The herald., 1837-05-01
A Prize Tale.
BY MSS ELIZABETH BoeART OF NEW YORK.

ling black eyes full of fire and intelligence; and when
she laughed with all the glad feelings and unchecked
spirits OF happy childhood, her white and even teeth
formed most ruby contrast with her ruby lips. Free
from care and best Ia the affection and ndugenl Of
hel parents, she felt envy towards those who
raised above her by the mere caprice of fortune Van
Of her personal appearance, and knowing nothing
uthat she handsome, she was perfectly satisfied
with hersel-and, had she been left alone with her
ignorance and her beauty, she might have missed a
few feetng moments OF exquisite and refined ENJOY
ment and escaped after years OF misery and repent
ance.
Young as she was il was her fate to attract the ad
miration and attention of Henry Landon elegant
and accomplished man of fashion. With fine talents,
liberal educatlon and heart alive TO every senll.
men of virtue and generosity, stll eccentric and
possessed mind strongly tlnctured wltl romance
His walk III life was far above that oi Mr.. Wilton,
the father Of Carone-but that was, in his opinion,
the circumstance Of accident and neither detracted
from the merit of Wilton nor added to his own
Landon had Just arrived at the age when tho society OF
a gentleman IS most sought by the ladles-when man
is calculated 10 be most agreeable, most ardent, most
generous most coniding when the flashing sparks Of
genius in youthful mind shines forth with the greatest
brllancyand ere the best feelings OF the heart have
been wrapped by the coldness and treachery and sell
fishness of the world. Many brighteye fell beneath
his glance and followed his rccedlng form with looks
of admlratIon-and many a sweet smile met his APP
proach and threw light on the blush occasoned by
a passing compliment from his lips. Ii was III vain
his heart was lnvulnerable-or rather it was long
thought soyet II was at last surrendered 10 a child.
Caroline Wilton, he fondly thought, might be formed
into the very creature of his lmagnat on and when
once this idea had taken possession of his mind he
could see no beauty attraction, other being.
With fortune not only independent but sufficient TO
crafty every whlm of his enthusiastic and romantic
disposition, he determined TO educate her for his wife
10 bend her young and plant thoughts to those pur-
salts which he most loved and most admlred-to give
her naturally gifted mind the highest polish Of cuva-
ton and mprovement-and then 10 claim her sensl-
tive and greatfu heart as his reward.
A proposal so advantageous, alliance so 1atter-
ng could not fail 10 meet the appreciation of her pa
rents, and was soon communicated 10 the gay and
youthful Caroline. She listened silently and atten-
lively, if endeavorng to comprehend all that she
was expected TO perform; and then, turning to Lam
don with all the candor and ndirette of her happy
disposition, she suddenly exclaimed "Mr. Landon
are you sure you will like me, after you have spent SO
much money and havclearned all that you wish me
to be aught?"
Certainly, my dear, replied he; "but why do you
ask such question:!
Because, | am not certain that shall like you as
well, when you get 70 be so much older"
Landon iorclby struck with the answer. II
was the simple reflection Of a child of nature, and a
deep shade of thought passed over his brow" I'll IS
a wild scheme" sighed he TO himself have en-
baTked on sea OF experiment, III which not only my
own happiness, but that of another, IS involved; and
there moments, when fear that am only laying
up sorrow for innocent and lovely girl and bitter
disappointment for myself-yet few years, thought
he as he accidentally his fine form and handsome
face reflected in opposite mirror, "cannot alter me
so much TO preclude all hope of my gaining a
young lad, > uiiectivn,n
Caroline quick eye the change ia hie oounto-
nance, and with an Intutve sense of giving pain,
creating dspleasure she said in tone of earnestness,
and with the most artless manner " Mr.. Landon /
always say any thing that comes lnmy head to papa,
and he only laughs at mel dare say shall love you
when am grown up; for love papa now, and he i
a great deal older than am"
"put why cannot you love me before you are grown
up, Caronel"
40, because, | can't love every body at once. You
are very good TO me- and will try to like you well
as can-but you not bit like Edgar Morris, and
| can't help liking him the best-for he brings me
nowers and turns the rope for TO jump, and climbs
the trees after fruit and does every thing him
10 do"
Landon smicd-yet he went away from the house
of Nr Wilton less sangune to the result of his plan
than he had entered IL.
Edgar Morris was the son of a ncighboring gentle
man of small fortune, who contrved 10 live gentccly
and even with an ar of elegance, on n very mod Tae
income. lie was two years older than Caroline, and
had been her playmate from infancy; and her words
were literally true, that he would do every thing she
wanted him to do. They were attached 10 each other
as brother and sister, but both too young to
know Of any other kind of love; and ere n childish
sH,-.ion had time 10 ripen into deeper and more
absorbing feeling they were separated by the new
destiny aud employmcnls of Caroline.
Six years had passed away in a constant and often
fatging round of studies, and the beautiful, spoiled,
and ignorant child, was metamorphsed into the
lovely polished, and accomplished woman. Those
who had known Caroline Wilton at twelve years Of
age could scarcely have recognized her al eighteen.
An intellectual expression of countenance had added
surprising charm to her native beauiy-her step had
become graceful and elegant instead OF sprnging with
the Wild elastic bound of early days and her miad
had received and retained the fair impression of virtue
refinement and dclIcacy.
Landon was her constant friend and adviser and
not only the director Of her studies but Of her teach
ers He saw the change which her mind was gradu-
ally working and watched ITS progress with delight
and loved her better for being himself the OF
making her what she
Her feelings toward him were Of nature altogether
different from common. She looked up to him as her
beneactor and her beit friend and she gave him her
hea in fall confidence of his worth and noblencss,
and with the deepest sentiments Of gratitude and es
teem Her love had none Of that romantic fervor
which characterized his attachment to her but was
pure and true and steady and rca capable Of great
sacrifices, while through pride and folly il refused a
trling one
Iandon loved with an nllengrossing passsn-yet
IL knew that the beautiful object Of his dolairy was
not quite perfect With amlable disposition, she
had spirit that would OF brook CONTROL nor bend to
aupht but her own sense Of right and wrong But
neither was nc himself without his faults. His tenn
per was often hasty and sometimes difficult; and his
IDEAS Of proprsty in others were earned somewhat 100
far for a world where much must be overlooked and
much forgiven.
Caroline not generally fond oil amusoments,
nor Of attending public places but for once she had
set her heart on going TO masquerade ~ neighhor.
ing city little doubtful of the approval of her friend
she determined TO mention u TO him, and ask his ADVICE;