The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-05-22

plate, and broke the force Of musket ball
but did not, however, prevent him from re-
ceiving a very smart wound. The thing
was much talked Of for day or Two, and
some joking took place on the SUBJECT; bu,
when IT was seen that these railleries gave
him more pain than the wound, the subject
was soon dropped, and soon seemed to have
been forgotten Shortly after the officer
took his leave. The reflections Of Ma,ilda
were bitter. Her miniature had been infa-
mously lost, whilst the mistress of Albert,
of that Albert whom she felt might, but for
family pride, have been her lover, was even
in cfligy, the guardian angel Of life she
loved too well.
Months elapsed, and Horace did not ap-
pear. Sir Oliver wrote to him an indig-
nsnt letter, and bade him consider alI inter
course broken of for the future. He re-
turned a melancholy answer, in which he
pleaded guilty to tho char.e-spoke Of the
madness Of ntoxication, confessed that he
was hopeless, and that he deserved to be
SO; in a werd, his letter Was so humble, SO
desponding, aud so dispirited, that even the
insulted Matilda was sohend, aud shed tears
over his blighted hopes. And hero we
must do Horace the justice to say, that the
miniature was merely left in the hand of,he
winner, he being q stranger, rs = deposlie
until the next mornipg, but which the next
morning did not allow him to redeem, tho
it rcRt from him limb, and left him as one
dead upon the battle field. Had he no.,
gained, his miniature would not have been
los, to sharper, the summons to march
would have found him at his quarters, his
harsssed steed would not have failed him
in the charge, and in all probability, his
limb would have been saved, aud his love
been preserved. A year had now elapsed,
and at length Albert was announced. lie
had heard thn, all intimacy had been bro
ken off between Horace and Matilda, but
nothing more. The story of the lost min
isture was confined TO the few whom il con-
cerncd, and those few wished sll memory
Of il to be buried in oblivion. Something
like hope had returned to Albert's bosom.
He was graciously received by the futher,
and dlffiden,ly by Matilda.
She remembered I, the broken minia,ure,
and supposed him TO have been long ant
summers evening, there was no other com
pany, the sun was setting in glorious splen
dor. After dinner, Matilda retired on
ly TO the window TO enjoy, she said, tn,
prospect that the drawing room could no
afford. She spoke truly, for Albert wa,
not there. Her eyes were upon the drcli-
ming sun, but her soul was in The dining
room.
At length, Sir Oliver and Albert arose
from the table, and came and seated them
selves nenr Matilda. Come, Albert, the
story of the miniature said Sir Oliver.
What 7 fully, truly nnd unreservedly,
said Albert, looking snxiously at Matilda.
'Of course 'Ofence, or no offence
said Albert, with look Of arch meaning,
WHOM could the tale possibly offend Z
said Sir Oliver. That ] nm yet to learn.
Listen As far as regarded Matilda, the
last word was superfluous. She seemed to
have lost every faculty hut hearing. Albert
in low, yet hurried tone, commenced thus:
Il loved, but was not loved. ] had q
rival that was seductive. l saw that he
was preferred by the father, and not indif-
fercpt to the daughter. My love ] could
mott would not attempt to conquer; but
my actions, honor bnde me control aud |
obeyed. The friend was admitted where
the lover would have been banished. My
successful rival obtained the miniature Of
his mistress. ., then, then ] envied, and
impelled by unconquerable passion, l OBJ
tanned clnndestinely from the artist a fac
sinlIc of that which so much envied him.
1t was my hearts silent companion, and
when at last, duty called me away from the
original, not often did venture to gaze
upon the resemblance. To prevent my
secret being discovered by accident, ! had
the precious token enclosed in double
Iockci, Of gold, which opened by secret
spring, known only tc myself aud the ma
kcr. gazed on the lovely features on the
dawn Of the battle DAY. returned il to
its resting place, and my heart tbrebbed
proudly under its pressure. ] was coli
scious that there I had a talismsu, and If
ever fell as heroes felt, il was then-tbcre
On, on dashed through the roaring stream
Of slaughter. Sabrcs flashed over and n
round me--wlrat cared /? ] had this on
my heart, and a brave mans sword IN my
come to the worst, better could
not have died than on that noble field.
The showers Of fs,ed balls hissed around
me. What cared II looked around---te
my fellow soldiers trusted for victory, and
nv soul entrus,ed 10 God, and--shsll own
il for few tears to my memory to the
original Of this my bosom companion
9 She must have had "A heart Of ice, Ind she |
refused them" said Matilda, in a voice in
audible from emotion.
Albert bowed low aud gratefully, and
thus continued-' Whilst was thus borne
forward in the very centre Of the struggle,
O ball struck at my henr--but The guardian
angel was there, and it was protected the
the double case, even my flesh
was penetrated, and my blood soiled the
image Of iha, beauty for whose protection