The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-10-30

Mrs. Malyerton treated Isabel with indifference,
,ometimes with coldness. hut her husband am
ply repaid her ne gieet. Already he loved lsa-
bel as a daughter and how deyotedly she re-
turned that lo,e he was the only object, for
her heart TO cling TO, and she was so very IKE
her mother. that oft times in the heart oil her
uncle, she brought back the olden times OF ms
youth-ihe sister of his childhood. Sueh Sc
ttusion as Isabel persisted in. began at last 10
effect her health her cheek was lar paier than
ls wont. her eye grew heavy. her step SLOW
Her uncle noticed the change, ana urgeu
change in her habits Clara Joined her iaiher'
declaring Isabel would nope herself 10 death.
sitting in her chamber from morning TIL night,
Isabel, yielding 10 their persuaslons' rone OUT
walked or ioined the family circle when yisitsrs
were present. -,
perchance, IL Clara Malveron could have
read Alright her own heart, she had not coun.
s.lled Isabel to leave her seclusion; she had
never supposed for Que moment that her cous-
in would draw away any portion Of that alten-
tioD she had been accustomed 10 receive. But
there was a wonderous charm in Isabefs man
ner. 10 win the admiration OF all who approach
ed her. and Clara saw her the object Of atfrac-
t,ou and interest, greater far than she had ever
been in her palmiest days. The dark passion
of ,ary stirred within her bos0m--thst passion
81, con,enptible in itself, and so degrading in
iis consequences. How ofien has il dlnmed
the brightness OF woman's youth, and mancd
the glory of her beauty
Among the gentlemen who visited at Mr..
,Malveron's, Harry Sydenham aud Edward
Merton were upon terms OF The greatest intima-
cy. The latter gentleman generally designated
a. Ned Merton. of remarkably fine figure
h. read well. rode well, aud laughed muslcaIly
---lons association with good society had gwen
him the quiet aud sell possession natural
TO men of the world. With all these advan,a-
ges there was something repusiye in the coun-
ienance Of Ned--perchance II was the vast re-
dundancy Of whiskers-perchauce 1t was the
black stock worn without "a shirt collar. which
will iinpart east Of vGlgsrity 10 the finest face.
q quote, see Miss Leslie, )--or it might be the
liule black eyes that twinkled most vllIaiuously
from out their mass of llesh-let 1t be what II
would. Isabel turned away in dislike, for she
thought upon that face she could trace the lines
wrought by meanness and hypocrisy.
Merton possessed a small yearly income,
barely sufficient for his support he was an
incorrigibe idler, a hanger on in the houses OF
the rch--it suited him well To partake largely
of the hospitality of Mr.. Malverton. To the
dAueh ehter he was u,eful--he made parties when
there wa. none-attended her when no better
beau prescnred-humbly bowed himself out OF
sight, when they did. Many times had he
thought what desirable thing 1t would be for
him TO marry Cara--an only dsughter her
father reputed very wealthy-surely nothing
could be better! Nor was he quite without
hope, Tor nearly four years he had paid her un-
remitting attention lie was always fayoritc
with Clara, aud although she looked upon his
homage as something she was Of right entitled
to; vet, il he was absent she missed his fattery
and never failed to let him know how much
pleasure his return gave her. Merton could
fri, ay. with the most accomplished among
them, yet. 'twould have been difficult point
10 decide whether Clara or be most thorough
ly understood the art.
There were reasons many why Clara Nal
,rrton hoped in her secret heart to become the
~ifc nf Harry Svdcnham Fo' 'hree geneva
tons the fortune OF the Sydenham's had gone
from father TO son. receiving from each an ad
dliion to be mistress OF the noble mansion
that stood within sight Of her present home
and wife 20 its master was far more than wish
i, was the ruling passion of her heart. Hei
eyc WAS keen TO read the workings of Harry
Sydenham'o face. and already suspicion was
growing into certainty-that he looked upon
Isabel Everett as he never looked upon woman
before
"'Come hlther my dear cousin, pray you.
said Isabel, as Clara entered the room one
evening where she and Sydenham was sitting,
and see If you can convince him of his error
As Clara approached. she was struck as she
had often been Of late. with the beauty Of Isabel
Her eyes were of the clearest hpzel, and the
long Silken hair fell upon a neck white and
pure as marble her fair and noble brow be-
tokened ntellect--softcned into love and wo-
mars genteness, by the sweet expression Of
her beautiful mouth and her smile-thc heart
sprung TO meet it--so appealing, so feminine
was that chi ld-lke sunny smile.
80 In what has Mr.. Sydcnham erred 7 asked
Clara, quietly, as she joined them.
Isabel laughed, aud replied, am sure you
will think it very odd, but he declares nothing
would induce him to marry meek woman-t
all men had been of his opinion, there would
have been little use for that very disagreeable
word--obey.'
Clara smiled, a, she said TO Sydcnham--
Should YOU fancy Kate y"
No. he aswered. nor Peuuchio's office (;
! have ever thought the fair lady of Padua was
tanned too entirely TO the will of her licge
lord aud MASTER in wfc-l should prefer a
woman Of high spirit, who possessed good
sense and judgment TO regulate it,
: think you are very right, Mr.. Sydenham,
vas Claras reply: high spirit is almost always
allied TO energy and decision OF character, with
MANY other good qualities; however, men gen
erally prefer exercising their Judgment for their
wives IS well as themselves,
You will not Judge me by men generally.
ifyou please said Sydeuham. smiling, Il have
no desire TO decide in matters Of moment, for
any one beside myscif-l would not marry
woman whose principles were not OF that fixed
character. to enable her to keep the path Of du-
ty without assistance
To be Continued