The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-08-08
following week.

gers. who. to do them justice, were some
what moved by the scene which had taken
plsce, Caroline took her way towards the
mean dark aaIIey where her abode was Sit.
uated She held, as she went, the purse
firmly grasped in her hand, and for the first
time in her life was covetously afraid of lo-
sing it. II may save them,' she murmur-
ed, asshe pressed it to her bosom it may
save them-it may be the means Of restor-
ing them to health, and then will work
for them Though cannot draw or paint
80 well as Alice, can do plain work and
that at least will be taken ut the Reposlto-
ry.' The heart of Caroline lightened ms
she thus communed with herself on her way
homeward. As she drew nigh to that home
she even checked herself for the cheerful
ness Of her feelings, as mood OF mind un-
suited to the situation of those she loved.
One thought, too, of her father, came across
her memory, and subdued her buoyancy.
But what was her surprise, on reaching the
door Of her abode, TO hear merry laugh
from her little brother, such as be used to
vent in former days, but which had long
been nnheard from his lips A manly,
cheerful voice, also sounded from the dwell
ling, the tones of which were at once famil-
lar to Caroline's ear. Amazed AT what she
heard, she opened the door, and most un-
expected scene met her eye. Her sister
was sitting partly dressed, on her low couch,
and her pale countenance lighted up with
beaming smile, and her head supported
ON the bosom of tall, handsome youth,
whose fine features exhibited n striking
mixture Of sorrow and delight as he hung
over the wasted yet lovely being eDfolded
IN his arms. The mother sat gazing fond
~ on The pair, with an expression OF hope
once more illuminng her inspect, and the
little boy was deIightedly playing with the
sword Of the stranger, who was dressed III
"A naval uniform.
All this Caroline saw at n glance, and
she required no more than glance, To
comprehend the cause. Edward Omer !
she exclaimed, rushing joyfully to the side
of her sisters he'd. Yes said the young
officer, rs he imprinted brothers kiss on
Caroline's brow yes, Caroline, it is Ed
ward Omer returned to his Alice, to his
darling Alice. Oh, that should ind her
thus 2 continued he, bending look almost
of agony on the thin pallid cheek that rest
cd upon his breast, and pressing his lips to
il again but she is still mine she is spar
cd to me, and we shall yet be happy Ed
ward, Edward!' interposed the anxious
mother, 'this agitation is too much for the
poor child mo, MOTHER murmured the
weak tones of Alice, his words, his voice,
his love are life to me !
Mrs. Bradley, however, persuaded the
hover to permit his be,rothed-for such a
iice had long been to take To her pillow.
Subsequently, seated by the side OF his mis-
tress, and with her hand locked in his, Ed |
ward Omer detailed TO them his adventures
and the cnuse Of his protracied absence.
He haG had been seized with fever, as the |
vessel to which he belonged was in the Eas-
tern seas, and had been left on shore by his
as one past all hope. After
his recovery, he had been detained contra
ry to his expectation, on being employed
on local mission connected with the affairs
of the great Company of which he was
servant lie had written several times by
the hands of private friends to Alice, but
the altered situation of the Bradley family
had prevented his letters from ever reaching
their destination.
In their turn, Mrs. Bradley and Caroline
to Edward the sad story OF
their reverses, (Which were the consequence
Of a lawsuiI of Mr.. Bradley's death, and
Of the illness with which the family had
been visited. Many, many were the praises
which Edward bestowed on Caroline as the
details of her unwearied exertions and her
,ffectiouate watchings by the sick-beds of
her father, her sister and her brother tell
from the mothers lips. Caroline's kind
heart was deeply gralihed by his thanks.
Blu, she would give Alice her due, and, un-
deferred by any feeling of false pride, she
told how her sisters beautiful work had
attracted the notice of n generous lady, and
lIe consequences that had ensoed from II.
We have not now very much oflhe story
to tell. Alice recovered rapidly from the
effect of her fever, n result owing party II
may be supposed, TO her removal to a bet
Ter abode, and also to her lovers constant
attendance on her during her convalescence.
When that convalescencc had ripened in
to confirmed health, Edward Omer aud
she we're united Long ere this time, how
ever, a considerable change had taken
place ia CaroIino's position. AT the time
appointed, she had met the person who had
Deen her 5enefac,ress on the former occa-
sion at the Repository, and had explained
lie whole history of her family to that lady,
MS well as the happy prospects that had re-
Gently dawned on Alice. Afterwards the
kind old lady who was the widow of an
English peer, visited Mrs. Bradley, and
from what she heard from the fond mother,
became more and more interested in Caro-
line, whom she found to be as highly nc
complished as she was finely endowed in
disposition. The consequences was that
The worthy lady exerted her influence a
mong her friends, aud speedily obtained so
many pupils for Caroline, AS gave her the
of maintaining her mother and
brother in responsibility and comfort.