The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-04-01
SELECTED TALES.
BL NCH T.:
TIE SEQ TTIsH ORPHAN.

; " Pile the faggois. Felix. and let us have a
D blaze this darksome night" said mother Pau
: line, as she drew her crimson cloak tighter
round her throat and gazed auxiously from the
broken window Of her desolate hamlet. sitlated
: on the confines of Seiingen. THE storm still
raves furiously without. We shall be safe from
intruders At least tonight. dear Blanche
Spread the cloth for our evening meal, for thy
step is lighter than mine-haste thee. dear la
! dy. for my lips are dry. and my old limbs are
chilled with this autumnal blast that shreks like
Apsr's ghos, through the cracks Of our wretch
ed dwelling" Blanche was n lovely. blue-ryed
fairy Of sixteen, with long light hair in suld-n
curls streaming over her bosom. =" hear thee.
dear nurse let me first mend this broken string
TO my harp. and will haste 10 cheer our rude.
dark home" Here y sigh escaped the gentle
girl as she bent over the small Gglic instru-
nent she held in her hand. The severed string
was soon replaced by another, and Blanche fli,-
ted from the room.
Folding her arms across her breast. the aged
mother still continued her reveric at the window
unless his curiosity outweigh his snpersiitiods
awe ofihesc haunted regions upon such nigh,
rs this. The storm must drift past before mid
night. and the moon will direct his course to
our buried cabin among the overshadowing
cliffs. The Holy Virgin renouuce me. il his
coming hither defeat my project. and poison the
happiness Of my charge" Al this moment
Blanche entered, followed by the aged servant
man. with whose assistance the frugal repasl
was soon prepared. and both nurse aud maiden
were seated in melancholy silence to enjoy it
as they bes, might. The storm roared in dis
NAL cadence without. and the ancient dwell
ling shook fearfulIy. The cheek Of the latter
grew pale, and her cup fell uniasied from her
lips. as she placed her hand in mother p Paulne' .
with look OF undisguised alarm.
1--WE shall perish alone dear nurse. in this
haunted spot. Let us star, with Felix for the
old ruin, and remain al least ill the, gale be
past
Fear not, simple child wilder nights have
! known than this sweep down from the stormy
summit of the Rheingau, when the old shelter
has rocked like life boat in the midst Of boil.
ing breakers Here. with the blessing Of Hea
ven. hope TO wear ont the shorr remainder OF
my pilgrimage. where the leas, Of all evils thar
apprehend for either thee. dear Blanche. or
myself is the fury Of the whirlwind. My last
hour will bring with it no gloom. il lighted by
one glimering hope Of a more cheering home
for thee, my precious charge, away from the
IL
Nay. dear nurse. talk not OF this. May
that dark hour which robs me Of thee, my on
ly earthly protector, find me cold in my shroud.
| could no, bide the sorrows Of which thou hast
told me life abounds. deserted and alone" Her
voice WAS choked. and tears like diamonds
weighed down the dark fringe, of her large vi.
olet eyes.
God will raise up another protector for thee,
innocent and dearly beloved child, II thou keep
est in the path Of maidenly honor. never forget
ting -" here the sound Of approaching foot
steps was heard, and loud rap Instantly sue
ceeding on the outer door Of The hamlet, sent
Blanche headIong with fright into the Zap OF
the old nurse.
Shame. child Of my love. shame for thy
terror stricken nature. sucked from the breast
Of thy Saxon mother. Rise up Instantly. and
le, me see who it ia that requires shelter or
counsel At this rude hour" SEEKING the lamp
in her trembling grasp from the affrghisd Fe
lix. she unboltsd the door. and after momsnt's
examination. admitted a traveller muffled to the
throat in long military coat, richly trimmed
with sable.
Pardon my bold Intrusion. good Pauline,
At this late hour; but my path has been beset
with danger, and but for the faint light Of thy
cabin window, Which has kept me in dubious
perplexity for the last half hour, ! should ere
This have exchanged my sympathies with the
Gods. And then, too" lowering his voice. f" ]
forgot my promise, though truly scarce dared
to hope the huctus'iog beacon came from thy
desoIate dwelling"
Thou art welcome. Lord Leven," as she
Ushered him into the apartment, ITO my home
ly, but trust. not inhospitsble shelter. Thro~
of thy drsnched cloak, and warm thysslf st my
old hearth stone. Blsnehe---' but here oh
serving her guest gazing with fixed surprise.
not unmngled With admiration, at the fair eres-
ture who stood With her hands clasped. her
melancholy eyes rigsued upon him. MY
d.ushrer." she quickly said. 81 the lone sapling
my blessed lady has lei, to my witbersd years.
Give seat. child, to his lordsbip. II thy senses
ara not clean gone with the sound of his riding
whip. against the door" A blush like suo.et
ov.npresd her cheek rs BIsnehe sprans to Of
fer the courtesy. which vas grseefulIy declined
! by the commanding youth, who still continued
to fx bis embarrassing gaze upon hers, lph-lIks
beauty. ..... .....
"By 81. MARX" he exclaimed. turning 10
p,Yitn. ri. =. tudssd ss rrsYps,fsd noysity.