Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-06-29

laIner was seized with a sudden illness,
which deprived him of life ere was
conscious Of his danger.-Thus4I was
left beside his cold form, stranger in
strange landau unprotected ophan
but ! cannot linger over my feelings
here.
The eyes Of the orphan girl filled
with tears, and her lip trembled as she
paused a moment before she continued:
Let me hasten to the conclusion of
my story. Aftermy poor fathers death,
| determined, after some hesitation, to
go to Mackinaw. Herbert Leslie is
my only kinsman, and the sole being
in the wide world whose protection |
can claim. Ifhcis i'll, dear Constance,
does he not need the solace of affection?
and will not the pillow of sickness be
softer if am there to smooth it? If
his affairs are now embarrassed, ought
| not to meet the storm as well as the
sunshine with him? And If am here
after to be the sharerof his prosperity,
do you think ] do wrong to Join him,
dear Constance?
You do perfectly right, sweet Al
lice Ireplied, as looked into the ca
ger face of the lovely querist, sand with
a whole life Of tenderness, your cousin
could scarce repay your affection
4 am glad you think it is right She
answered, 4 am sure you would not
say so if it were not-but, Constance,
! have had strange thoughts this even
ing. The song we heard but now was
Herbert's fayorite, and the last one he
sung for me the very hour he left me.
1t came like an electric flash over me,
that warning tone was in that song;
and, for the first time, it struck me
that his last letter was cold and unkind.
What if Herbert has forgotten me, Con-
stance! He is wild and hayward, and
it may be--but no, he could not desert
me; | will not think of it.
Alas; fend Alice! how cruelty did
The morrow destroy thy hopes! How
vert thou stricken, like lily whose
ihiead is ,bowNs kefore ts>eivternas sA--
The next morning the loud voice Of
the mate, crying Passengers for Macki-
naw!' awoke us. We arose immedi-
|ately, and with evident agitation Alice
commenced and finished her toilet. Di-
rectly the Captain came to the door,
and said that he had sent the long boat
ashore for some officers who wished to
examine his vessel; so we. would have
to wait their return. Alice gave me a
look which ! never shall forget, and
we went on deck together. The first
object we beheld was gentleman in
full uniform, with female leaning on
his arm, coming toward the cabin.
There was look of recognition given
by the officer, and intuitively sought
the face Of my companion. There was.
one intense gaze in which the spirit
seemed to come forth-an aspen-like
shivering Of the slight frame--a mo-
ment's pause Of the full dark eye and
deep tinted cheek Of Herbert Leslie's
companion-and Alice with an unfal-
tering step and calm countenance, adj
vanced to meet her lover. Frankly
she greeted him, and, putting her hand
within his own, in a whispsr, asked an
introduction to the lady beside him.
Shamed, surprised, and reproved, Co
lionel Leslie mechanically obeyed, and
presented Mrs. Leslie The bride.
took the hand Of Alice, and, casting
an admiring glance at her husband, as
ifproud ofhim, she said she loved her
new cousin already, because she look.
ed SO much like her own dear Herbert.
Alas! she did not know that he had
thrown away, as sighted, priceless
things, the devotion, the cherished feel
lng .g and confidence Of that cousins af-
lection! Shedid not know that he had
once owned a passion for her, and tur-
ned aside from it, all beautiful and ho-
W asit was! She bent and saluted the
check Of the fair girl before her; but
she little rocked Of the deep still an
guish which wrung that too trusting
heart Alice said not word, but with
smile Of sweet composnrc, she drew
OH the ring Of her betrothal and placed
It on the finger Of the bride, and kiss
ca her brow, and put up an audible.
prayer for her happiness. Then size
took Herbert Leslie aside; and, when
they returnGd his eyes were rcd with !
and his looks were troubled.
Deeply in his conscience were the
wrongs Of that forsaken girl avenged.
The work Of a wdiinded heartwas done;