The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-03-21


him. she should never become the bride Of
another. But this gave w no uneasinsss,
for we regarded them merely as the idls
words of disappointed passion, and rs no
had left us we thought Of them no more.
Two weeks rolled on in peace and calm.
In another, we expected tbs happy Charles.
There seemed nothing to grievs us. not
even the loss Of Constance, for Charles ex-
pecied to be settled in our immediate neigh
borheod. Thus should gain a friend
and brother instead Of losing sister But
we know not ever what the morrow may
bring forth. Happiness is not for man.
even though it seem within his grasp.
The cup of Joy may s,ani full before us.
yet be dashed from our lips ere we can
taste its contents. Tho day hcforc tina,
on which we expected the arrival Of Charles.
Constance started on visit 10 a female
friend. who resided about mile aud u half
from us, expecting TO return in the evening.
But as it began to rain ia the afternoon wo
concluded she would remain with her friend
I'LL the morning, when MS tho rain had not
abatcd, took wagon with the in,onlion
of bringing her home. On arriving at the
house ] was told that NY sister, though ex-
pected, had not been there
Sir" said the old man, with startling
vchemence care you a broherl Have yeu
an only sister on whom you have lavished
oil the affections Of young and fond
heart Ono who is every thing to you
that womun can be. who is not wife If
you have such being, conjarc up every
look of affection which has besmed on you,
from eyes SO beloved. lie, fancy pain,
every service which can be rendered only
by woman, and which are doubly dear whom
Gaming from the hand of one VS. love.
Then iaucy her lost or in danger. Asd
then, perhaps, you may imagine somewhat
Of my feelings, on henring that my sister
had not been heard Of at the house where
what TO dread--still less. what to hope.
There was no other house in our immed-
into neighborhood, in fact. not within tms
or three miles. So there wss but littlo
hope that she had changed her mind and
gone elsewhere. Yet hope will grasp q,
shadows. Thus did !, as Immediately sst
out to go to another house, abou, three
miles further, whittier my sister had occs-
sionally wished. Iut, alas, my hopes, If
mny SO call them, soon vanished. Con
stance had not hcen there. Aud with my
heart filed with anguish was obliged Il,
return TO that home which had been the
sent Of happiness SO long, bot which ny IL
dings would turn in,o the abode Of dispsir.
With feelings of gloom and sorrow did
| sec the chitnneys Of lint lUycd home rise
upon my view. For tie first timo did
then think Of Charles. He, by this time.
would be waiting there, expecting to clasp
u brido iu his arms, and ,bnt bride wos.
perhaps, elusped in the cold embrace of
death. For the frs, time did then think
how should tell The doiing father, or the
expecting lover, that she, whom they were
waiting to embrace. wss probably lost to
them forever. How would the aged father
bear The loss Of Der who, with flial ntfec-
lion had smool,ed the cares Of his declin-
ing years who was the loved relic aud
representative ofihe wife Of bis bosom--the
dearly loved one of his youtbl Imsgina-
,ion painted the old man bending benoatb
bis loss, and his grey hairs sinking in sor-
row to- the grave. Then the picture Of the
lover, with the frenzy Of dispair Instead Of
the gentle FIRE Of love beamng from hiscycs;
his every hope Of happiness dashed from ,
him when i, seemed within his grasp
would u.urp the place Of the former; aud
while thinking Of tho misery of others.
for a moment, forgot my own. With
thoughts such as these filing my mind, It
seemed but moment before was Ut the
door, we're, as I had expected, stood
Charles and my father. My story was
told, how I know not, for my rsipd was all
confusion. Too well know its effects.
uy father, whose health was feeble, was
overcome by the shock. II laid him upon
n bed of sickness from which he never
arose, bu, to look on the face Of his dying
child The lovcr--but why should / un-
dsrtako to describe his agony. Those who
have loved. may imagine hi, feelings those
who bsyc rot, could not do them justice
if described. Blu, these scenes must prss
over, or my strength viii fail before my
tale 10 finished. For several days did We
,cour the woods in search Of the lost one,
but without any success, or food for hope