The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-03-14


lures, joined to the passionless manner nj
her speech, all combined to give the idea a
spirit, rerisiling the earth to mourn its en-
rerr of earthly sin.
Some weeks past since the last scene
aud, IN spite of the friendly offices of III,
Nun, c"niugal harmony seemed farther of
/ than ever between the ll-assorted couple.
Wrapt up in st udy and research, th'
greater part Of De Vere's time was spent il
the excavations of Herculaneum, und h,
soon wearied of offering repulsed attcn,
tions to his vain and frivolous wfe.-Wnl
his mind occupied by buried city and a
gone by generation, he took too little no.
tice of what was doing in thnt living world
he breathed, but did not exist in.
Lady Wellesley, on the other hand, n
mindless, soulless, heartless woman OF
beauty and fashion, was highly indisnan,
that her sensible husband did not kncel Ia
her charms Of beauty above two months
after their marriage; she looked in the glass
and saw that the talisman was not broken,
nor ever dreamed of strengthening its pow
er by the charms Of temper or of mind. The
admiration of others, still was left her, aud
in this she INDUCED with all the freedom
of an Italian the love of dress and orna-
ment too held a strong power over her
weak mind, and to indulge to extreme in
these, she commenced that finale of all
ruin-play.-She was sitting in her boudoir
late one evening, holding in hand mag
nifcent bandeau, just handed her BY her
maid.
:" How magnificent What size, nnd
how pure their water! Oh Bnbetle, can
return them How they would sparkle in
my hair Whit was that the poet
said about my hair, the other night J.
= Stars to gem the darkness of her hair,
aud that was only an aigre,,s, and this
bandeau But then the pricei Pay for
them never can, aud if accep, them ns
present from the Prince, the price will
be-
"That Of virtue, lady :" answered u
voice, and the Sister Of Charity came for
ward and motioned, coldly, to Bsbeite To
leave the room.
cay. lady, look well on those bits OF
sparkling stone, their price is that of virtue
peace Of mind, and hope, honor TO noble
husband, fame 10 your spoiIess children
Put them from you, they are enwrenihed
with living fire aud will burn TO madness
the brain, blight the heart, and scorch the
young life's blood Pat them away, they
are the bribe Of the seducer, the bait Of the
betrayer J"
How, Louise, what mean you !" ask
ed the lady.
"What say, Indy those bits Of glitter
ing ore are tho spells Of the demon who
would ensuarc you. Once wea. them,
once taint with them your rnatron brow,
and you are lost, body and soul DO you
hesitate! nrc you angry that should com
mand you to be saved Thus then hear
me-" aud in deep emotion. the sister OF
Charity kne!t ut the feet of Lady Wellesley
.' hear me hear mc Once / was fail
aud beloved as thou art, for some damnius
toy, some glittering gawd like this, cas-
( love, hope, happiness, yea life itself away
/ To be as of the dead, to hold vampir
life, living upon memory alone, to he M
unloved, solitary, wretched thing this i
the curse yon tawdry toy will work you
Have mercy on yourself! Have mere
upon me Let me not have sinncd an,
sorrowed in vain Learn from my dread
ful fate 10 sbun the rock spin on Gas
from you the doom Of death and life! !"
| Nothing could equal the passion will
which the Sister of Charity uttered thes,
words tenrs indeed she shed not, bu
deep sobs convulsed her bosom, nnd she
clung to the robe Of the lady ms thougl
pleading for her own life. All weak
minds succomb to strong emotion. and La
dy Wellesley irrcsoluteIy laid the gems
from her.
They are so beautiful !" she said with a
sigh "and, ah Ciel cannot, dare not
offend him by returning them, for already
owe him a larger sum than | can pay, and
you know Wellesley wont pay my play
debts. SO l must keep them ~
"No no no !" exclaimed sister Lou
ise, " it matters not what you owe, you
shall pay, have the money, will give IT
YOU ~
You Sister Louise y
ayes have il Little matters 1t who
goes without, So yOu are saved And, oh !
lady for the love Of God, for the sake oil
your own sweet beauty, for the honor Of
of-your noble husband, for pity Of your
lovely children see him no more Prom
ise, swear to me you will see the arch des-
troyer no more "
Subdued, though not convinced, by the
overpowering energy of her strange COM
psnion, SaIoine gnve the required promise,
accompanied by bystericaI tears mud sobs !;
the Sister Of Charity saw the casket re-
,nrned, she rose slowly and staggered to n
small apartment set apart for her, she en-
tered, gszed fesrfully around, secured the
door, then removing from her face the ena-
mel mask she wore she gave free vent to
signs and tears.-" She is saved She is
saved! I have not lived in vain "
We pass now period Of some months,
To- come to a well remembered time whcn
the malaria, which usually infests Rome
md its yicinities yearly, burs, out with