The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-05-27
SELECTED TALES.
THE TWO SISTERS:
OR. .ufHRIEB IND SINGLE.
n De,nyy Infsr,.ffufr ylop,<.,f,. Tai,

II stood in the tabled palace Of Truth and
: were there asked the name ofthe most beautiful
woman ! ever looked upon. am sure my reply
. would be, Margaret Vernon Ii is not that
; she is associated in my mind with any pleasing
incident. or that she ever stood very high in my
favor; knew her but slightly. and all saw and
heard of her tended to produce any thing rather
than an agreeable impression respecting hsr-
Bur for mere personal beauty, the beauty OF
perfect symmetry with which 40 single fault
could be found, certainly never saw any one
who eqsalled her. Shall Try to sketch her
portrait in words | never did SO on canvass
for she is not my heroine, though deeply IN.
volyod IN The incidents of my story. Let me
attempt to portray the beautiful Margaret Yer
non, AT the age of twenty three. She WAS the
eldest daughter of Sir Gilbert Vernon. = man OF
immense wealth. of which he was Ear less proud
thSn Of his ancient title and unblenishrd des-
cent. Her mother died when she was seven
years of age, leaving Miss Vernon and sister
five years younger TO the care Of their father.
who died just Margaret attained her nine
teenth year Certain traits in her character.
early manifested and carefully cherished, in.
duced Sir Gilbert, on finding himself attacked
by an incurable disease, 10 execute a will. By
which he emancipated his elder daughl from
all control on her twenty first birthday, and
gave her the sole guardianship Of the young
Agnes during the remaining five years Of her
minority.
In person, Miss Vernon was SO paewhat taller
Than the ordinary run Of women. though not
remarkably so, aud the dignity OF her carriage
would scarcely have become a figure less per
feet and graceful than hers. Her head was
beautifully placed on a neck and shoulders. so
fair aud spolless, that no ivory could have sur.
passed them in polish and purity. Her rich
daIk hair was simply braided from her mag III
hcent forehead, and twisted up behind, one
massive tress being permitted TO rest on her
neck. Her eyes were of the deepest, richest
hazel than can be imagined, set off by long
lashes OF intense blsckness. So beautiful a
temple should have bad correspondent spiri,
TO inhabit it, and in some points Margaret Yer
mons mind not untitled 10 dwell there
She was warm IN her affections, liberal ia her
charities, honorable in her worldly dealings
but then sh. was b1nch'y and unloading
. proud 10 an extreme, aud svines nat inclined TO
! iyrannizs where she had the power TO do So
She loved her sister Agnes, but she loved ~
her own way, and did not always raNe Ihs most
/ pleasing methods Of proving her attachment.
/ Her excessive care and waIchfuIHess placed
restraint on Agnes's every action, that amount
ed to positive thraldorn. Much as Agnes
loved Margaret, she could not but feel that her
elder sisters absence was ike peep at freedom.
She lelt continually IimId aud embarrassed IN
Margsrets presence, yet she never attempted
TO break through the invisible bonds that were
around her. She felt she was not free agent,
yet II was painful TO think that her sister was,
10 fact, her mistress. What Margaret would
think, what Margaret would say, what Margaret
would have her 10 do; these were tue quss-
iions that arose in her mind whenever she was
lett to act for herself, IN any Instance. no matter
bow trIllng 1t might be.-She had no standard,
no will, no principles Of her own. Margaret
was all these 10 her, and who may estimate the
amount Of injury done to a young, sensitive,
and arectuudie spirit, by training such as this
The influence Of this quiet inackno~leJged
tyranny brought 10 something OF that lea' which
should be cast out by perfect love. aud al tue
same Time, nuuured heiplrssness and depen-
deuce Of mind, winch caused Ague. 10 clasp her
cham. aud refer every cncumstanoe. however
uuimportaut tu the decision Oi her elder sister
Agues Vernon was very lovely, but her beauty
might oul, b. compared to MaIgarets as that
Of violet 10 the stately lily. Some family
lIkeness existed between them but Agues had
a less brilliant complexion, aud far less sink
'IDg expression oil eUuntruance. There was
gentle sUbJued look about her, that might have
been mIstaken tor the effect Of secret sOno",
even before her young heart had known It's BIT
ter ,isrlngs. Wa. it the lorsshsJowiDg Of her
future destiny that was already casting ITS dSrk-
ssss on her brow
The was one Circumstance, however, on
which Agnes Vernon did DOT consult her SIS
ter. IL was matter vitality connected with
ber hsppioess, yet she durst not have spoken Of
It tor the world. She had already gwen her
heart freely, fully, aud alas. uusolicItd, to
Charles WIIlersIey, the eldest son Of nei .h-
borIug clergyman.
! 10 ordinary cases, such family as the Yer
mons would have had lttle intercourse with
that Of a country pastor. poor and undisin-
.uished wnhsl as the Reveread George WI
lsrsley.-Their acquaintance would have been
rsu6Ued, 10 " The parsons" being formally ssk
ed 10 dinner three or ioDT time. yesr aud Tie
parsons vie exchanging stG morning vIsiis
with the ladies' u the family. But Mrs. WI
ler.ley wac a Vsruoo, distinct relative Of the
Baroner's and the very pr,d, 'bs, would h'e