The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-12-12

tonlshed nj the agitation of his daughter,
who handed him the card, and turning a.
way leaned against the manile-piece, the
image of woe. Sydney Allison arrived ~
exclaimed Mr.. Temple where is be i!
when was he here aud why is he gone
-why-whal is the matter with you Au-
gusta The first wish of my heart seems
accomplished, and ] find you weeping.
Tell me the meaning of all this ?" "Oh /!
father" sobbed Augusta, covering her face
with her handkerchief, - he is so ugly, and
you told me, he was so rery handsome"
MIR. Temple could not forbear laughing at
the piteous tone in which Augusta uttered
this melancholy truth, though he imme-
diately resumed, in an accent of displeas-
ure, " am ashamed of your folly--I have
always given you credit for being a girl Of
sense, but you talk like little fool--ugly |!
If man is not ugly enough To frghten his
horse, he is handsome enougb.-Besdes,
IL is nothing but n whim--l saw him when
child, and he was an uncommonly beau
tiinl boy. l hope you did no: behave in
this manner before him-why did you sui-
fer him TO go away 7"
custa, in considerable trepidation, for she
feared her fathers anger" aud he looked
SO thin and wo-begone, ! thought he was
some foreigner asking charity, aud when
he took out paper thought it n petition
and said something about one--so he was
angry, believe, and went away, saying he
had letters for you from friend, who was
dead" And is he dead !--the good old
man the best, the earliest friend | ever
had in the world-dsad and gone !" MIR.
Temple leaned his face over on his hands,
and sat IN silence several moments, as if
struggling with powerful emotions. After
n while, MIR. Temple lifted his hands, and
fixed his darkened eyes upon his daughter.
lie took her hand with affection and solem-
nifty. Augusta, you are the child of nf-
fluence as well as of indulgence you are
my only child, and all the wealth which
now surrounds you with luxury, will be at
your disposal, after my DEATH" "Oh |.
father, do not speak of such n thiog."-
"Do not interrupt me. Mr.. Allison, the
uncle of this young man, was my bepefac
tor aud friend, when all the world looked
dark upon me. He exiricated me from diff
fculties which it is unnecessary to explain
gave me the means Of making IN ample
| fortune, aud asked no recompense, but u
knowledge of my success. II was through
his influence was united to your now an
gel mother-yes! | owe every thing 10
him wealth, reputation, and a brief but
rare portion of domestic bliss. This dear,
benevolent, romantic old man. had one
nephew, the orphan child of his adoption,
whom he most tenderly loved. When COM
mercial affairs carried me 10 Cuba, about
ten years ago, Sydney was charming
boy,"--here Augusta groaned--" n charm
ing boy aud when ] spoke with a fathers
pride, Of my own little girl, whom had
left behind, my friend gaddened at the
| thought, that the union which had bound
our hearts together would be perpetua:ed in
our children We pledged our solemn prom
/ ise TO each other, that this union should
take place at flung age you have long
been aware of this betrothaI, and | have
seen with great pleasure, that you seemed
to enter into my views, and to look forward
with hope and animation to the ful6lmeni
of this contract. The engagement is now
doubly binding, since death has set his nw-
ful seal upon it, 1t must be fulfilled. Do
not by your unprecedented folly, make me
unhappy at a moment like this" For
give me, my dear father, but indeed when
you see him, you will not wonder at the
shock have received. After all you had
said Of him, after reading his uncle's letters
so full Of glowing descriptions, after dwell
1 ling so long on the graceful image my fan
cy drew, 10 Gnd such dreadful contrast" "
dreadful contrast; why surely he cannot
be transformed into such a monster" -
" You have not seen him yet" said she
mournfully. mo you remind me Of my
negligence. After the strange reception you
have given iiim, IT is doubly urgent that
should hasten to him. Have care, Au-
gusta, you have always found me very
indulgent father, but in this instance,
shall enforce implicit obedience. ! have
only one fear, that YOU have already so dis.
} gus,ed him with your levi,y, that he may
refuse himself, the honor of the alliance. v
3" lie refuse me-" murmyred Augusta, in a
low voice, ms she glanced at herself in ,
mirror that shune above the mantle piece
As the nature of her reflections may b,
well imagined, 1t may he interesting to fol.
low the young man, whose figure had made
so unfortuno'e nm expression on his intend.
ed bride, aud learn something Of the feelings
that are passing through his mind. sgd
ney Allison returned to his lonely apartment
ut the hotel, with a chilled and nchins
heart. The bright day dream, whose beau
ty had rheered aud gilded him, even whilc
mourning over the deaIh-bed of his uncle
while langGishiug himself on the bed Ut
sickness, and while sea-sick mariner, b,
was tossed upon ibe boisierous waves--ihi,
dream was fled. She, who had always
risen upon his Imagination, rs the morning
star Of his destiny-this being lie had met
after years Of ronaniic sniicipation-whs
meeting! lie was well aware Of the sad
ravsges, one of the violent feyers of a