The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-06-21

highsouled woman. To Isabel's happy
temper the idea Of marriage with Lord Les
lie seemed fraught with every blessing. He
was handsome, intellectual, wealthy and
devoted to herself-what more could she
ask That he was almost twice her age
never entered her thoughts, or if it did, it
was only To increase her gratitude for what
she considered his unmertted preference.
She had heretofore sporled like happy
child amid life's fairy scenes. hut the hand
OF love applied talisman which awakened
all woman's feelings in her heart.
Lord Lesls proposed in due form, and
was accepted-the preparations for the
marriage were commenced, and Isabel was
the happiest of the happy. Anna supern-
tended the arrangements for the wedding
with pale check but placid coun,epauce
and if thought Of her own biighted hopes
ever crossed her mind, she checked it ere
j, grew into regret. Ye, wha, must have
been the feelings of n woman Of twenty -one
devoting herself to life OF celihacy-a vol
untary sacrifice to flial duty. Oh! how
little do we know Of woman's heart. We
talk Of its petty .sanities. its trifiing jcal-
ousies, because these are straws upon the
surface, visible to the eye of tho most su-
perticial observer; but how little do we
know how to value the pearls of price that
lie within its depths How seldom is it Civ
en- To the grosscr eye of man 10 look thro'
the clear waters Of affection which spring
up within the bosom, and learn the value
of the treasures over which they flow. The
heroism of man is the wonder of an nge !;
il is recorded on the imperishablc marble,
and blazoned in the roll Of history, but the
heroism of woman is Of daily occurrence.
The life of the lowest of the sex is full Of
it, and its only record is tiaced upon her
own pale cheek, or engraved upon her
humble tomb.
tie sister, and il was in accordance with her
wishes that Anna decorated the bridal cham
ber in the singular but beautiful style you
admired this morning. The afternoon Of
the day preceding the marriage, they both
sat in the room and strange to say, Isabel
was Weeping. The thought Of the total
separation that another day would make
between herself aud the sister she almost
idolized, quite, ,overcamc her, and laying her
head on Anna's bosom, she wept with child
like vehemence. A long conversation en-
sued between them, and when Isabel laid
the prayer book, Anna's last gifi, upon her
dressing table, il was with the sadness Of
spirit and soIemnity Of feeling; such ms she
had never before known. Bot summons
from Lord Leslie interrupted the sisters
interview, and in n few uionients Isabel
was sitting in blushing happiness beside her
lover, while Anna was left to weep in soli-
tude.
The afternoon had been very sultry, and
there was that suiIocating closeness in the
air, which generally prccedes q thunder
storm. The ow moaning of the wind ms
II sighed through the avenue, or swept the
stntev elms, was almost like that Of some
crS alurc in mortal agony, so life-like seemed
its voice. The gorgeous clouds Which dra-
period the setting sun, were rapidly chang
ing into the . blackness Of darkness" mud
every thing in nature foreboded the com
ing tempest, when Lord Leslie rose to de-
part must leave you early, dearest
Isabel" said he, for perceive an ap-
proaching storm, and Seim is rot yet truin-
ed to encounter the Iightnng."-" Will you
not leave him, Charles, and take horse
from our stables y asked Isabel timdly.
" No, love, you have made life yeiy pre-
cious TO me, but ] canno, be quite a cow
ard even for your sweet sake--I have but
three miles 70 ride, and in ten minutes af-
ter leave you shall be safe at home"
lie stopped and imprinted kiss upon her
brow as no spoke. Stepping out on the
veranda with him she looked nnxiously at
the threatnisg sky" the heavens frown
upon US, dear Charles" said she, half ies:
tingly," Is not that an evil omen 2" " They I
may frown upon our last parting sweet,
replied Lord Leslie, but they will smile
upon our happy meeting tomorrow. Fare ,
well, dearest Isabel, for the last time, fare
vcH" A servnnt held his horse, aud he !
was about To mount, when Mr.. Wallny-
ford came out and said, "Do not mount
Leslie, | wish to speak with you, and will
accompany you as far ms the porter's lodge"
Leslie, taking his horse by the bride, wal
ked slowly forward, beside Dir. WsIlineford,
while Isabel remained gazing after him from ,
the verandsh. At that moment blaze Of {
light filled the heavens, and q clap Of tbon-
der that seemed to shake the very earth, m-
stan,Iy followed. Isabel saw Leslie's horse
rear and plunge ferceIy, though restrain ]
ed by the strong hand upon his bride. I
They paused n moment beneath an i'm .
mense tree which extended it's branches q
nearly across the avenue, and suddenly Is
abel beheld what appeared to be ball Of I
fire, fall directly upon the tree, while anotb-
er clap Of thunder shook the old mansion
house to its very foundation. Alarmed at
The sound. Anna bnstened to seek her sis c
ter, expecting to find the whole party in ,