. 1t was deserted!
"Where is Mrs. st. Clair1" said ne
to the maid who had followed him.
"Gone"-
"Gone where?"
"Why, sir. she went away with a
gentleman.
"Away with gentleman! Impos-
sible!'
eyes, sir, indeed she went off with
gentleman in carriage"
"Whenl Where did she go?"
al don't know where she went, sir
she never intimated word to me.
She started just after you left home."
"Did she leave no message?"
"No, sir, not any. She was in n
great hurry"
st. Clair motioned the girl to retire,
| and sunk into chair.
"She has left me-" he exclaimed,
"cruel, faithless Louisa! Never did |
believe you would have forsaken me!
No, not cannot be. Louisa eloped!
The best, the kindest, the sincerest of
human beings! Impossible!"
He rose and paced the room, tor.
tured with pangs of unutterable an
guish. He gazed around the apart
ment; and his dwelling, once so happy,
seemed desolate as tomb. He muir
INJURED the name of Louisa, and a thou
sand joys rose to his recollection. All
ALL were blasted! For she in whose
love he had confided-that pure, an
gelic being, whose very existence
seemed to be entwined to his own, had
never loved him! She preferred an
other. He endeavored to calm his
passion, and to reason deliberately, but
in vain. Who could have reasoned at
such moment? He mechanically
drew out his watch; it was past two
O'Clock. Where could Louisa be at
such an hour1 She had no intimates,
and few acquaintance in the city,
Could any one have carried her away
by forcel No, no-the truth was too
plain! Louisa was faithless woman,
and he forsaken, wretched, and bro
ken man.
In an agony of griefhe lefi his house,
and wandered distractedly through the
streets, until, chance directed, he reach
ed the confluence of the rivers. To
this spot he had strolled with his Loui-
sa in their last walk. There they had
stood, gazing at the Monongahela and
the Allegheny uniting their streams,
and losing their own names in that of
the Ohio; and Louisa had compared
| this Injecting Of the waters" to the
mingling of two kindred souls, joining
to part no more, until both shall be
plunged in the vast ocean Of eternity.
Ito the lover-and st. Clair was still a
| fervent lover--there is no remem-
1 brance so dear, as the recollection of
tender and poetic sentiment breathed
| from the eloquent lips of affection; and
| the afflicted husband, when he recalled
| the deep and animated tone of feeling
j 1 IL xsr.,s nj