The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-04-05

ceals from us by an impenetrable veil. the
events oi fuinrlly. Among the late arrivals
a, Bedford was that of Mary Wendal, de-
ciJedly one OF the most fascinating crea-
lures Ia manner, and.most unieeling in heart.
that II has ever been my lot to meet. She
was not coquetle, for in my opinion the
character requires more sensibiity and tact
:han she was possessed of and moreover
she was at the Springs as the avowod in
tended ola gentleman of fortune in her own
city. However, be that as i, may, she was
certuinly no model of constancy, and by
her winning measures and navetie soon be-
came the centre of attraction 10 the gentle
men. No party was worth Joining, of which
she was not prime mover, and no ball could
go of well if she failed to be present. For
some time after her arrival George Grahpm
manfully resisted all her endeavors to attract
him to her side, aud Mary was not a little
piqued az his total disregard of her, and his
attention to the arless, simple Isabelle. AT
length she spoke of her wish to get him in
her train, of his prepossessing manners and
gentlemanly appearance, and condescended
to give him from her own ruby lips an in
viialion to join riding party then on the
ltapis, ana TO which Isabelle was not invi-
ted.
As much from the solicitation Of Miss
Courtney and her mother, ms from his own
wish, George went, aud thenceforward Miss
Wendwail became his great fnvorite, and
he her most devoted admirer and constant
attendant, and many were the reports Of
the probability of his supplanIins her quan-
doul lover in hes affections, il indeed she
possessed any.
To Alice, the change in his conduct was
a source OF great anxiety and distress TO
Mrs. Courtney n matter oe perfect indliier-
ence, so long as Isabelle appeared to dis
regard it, but to Isabelle herself it was per-
fsctly inexplcable, that George Graham,
who bur few weeks since was anxious to
anticipate her slightest wish, and crafty
her most unreasonable wliim whose hours |
and days were spent by her side, as if il !
were the only place in the wide world he
coveted, that he should treat her as a mere
commonplace acquaintance, aud To pay
her but the usual civii,ies due to such
She could not realize the change. Grad
ually, however, it influenced herown man
ners she became so studiedly cold, SO
calmly polite, as TO make even the unwil-
ling Alice observe the change. But George
appeared too much absorbed in his devotion
10 Miss Wendall and too much occupied
with her society, to bcstow time or thought
upon any one, and the few moments he de-
voted to his invalid sister, were all that any
one clnimed from the rcigning belle.
The deserlion Of tie brother seemed but
Al, 11n lei, IN
of the sister aud Isabelle, when the former
was, by weakness, confined to her apart
ment, the latter might always be seen, oc-
cupled in administering to her comfort, or
watching her slumbers.
Thus weeks wore away until party was
formed to visit tue town of G.. about so
miles distant, where II wns proposed to stay
four days. Whether from caprice or what
motive we knew not, Miss Wendall, ns prime
mover, extended her invitation 10 Isabelle,
who, however, declined it, as Alice was too
weak to accompany them; moreover, she
felt little inclination To throw herself into
the society of George Graham, more than
she could possibly avoid. His company
Miss Wendill would in nowise dispense
with, nor did he seem anxious TO remain at
home himself, although his sisters health
had been rapidly on the decline for several
days. He therefore took an aifecrona,e
farewell of her, and bade adieu for short
tiric to Mrs. Courtney and Isabelle as
though he considered his own conduc,
culpnbIe, and set or With the party. Alice
seemed to feel the deserton sensibly, but
she was spared the pain Of broodlng over it,
for few hours nfcr his departure she rup-
tured blood vessel in coughing, and the
attendant physician considered her life in
imminent danger The young girl regard
ed her approaching dissolution with saiut-
/ like resignation. Death had but few ter
I rors for that pure being, all that seemed to
chain her spirit 10 this sordid world was the
remembrance Of that brother whose con-
duct Of late had so panied her. She coun-
ted the weary hours that must elapse with
undisguished anxiety. Sickness and suf-
ferlng seemed at length to subduc her keen
desire for his presence. She ceased TO
mention his name except when alluded To
by others, and depending upon.the various
fluctuations in her situation, Mrs. Courtney
feared TO alarm her brother unnecessarily
by sending for him express.
Throughou, the many hours Of sickness,
, Isabelle was her constant companion, her
unwearied nurse, the indefatigable soother
Of her suffering and the hrcling attend
/. ant marvelled to see one so young, devote
{ her time so assiduously to n sick friend.
i, Hour after hour the strength of Alice
1 Graham failed more perccptibly, and death
: seemed at length ready for his victim.
s George had now been absent four days, and
n a, the certainty Of speedy dissolution be.
r. come apparent even to herself, she looked
4 assip with feyerish anxiety for his return.
;. The changes pecular To her disease, aud