The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-02-23
LAWRENCE BAYLEY's TEMPTATION.
IBy the Hon. Mrs. Morton. !


Mary Esdales heart glowed and her ewes grew tear
ful she lifted them the pulpit suddenly Law
renee Bayleys voice iaered-he sentence he had be-
gun became sIammered and broken-the alluson he
was about to make To the temptation Of Jesus and
many OF the saints, abruptly concluded for the space
of minute there dead pause. Something during
that minute irresisbly recalled to Mary's mind the
scene ia the ball rOom might be the subject or the
hesitation and confusion IN Lawrence manner or some
thing in the words he used, or il might be merely
mysterious sympathy but was that as the Thrill
ling sensation passed through her heart she half rose
from her place, and beheld Lawrence's fixed iall
and wildly on the face of Blanche Delamere, and on
her face, upned the gaze of the preacher
a smile, struggling but clearly percepble smile OF
passionate triumph Mary Esdale looked round that
holy place, sancted by all the recoectons of her life
As the pause broken anu Lawrence's words again
claimed the attention of his COngregalon-she looked
all was the she remembered 1.-THE light
stTeames through the stained glass window on
the white aprons OF the little village schOogrs-the
old deaf farmer who for eleven years had leaned IN the
position, with trumpet turned in the direction
OF the preachers voice. still leaned and liseGed in his
accustomed Paee-the aged widow whose children had
one by one beea taken from her, still sat- little more
bent and hue more weakened, in the corner to which
Mary infant eyes had often turned piy-the arched
windows still gave view the old tombstoaes gleam-
ing IN wintry sunlight, All was real Suddenly the
church grew dark Mary Esdale's eyes-the faces
round her wavered and became dim-Lawrence's voice
came like the distant gurglng OF waters on her ear
IN another minute she had tainted.
e" Here is letter for YOU, Miss, said the old servant
al the recl0ry.
The person be addressed turned aud silently took il
from his hand. She was in the deepest mourning-her
face not the face knew four years ago, vet il
Mary Esdde, who sale alone and sorrOwng in the
we-remembeTed room wber' so many happy days had
been spent. Nsthing is more common in novels and
than describe the effects of misery of heart
rather adding TO the beauty of the sufferer never
yet saw in real life an instance Of this. 1t has always
seemed To me, the contrary, that sorrow will leave
harsh lines in the fdcew bring sharp tones
to the soliest voice-lhat tine wringng OF the heart will
wrinkle the brOw-and the memory Of blighted hope
gray hairs in the darkest tresses. Consumption
may spare the beauty of its victimsit is the body osly
which wastes and decaysthe soul still shines
ny from the Young ewes that refuse to look apon death
the heart still sends lis expression Of hope the hec
tic cheek and crimson lip-bu grief is the canker of
the mind and beneath IFS sway the traces Of beauty
fade rapidly as the shadows of evening come down
on the earth. Mary Esdale's figure had become thin
and angular-her gray eyes had lost their sweetness
her voice had changed its She had voluntarily
Ienquished the hand of her lover and left him free
follow who scOrned to be his wife, when only
Blanche Delamere, but thought shane, Wis
TOrTbgon count him in her list Of lovers
She had knelI by the death bed of suffering mother
watched the spark of life which fingered in her
aged grandfather three fretnl and impatient YEARS.
They were Over-the corpse Of the old lay in the
upper room, and his desOlae child safe endeavoring
through her binding tears, to decipher the letter just
put into her hands. Ii ran as follows:-
"Dear Miss ESdale-
have this moment heard of the decease of yoar
pious and worthy relative. Several applications have
been made 10 during his illness, for the living.
had originally intended hlr. Bayley succeed the late
occupant; he has, however, been differently provided
for through the interest of Lady Tonington who has
procured him the chapaincy her uncle, the Duke OF
Chverton; have, therefore. bestowed the living on
the gentleman who lately assisted your grandfather
and feeling, must the sincerest respect and
eNsieaVOrel 10
something to meet yOur own views. NV sister, Lady
NEleanor Ord, who j. old and n6rm, wishes very much
TO persuade you 10 become her companion. She is
about to journey TO Italy, which would do your health
AM spirits good. Her temper is kind and cheerful
and you would 6nd with her pleasant home. Let me
beg of you TO consider this, and TO favor with
speedy reply. Believe ne. always
Your true we'll wisher,