Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-12-03

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hui how could she account ior her mp.
pesvancc, OF for breaking her cwgnge-
men, without botraying Lucy
"Shah l help to dress YOU, Miss"
said the girl
mo, NO, | shalt MI GO; tri' h'm
am ilt--rhst have sevcre hend.nchc. !"
Mary descended, and as Charles
Germaiuc came out into the hall. fiicn
heard him, In tones which thrilled tho
her very heart, asked how long Miss
Varnhsm had been Ill?
"iudeed, sir" said Mary, "she wns
we'll enough at dnnrr u'ne, aud spoke
OF going 10 the ball "
The hall door closed, the slcigh drove
of, and poor Ellen felt as IL the world
WAS nothing W her. In the soiituan md
silence of her chamber, her thonehs
went hack TO the tin,e when she first
saw Charles Gern,aine, when he turned
from tho beautiful heiress, whose FAM
w solicited his alliance, and chose her,
. portioricss orphan. She remembered
the baia,y summer eve when he poured
forth in wurds, his impassioned feelings,
and taking her hand within his own, be-
sought her 10 speak hut one word, and
he would forever bless her and that
wo.d was not withheld and she felt lla,
10 lose his love would indeed be trial
greater Than she could hear.
Sick aud oppressed, and thinking the
mir might relieve her, she prepared for n
wink, and telling Mary TO fill small
ka, IL. l. r..t, ,pV E,ah tn1s
set out TO visit the sick child she had
mentioned to Lucy.
II was a clear, cold evening, the snow
lay deep and white on the earth, and
glttered ia the moon light us if stfewod
with fragments Of precious stones. AL
was s,ilI--the village seemed desened,
and as Ellen walked swiftly forward,
the snow crisped and crackled under
her feet, with II distlnctness which caus
ed her to fancy there were Footsteps be-
hind her, aud almost brealhless, she az
rived ut the cottage.
Alter making some inquiries about the
liule sufferer, and giving directions for
administering The medicines she had
brought, Ellen le, tho house, and was
almost Instantly accosted by a person
whom she recognized us Edward Nor
ris, young lawyer, who had more than
olcs offered her attentions which she
was by no means inclined TO accept. AT
any other tune she would have shrunk
from his society, but it was late, aud she
ieIt almost grateful for his protection.
The first step he took by her side, show
cd her that he was intox cated; and more
'lng htened than ever, che hurried on in
silence, till she reached The gate bef"r.
her vmcle's door. As she put her hand
ON the latch, II was opened from the
other side, and there stood Charles Ger
mnine, whom she supposed had gone To
NJ without her. Rather would El
len have sunk into the earth, thar have
met him at that moment. Casting II
look oi contempt on Norris, aud bowing
cddly TO EIlen, he passed on. She saw
al once that Appearances were against
her, aud with u feeling Of desperation,
she shut Tho door Ia her companions
fhce, hurried to her room, and bury ing
her face in her pillow, gave way to an
Gulsh unlike any other the heart can en-
pcriencc.
He surely will not leave me-" che
thought, "without seeking an exllnnn-
ton. yet how can sxllaio' NJ. Lu-
cy's secret shall be safe with me, even
n, The risk of my dearest hopes" And
hreeIing, she s"ug hi strength to her no
BILE resolution, from source which new
or iailelh the uIr'ght in heart.
A feeling Of cnl,n nnd holy rcsigna-
ton came over her, and taking a book
she resolved to sit up till Lucy's return.
The hours sued slowly ont was on
the stroke Of midnight when n sleigh
dashed up 10 tho door, and in a moment
Lucy, cold and white MS marble, entered
the room, and, dropping into chair,
burst into n fit OF ny sterical sobbing.
"Lucy, dear Lucy, what 10 the mat
teri" exclaimed Ellen, much alarmed.
Al the sound of her voice, Luoy's
sobs redonblcd. In her agitation, her
clonk fell from her shoulders, and had she
been wrapped IN her shroud, Ellen could
scarcely have been more shocked. Ar
in,cd ~ her ball dress of thin white
muslin, her neck was bare, its snowy
wbIisness iearluIly spotted with deep
purple, the effect of tho intense cold
A i,ll of rich blond fell from her should.
ere, which was loopcd up from the cl-
bows, leaving the lower part OF her arms
uncovered even by gloves, while on her
red aud swollen wrists gliliered the fatal
bracelets. AS her eye fell on them, she
became calm. Taking her hand, Ellen
sand kindly
"Tpll mo, dear cousin, what has nap
poncd! Why have you come home IN
,his strange way, and where is Frank
Dorlord!"
"Do not mention himr' exclaimed |
Lucy. Il never wish 10 hear his name
ngsin; but Will tell you all. did
take your money! stole it-and ! Il
bought the bracelets to crafty my vani-
iy and sinful love of fnery. Oh! am
Justly punished. During our ride, !
was perfectly wretched at the thought
Of what | had done, but in the excite
ment Of ihe brilliant scene which aw ait