The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-05-15


tented to have lived npart from all the world,
never to mingle again in its scenes, had
Alice been with me. Yet, as | looked at
her, lovely as she was, and met the laugh
ing glance Of her eye, felt that she was
formed to adorn far different sphere.
bee anne selfish in my affection, and when l
lho't of her giving her heart aud uniting
her fate with another, | almost wished, that
she had been less fair. | sometimes spoke
TO her upon this subject, when she would
twiue her arms around me, and assure me
again and again, that she could never love
any one better than me. Aud even,"
she would say, "should | marry, does II
necessarily follow, that | should love you
less BE assured, tha, will never marry
any one, who does not appreciate your
character as highly as do. My husband
will love my friend, dearly as love her,"
| loved to hear her talk thus, for thought
that she spoke from her heart.
Years passed, and We both remained un-
married for myself, | had never even
wished to change my condition. Morbidly
sensitive upon the subject Of my personal
appearance, forgot that sensible man,
who, in choosing a wife, seeks not merely
n toy TO amuse his leisure hours but "A
companion and friend capable of sharing in
his graver pursuits; To whom he mny un-
fold his most secret thoughts; secure of
sympathy and counsel, will consider mere
beauty but ofininor consequence. shrunk
from the thought of uniting myself, to any
one, ollured by my wealth, all ne to seek
my hand. As for Alice, she had been so
unremittingly attentive on her intirm rela-
tive, that she had been secluded from so.
ciely, and had met with no one, upon
whom she would bestow her heart.
When had attained my wenty-iifih
year, in compliance with the wishes Of my
friends celebrated my birthday by an en-
tcrtainmen,. Among the guests invited was
an elderly gentleman, an old acquaintance
of mine, who requested permission To bring
with him stranger who had brought intro
ductory letters to him, from his friends in
, England readily consented, little think
ing how much my after life would be infiu.
enced by the events of that evening. Mf.
Ainsfnrl Qhe name of the strangely came,
was introduced to- me, and requested my
/ Iond in The dance. | think | never mel
r with IA more prepossessing person: he was
not handsome, five except forehead, the
, height and form of which gave promise o
the fine intellect Of lis possessor. He was
not handsome, but there was dignity, Il
nobility (lf may SO speak) about him, that
more than supplied the deficiency aud his
conversation was varied and refined; in
; short, that evening was To me the most de-
|, lghtful liz my existence; and l, who had
T never allowed the dream Of love to cross
my mind, learned to think the hours lous
and wearisome, when not passed in his So
cIety. | gave him an invitation to pnss
some time at my house. The presence oI
an aunt, who had resided with me since my
. fathers death, allowed me, with perfect pro
priety, to do 50. He accepted my invita-
ton, and now a new life dawned upon me
life of pure unaloyed happiness. Oh
!, why could it not last or why could | moi
, die before the change camel
For several months this dreamy state o.
existence continued. ! loved deeply, de.
f votedly aud felt that was beloved il
return. We we're betrolhed, and | CAV,
myself up to delightful anticipntions for tho
future. About this time, Alice, who hac
been travelling with her aunt, returned, af
{ ter having performed the last fIial duties
| to her remains. She died at some Distance
r from nome, at place where.ihey had beer
\ residing for Tho benefit Of sea bathing. A.
d, lice came immediately to me; | received
a her with the warmth of sincere friendship
A delighted to introduce to each other, tho
r two beings whom most loved. Mr.. Aims
q ford had gone out when Alice came, ant
- did not return until evening. l never ha'
4 seen my friend look so beautiful; he
mourning dress coBirasled So we'll with he
4 clear white skin; and, at the same time
: seemed to solicit sympathy and interest, to
e the young orphan, deprived OF her last rel
q alive. Mr.. Alnsford looked upon her will
i evident ndmiraiion and when she retired
: spoke warmly in praise Of her beauty ant
: grace. Pleased by his admiration Of M
: friend, spoke of hcr rs my feelings dicia
i ted | represented her as being as puf'
G and guileless as she was beautiful; told
% her uuiiring devotion to the aged relative
J. for " hom she was now mourning. no
$ ticed that he seemed IHUch interested, u
e my discourse, and asked me many ques
: lions, concerning Alice's birth aud parent
= age. But, so totally free was from any
II thing like feeling Of Jealousy, that ] no
a only answered MI his questions, giving
o brief outline Of my friends history, but,
;. felt happy in the though; that those love'
should love each other.
q The next day, I, as usual, passed ih'
g morning in the library with my bsirolhet
y husband. But not as usual, alone with him
l. Alice now joined in our studies: she, also
I becsme a scholar 10 Spanish and Italian
,s and, being a beginner, naturally rrquire'
I more Of the attention &C our mutual insirnc
,e tor, Than !, who liad made some progre'
Is in the languages. Mr.. Ainsford was inde
d faligsble in his explanations md defnIiion'
a, and, pleased with the aptness Of his neV