The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-12-19

ure TO observe one, who possessed strong
interest IN her eyes, rs the friend of ALI
son. And seldom does the eve of woman
rest upon a more grNceful, or interesting
hgure, or more expressive aud glowing
countennnce. There was alambcni bright.
ness in his eyes, u msntling bloom upon
his cheek, that indicated indwe,Suv l.h,
and conscious youth. HIS hair Clustered
in soft waves round his temples, relieving
by its darkness, the uusunncd whitcness os
his forehead. Yet the prevailing charm
was manner. that indescribahle charm,
that, like sunshine in The summer land
scspe, gilded and vivificd The whole. The
acquisition Of such guest gave life and
animation to the domestic circle. Mr..
Manning was n man of varied information,
and the society Of this accomplished travel
Ter, recalled the classic enthusiasm Of his
earlier days. Mary, though usually reserv-
ed to straugers, seemed fascinated into a
forgeifulness of herself, and found herself a
partaker Of a conversation TO wllch at first
she was only tinid listeners Augusta,
W lille she ncknowledge the strangers un-
common power to please, was pre-occupied
longed to be alone with Mary, whose sym
pa,hy was always as spontaneous, as it
was sincere. She was not disappointed In
the readiness Of Mary's sympathy, but after
having listened again aud again, and ex-
pressed her hope aud joy that all would be
for the happies, and best, she returned To
the subject next in interest, the bearer of
this precious document" All my dear
Augusta" said she, "if Allison's noble
spirit had been enshrined in such n temple,
you had not been parted now" Augusta
elt the comparison odious. II brought be-
fore her the person Of Allison IN too inelan-
choly a contrast with the engaging stranger.
81 thought it was Mary Manning" an-
swered she, III grave tone, "who once re-
proved me for attaching too much impor-
tance tn manly beauiy-i never thought
YOU foolish or unkiud until this moment"
Forgive me-" cried Mary, with irresis-
tible fnnkness F; 4" foolish may he, indeeC
know am; but Intentionally unkind Il
on-nevet-never." II did not requir
the recollection or all Mary's tried friend
ship and sincerity, for Augusta to nccor
her forgiveness. Mary was more eunrle
afterwards in the expression Of her ndmira
iioD, but Augusta, in her imaginaiion, bn
drawn the horoscope Of Mary's destiny, mn,
Clarence shone there, MS the star that VA
To give il radiance. A constant guest %
her fathers, she thought n Impossible f.
him to witness Mary's mild, yet energetic
virtues, without feeling their influence
She wns Interesting without being benuiI-
ful, aud Clarence evidently delighted ia
her conversation! To her, he was always
more reserved, yet there was n Difference
an interest, constant reference to her wish.
es aud opinions, that was MS delicate US i,
was flatieriDg. lie was the companion o
their walks, and nature never more lovely
than in this delightful scasoni acquired new
charms from the enthusiasm with which hs
sought out, aud erpatiated on its beauties
MIR. Manning was passionaiely fond Of mu'
sic, and every evening Mary and Augustt
were called upon for his favoriie songs
Now the music was finer than ever, 70
Clarence accompanied them wnh his flute
and sometimes with his voice, which wa
uncomnonly sweet AID melodious. On,
evening Augusta was seated at the piano
she was not an excelling performer, but sb
played with taste and feeling, aud she hn,
endeav0red TO cultivate her talent, for sh
remembered that Allison wns n lover If mu
sic. She had played sll Mr.. Manning
songs, and turned over the leaves, wiihou
thinking Of any particular ture, when Clar
ence arrested her at one, which he said wa
Allison's favorite air. "Let US play an
sing thni." said he, repeating the words
q" your husband loves tive were iogethe
when we frst heard il 1; il was sung by n
Iinlian songstress, whom YOU have ote
struck the as resembling. The manner !
which your hnir is now parted in front, wit
those falling curls behind, increases the re
sembIance--it is very striking Mt this me
ment." Augusta felt strange pang pen,
traic her heart, when no nsked her for HI
husbands favorite. There was somethin,
too, IN his allusion to her personal appen
ance that embarrassed her. He had PM
her no compliment, yet she blushed as
E guilty ofrecriving one. I" ] cannot play 1t,
= answered she, looking up, "but ! will u
E TO learn IL for his sake" She could N
E prevent her voice from faltering there WI
an expression 10 his eyes, when they ~
e herr, that bowed them down, in shame nr
}. apprehension. IL wss so intense and thri
: iins-she had never met such glance b.
e fore, and she feared to interpret IL. Sha
}, J sing " for you" asked he; and leanir
D over the instrument, he sang in low, me
= low voice, ons of those impassioned strain
n which the fervid genius Of Italy alone ca
= produce.
$ The words were eloquent Of love ar
II passion, mud Augusta charmed, melted
y their influence, could not divest herself Of
I feeling Of guilt, rs sine listened. A new ~
r. powerful light was breaking upon her; tru
held up It's blazing torch, flashing its RI
}, into the darkesi corners &c her heart; ~
II conscience, discovering passions, of who
= very existence she had been previously u
n conscious. She saw revealed 10 prophe
II vl,ion, the misery of her future existen,