The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-08-19

strongly marked the brutality of his disposition, he
quilted her and shortly afterwards retired to France.
Thence on her marriage, he had written her an in
solent letter, upbraiding her with coquetry, and
threatened to take full revenge upon her husband
for the imagined ill-eatmeDt he had received at her
hands This letter, it appeared, Emily had con-
cealed d-beng afraid, had she showed 1t to her hus-
band, its insulting tenor would have produced dis
astrous consequences. In the mean time, Benson,
Notwithstanding his threats, did not return to Eng
land, and she imag gined the danger was passed,
when his sudden appearance and malignant bearing
at the race recalled all her apprehensons, and pro-
duced that agitation which had principally induced
the feeling of hatred that suddenly possessed me-
The conceament of this letter had occasoned the
first reproof which Emily had ever received from
her husband, and this had called forth the tears
had lately witnessed.
After explaining these circumstances, Walter de-
clared his determination to insist upon meeting
with Benson prior to the decision of his quarrel with
me- the offence given to him by the latter of
an older standing than the difference with me. To
this, however, absolutely refused to onsent,-and,
after much difficulty, succeeded III convincing him
that the meeting already agreed upon could not be
waived with my consent without compromising my
honor j could not, however, persuade him from
accompanying me to the field, though from fear
of alarming Emily, wished to employ the offices
of an acquaintance the occasion. To conceal
from her all suspicion of the case, it was agreed we
should attend the ball which To be held that even
ing at the town of the
The night came the scene Of gaety was brilliant
and exciting the music, the light, and, above all the
throng of beautiful women, seemed to set care and
misery at defiance. As gazed on the life and ami
nation around me, the thoughts of the morrow came
chill and damp; there contrast between nv
present position and that which in few hours
must occupy. which produced dlsagreable effect !;
and the contemplation Of mortality the dull, dark
and desolate associations of death never could be
painfully con,rastcd than with the blaze of life
which surrounded me ; the very smell of the grave
seemed to rise and minge with the air that was filled
with sounds OF harmony and the music of human
happiness.
seaet myself in a retired position, and gazed on
the moving throng; all were gay and bright; many
were beautiful but there was one who surpassed
them alI.-In the may dance, none moved with the
grace, the lightness aud the ease of Emily; halo
of loyeliness surrounded her. all other sounds, fa
dcd from my eye and ear, and she alone was before
me the waving beauty of her motion dazzled my
vision, and her loolfillI seemed to yibrate my
heart. The fear of death and the shadows of the
grave passed away; vision of the morning was be-
fore me, and my soul was wrapped in bliss.
Suddenly the charm was dissolved shadow of
night rose to my eye and dimmed the beauty of my
dream he with whose sight the thoughts of blood
and death came breathing like pestilencc mingled
all to bitterness. watched him as the tiger watch
es the hunter approaching the bed of its young; an
idea of danger distress to the object of my ldola
try was associated with his appearances | seemed
to await signal to rush at his throat and strike him
cad,-and the signal was given, but l fore
stalled.
The dancing had continued for some time with
great animaon,-and Emily appeared to have for
gotten III the excitement of the scene the distress
and alarm of the morning, when Benson suddenly
made bis appearance, and, without being seen by
her, approached her back she stood in pause
of the dance, him stoop his mouth to her ear,
and Immediately, as if the venom of his breath
had slain her, she uttered a faint shrek, and would
have fallen had not the cause of her alarm caught
her in his arms. | sprang towards them,-but IN
an instant, Walter who was in the dance and had
observed what passed, rushed to his wife, and with
one hand snaching her fainting form to his breast
with the other feed Benson to the floor
Immediately all was confusion; Walter bore
Emily To a sofa, where they surrounded by a
hundred oflicous riends,-while the fallen Benson
who had recovered bis feet and was toaming with
impotent rage, was forced into another room by
party of gentlemen-Walter, having at last resigned
his wife to the care of her female friends joined me,
and we retired to another apartment to await
message from Benson. The person who had done
similar erraud to me soon appeared, and demanded
of Walter meeting for his friend at the time and
place appointed for me this was readily agreed to
and Emily soon after recovering from her swoon
Walter bore her in his arms to the carriage, and
we proceeded home,
1t was melancholy ride the trembling girl,
full of horrible autcipations, lay sobhing on the
breast of her husband--now blaming her own folly
for having allowed her alarm to overcome her {;
then begging forgiveness for the conceament of the
letter; and, her fears wrought on her Imagination
rantlcally beseechug her husband not to quit her.
1t was hard trial for poor Walter he pressed his
weeping wife to his heart, and kissed her throbbing
brow, and tried to soothe and reassure her; but
there was a huskiness and choking sound in his
voice that told too plainly the DISSOLUTION of his own
heart.
We reached home and retired to our rooms. | sat