The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-01-11

ABODE WIN us. lie soon DeChme a IaNOfite,
for he bore a striking resemblance TO my
lamented mother He had her own dark
eyes-her tall and gro ceful figure, though
east In a stronger mould-hcr winning
smile-nnd her very tone of yoce. To tell
you at ouce, dear Constance, | chose Her
bert Leslie from the many worshippers or
flatterers that knelt al my shrine for was
an heiress--and gold, you know, has mag
ic. had my fathers sanction and approv-
al of my choice; and knew that none
cohld compare with my gny but gifted cous-
in. SO love bound his silken cord around
the wing Of my spirit, aud my whole exis-
tence was woven in the dream Of my first
passion. Ay, Constance, | loved and still
love dear Herbert with IA deep, intense de-
votion-strong even as death itself.
| But the time forour first parting came.
Herbert held the rank of commanding
officer over the distant fort of Mackinaw.
His health had obliged him to quit his post
but as that was re-estabished, it was nee
cssary that he should now return. His alb
sence was limited TO year, aud, as my
father was growing infrm, he proposed that
Herbert on his return should relieve him
from the weight of business. With these
prospects, and mutual assurance of uu-
changing fidelity, we parted; and Herbert
put this amethyst ring on my finger as a
token of consiancy. Alas ! need no
image 10 remind me of one whose image is
linked with all my thoughts.
I" But let me hasten to the sudden rever-
sal of my fortune. Directly after lIerberts
departure, fire broke out IN our street,
which swept with besom-llke destruction
over us; aud IN the midst of prosperity and
affluence, we were thrown upon the depths
of adversity.-My father bore this calamity
with his own fortitude /; and, thankful that
his child was left him, l,e collected from our
large fortune few hundreds, aud we left
New York Immediately for Buffalo.
"On our arrival there, wroc to Herbert
Leslie of our altered circumstances, with my
fathers wish that he should come to us.
A few weeks brought his short answer
A fall from his horse, he wrote, had broken
his arm, and produced n dangerous illness,
from which he was slowly and very im-
perfectly recovering. This, he said, toge,h-
+ er with his present embarrassed affairs,
| would render longer pos!ponemcnt Of our
union unavoidable.
&" This intelligence overw heImcd me
with grief; but was soon called to another
and severer trial. My beloved father was
seized with sudden illness, which deprived
him of life ere ] was conscious Of his dam
ger.-Thus was left beside his cold form,
a stranger in n strange land-an unprotect-
ed orphan-but ! cannot linger over my
feelings here"
'h., .,A .sf oil, Il llaI, sI.
tears, and she paused d nfofnent before she
continued:
Let me haste to the conclusion of my
story. After my poor fathers death,
determind, after some hesitation, TO 20 TO
Mackinaw. Herbert Leslie is my only
kinsman, and the sole being IN this wide
world whose protection | can claim. lfhc
is i'll, my dear Constance does he not need
the solace Of affection and viii no, the
pillow of sickness be softer if am there to
smooth it. If his affairs are now embarrass
ed, ought not to meet the storm as well rs
the sunshine with him And if | am hcrcaf-
ter to be The shnrer of his prosperity, do you
think l do wrong to join him, dear Con-
stance ~
You do perfectly right, sweet Alice"
| replied as Hooked into the eager face Of
the lovely ynerist " and with a whole life
of tenderness, your cousin could scarce re-
pay your affection"
:" am glad you think it is right" she
answered: " am sure you would not say
go If it were not-but, Constance, | have
had strange thoughts this evening: The
song we heard but now was Herbert's favor
90. ,L. A.. Lao Fnr In
very hour before he left me. 1t came like
an electric shock over me, that warn
ing voice was in the song; and, for the
first time, it struck me that his last letter
was cold and unkind. What if Herbert
has forgotten me, Constance! lie Is wild
aud wayward, and it may be-bnt no, Ire
could not desert mel will not think of
it,"
Alas, fond Alice, how cruelty did the
morrow destroy thy hopes How vert thou
stricken, like the lily whose head is bowed
before the storm
The next morning, the loud voice Of the
mate, crying.
i Passengers for Nackinaw " awokc US.
We arose Immediately, aud with evident
agitation, Alice commenced and finished
her toilet. DDecuy the Captain came to
the door, aud said that he had sent the
lopgboat ashore for some officers who wish
ed to wait their return. Alice gave me
look which shall never forget, and we went
on deck together. The first object We be-
held was gentleman in full uniform, witt,
a female on his arm, coming toward the
cabin. There was n look Of recognition
gwen by the officer, aud | ntuitiyely sought
the face Of my companion. There was one
ir:ense gaze in which the spirit seemed TO
come forih-an aspsn.like sbiyering OF the
sl,ybs f,a,n..a ,,,,,,rut's Mana. of the full