The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-07-10

had not been Ingenious with her. thought that
few men were SO formed to dazzle the imagi ina
ton OF an unsuspecting young girl aud ] had
seen him, when he would sometimes seem
willing TO sacrifice his lofty ambition aud as
pirlns hopes 10 gain the ileeting regard OF some
new being of fashion. l feared that my dear
friend was deludng herself into the belief that
she might cherish an innocent though roman
tic attachment for the husband of her friend
a delusion that would be fatal not only to her
own happiness, but 10 mine.
did not see her after our ride, until she
came down arrayed for dinner party. She
was splendlily dressed and looked radiant in
beauty; she had recovered her cheerfulness
and seli-possession, kissed her afiectionately,
and told her was delighted TO see her look
so lovely. Henry handed her to the carriage,
and saw smile illumine her face, and blush
OF surprise and pleasure spread over her coun-
tenance, as he stopped at the door TO bid her
adeu. As he turned to come in, the express
ion of his face gave me a chill, aud a shndder
ran through my frame 1t had look OF tn
umph aud satisfaction, for which | could not
account.
He was going the next day on a distant ex-
cursion, and expected 10 be absent a week at
least. Employed in making his business prep
arations, he allowed me no opportunity TO OBJ
serve his feelings. About eight o'clock he
came in, and he looked so cheerful and happ,
that my mind was re-assured. | resolved no
to disturb his few remaining hours, by maxim.
inquiries which might lead TO painful discus
sons. We passed the evening aonc chatted
and had music, rs We used TO do when we wer,
at our happy home in the country. / for.
gave him silently the look of affection lac hac
given Eliza, and was almost ashamed of IN,
jealous fears. Al ten O'Clock he started up, anc
said
You must be tired with the oxertion you
have made to-day, my dear Laura, aud you
had better 60 TO bed,-as Eliza has gone TO
public ball this evening, and IL will be proper
for me TO see her safe home
Before had time 10 speak, he had kissed m,
and left the house.
vas now in an agony Of suffering. groan.
ed clcnchcd my hands, raved about ~,
room until | was exhausted, and then sat down
and tried to recolect myself Many littlo
circumstances in the conduct of Henry occur
red TO my mind, and conviction that his al.
iectons were lost 10 me forever, almost made
me distracted, ] spent an hour in this dread.
iul state; the idea of my sweet children al
length came over my mind. and went to the
nursery. They lay sleeping sweetly together
and burst into tears.
20 Henry" | exclaimed, how could yol
blight such a paradise of happiness Canyon
know the wretchedness you have caused .
Dear Eliza, you are innocent, for who could re
sst such alurements 4
Another hour Of misery passed, and Henr,
came not. A second paroxysm ensued. A
two o'clock the door bell rang, and Henry am
Eliza came in laughing and apparently yer,
happy. ] was not prepared for this. shu
the door of the nursery softly, ami tainted oI
the floor. How long remained | know not
but cold and exhausted aud miserable, | Ia,
down on tie bed by the children, almost with
out sense on memory. Al daylight the doc
opened carefully, and Henry came in. III,
took my cold hand in his. and SAID he came to
take parting kiss OF me and the children.
could hardly reeolect myself lie said that he
had not been in bed that having some uniip'
shed writing to do and being obliged tn havo
as soon rs the sun rose, he had remained in
his study. i was surprised, dear wife, he con
tinued, not to find you in our room when
went to take leave of you | attempted to
speak, but the words died away and my tongue
| absolutely cleayod to my mouth. The room
was dark-he could not see the haggard cx-
preston of my face, and was too miserable to
speak. He kissed me alectonstely, and wen
towards the door, he seemed incsolutc, anc
came and sat by the bed. lie took my hant
again. and said you seem laDguid this morn
ing are you well, are the children y Nj,
tears began TO flow, and should have soon tol'
all my suffering, but the stage horn sounded
and he left me.
| When the maid came in TO dress the chill
dren, she found me so low and languld that sh
alarmed Eliza, and begged her TO send for
physician. Eliza came Immediately into tn
nursery, but was not able to speak. ] cou
only sigh and moan. As soon the physician
saw me, lac perceived at once that my system
was in a high state Of nervous excitement. liz
asked no questions, but ordered an Opiatc, ant
perfect rest and quiet. Eliza continued Il
watch by me through the day. and gradually
became composed and slept. On the SECOND
day | was still unable 20 converse, but my rec
objection returned, and my sense OF misery
twas very much mitgated. began to think
had given TOO much consequence To the CIR
cumstances which had noticed. ! though
of Henry's unvarying kindness and ahechon
and of his indulgeut forbearance towards AL
my faults A thousand instances Of his tender
ness and the sacrifice of his own happiness
rushed to my recollection, and soon began 10
find comfort. On the third day, was able 10
enter into conversation with Eliza She seem
ed unconscious that any part OF my sonohng
had been occasioned by her, and postponeo
entering on the subject until had more ma
turely considered whether il would be exPedi-
ent for me to notice the past, or to leave every
thing TO the rectitude Of her mind and hear';
1t is singular that such revolution should
have taken place in my feelings, without any
change Of circumstances but my nerves we're
again braced, aud reason resumed her empire.
Eliza took her needle work, aud gave oraeis
that 10 company should be adniiteo' suu VIC
sat together coinposedly, but we were both III
a grave bumor. .L
a servant came 10 and brought her book
Il was enyeloped 10 a brown paper covering,
and besides being sealed. was tied with sirins
OF very narrow blue ribbon. She looked c"p-
fused. and said, with an effort TO seem uncop.
eerped, You may lay IT III my dressing-rooin;
All my subdued emotions were again ehe"e''
Il ,.L.taaafhx