Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-01-17

which would call unnvalling rcpcniance.-
And now, Esiclle, | have closed. In these
papers yon wi! learn your mothers history,
and her last counsel; # these will not move
you. no argument, OF mine cam
For once the gay Estelle looked sad, and
sat down with ihrobblng heart to pursue
the manuscript; but she had hardly time to
finish IT, before a servant announced Morris.
Louise coulG have wished hun annllated,
for he seemed To possess n scrpcW's fascina'
tion over Estelle, and to drive from her mind
all sober thought. That evening Morris
urged his suit with SO much apparent car.
ncstness, aud made such oaths Of eternal
constancy. that he won the consent OF iar
Estelle To- become his bride in few weeks.
| Louise and Estelle Lawrence were the
daughters of Mr.. Lawrence,a lawyer OF some
celebrity and great wealth, in beautiful vii
Iage in New England. Mr.. Lawrence had
lost his wife when his daughters were young
Although possessed Of every attraction to
make home paradise, Mrs. l.. failed to Sc
cure the company Other husband. The gam
ing table and wine cup possessed more at
fractions for him than his lovely wife, whose
Iancctionate heart wiihcrcd away with the
consciousness of unrcquitcd love. After her
death, Mr. l.. seemed an altered man; he
Iorsook all his vices, and tried by his aiiec-
ton for his daughtcrS,t to atone for his neglect,
of their mother Those sisters were as op-
posite IN their characters as the antipodes.-
Lonise possessed all those qualities of mind
which are the result Of principles, and that
inluitive die scrinination Of character which
50 few Of our scx have the credit Of possess
ing but which is so requisite to distinguish
the really virluous from those who 'stcal the
livery of the court Of heaven to serve the
devil in, Esielle was a sunny grl-no cloud
dmmed her vision, oil was joy aud gaiety
with her. She was sure to laugh the loud.
est when others looked the saddest; but then
she bad a most affectionatc heart, and man
ners so bland and winning, that she was wei
coined wherever she went. She had spent
some time in New York, and there became
acquainted with Morris, gentleman who
she often said was the beau IDEAL of her fan
cy. lie had by his insinuaiing address and
handsome face, won the confidng heart OF
Este.lc, and he was now on visit to n. 10
obtain her consent for their immediate un-
ion.
Louise had never liked Morris, and had Of
ten tired To reason with her infatuated sister,
but with little success. Mr. L. never hinted
his objections, if he had them and his wife,
for unhoppily, for his second wife he had
chosen young lady who was but little the
senior Of his daughters, and from whose ty
ranny the high minded Estclle longcd to be
free,) favored EStelo's marriage with Morris.
Jealous alike of her beauty and accomplish.
ments, and the place she held in her fathers
heart, she wished her away. But Estelle
could not consent to become the bride Of
Morris without some terrible conflicts with
her heart and conscience: for he to whom
she was already pighted, now Ignorant that
his hearts best treasure was about to be torn
from him) was pursuing his studies in the
State OF Maine. Vacation was at hand; and
Edward Barnes was expected home in short
time. Estelle knew this; she knew all his
worth his undying love for her, and some
times would relent, and wish she had never
seen tho fascinating Morris. Morris was
well aware that his hold upon her affections
was not strong, for he had more than once
found her weeping, with letters in her hand,
which he supposed were from Edward for |
this reason nc hnstcncd the performance of
the ceremony which would make her his for
ever.
'WelI,' sister, said Estelle, on the morning
OF her wedding day, in few hours shall
be welded TO Morris. am going to try the
fearful experiment, as you arc pleased to call
1t. he proves TO be good husband, i shall
have the satisfaction OF lriumphng over you
1t he does not, then my history will serve as
a beacon light TO warn others not to shipwreck
their happiness in the same manner; so you
see shall do my fair friends service in this
way, if no othcr'
Louise sighed as she saw her bright and
happy sister so nnconsciously sacrificing her
self; but she only remarked that few years |
more would decide the question.
In few weeks Morris and his wife were
settled in New York. For two years all was
we'll with Estelle. Morris was apparently /
man, and even Louise began to
think her fears would not be realized. His /
evenings were spent in the society Of his |
wife, and he began to feel a relish for such
pleasures. AT this period one OF his old as
soclatcs, who had just returned from tour of
Europe, called to congratulate him and TO re.
vlve old friendship. 'Well, Frcd,' snil he
iamlliarly, admire your wife and situation,
and even your little babe looks like a cherub;
but faith, friend, you don't intend to bury
yourself here, do you? How fare our old
friends p. and NJ? You meet at our old
hannts, presume "
Indeed | have not been there of late,
neither have seen our old friends but once
or twice these two years
'Well, then, we will go and hunt them up. |
this evening"
That was long evening for Estclc. The
clock told the midnight hour before Morris \
returned ;--and when he saw her anxious
his heart smote him, but with II
slight excuse he quoted the fears of his too
;oufding wife. From that evening must be |
dated the downfall Of Morris -Estele was
conscious Of the change in her husband, but |
she uttered no, word Of rcproach.
81 A cloud slowly and heavily came over her,
cloud
Or ills we mention not enough to say,
Twas cold and dead inpeneirabIc gloom.
She saw its dark approach, and saw her hopes,
Dne after one, put out rs nearer still
Ii drew her soul hut tainted net at first,
tainted not soon.'
One night as her husband returned home |
unusually late, Estellc was struck with his |
haggard look and almost maniac laugh. when |
he roughly said
well Estclle,uow We are Off for the west. |
am hardly worth enough to buy us a log |
hut, and we will 60 and hide ourselves in the |
pralries Of Illinois. That Knowles has done |
the work for me tonight. Oh how wish
| had shot him. and he gnashed his teeth in
rage.