The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-07-02

preludlces were enlisted on the British
side. 1t might be that Lewis directed
her sentiments, even more than Emma
Courtney swayed her brothers, but this
the young lady was much too indcpend-
ent TO admit. Mr.. Courtney's opinions
were not of very definite character.
With son in each army, each equally
dear to him, and health too delicate to al
low of any personal aid from him to Ell
,her, he appeared neutral, defending
whichever party was condemned in his
presence.
Two days had el.psed since the deser-
ton of Fitz-Roy, when Aubrey Beauclerk
entered the little parlor of Mr.. Courtney.
The earnest manner in which he inquired
after Emma's health, as he drew chair
beside her, induced his sister to remark,
"did you think that her sympathy for Ed
ward would make her i'll -
II thought her sympathy for the unior-
tunate might" he replied with cmpha-
sis.
SIS not the deserted friend more nfor-
tunatc than the descrter :" again asked
adelaide.
81 am sure Miss Courtney will support
the contrary opinion said Bcauclcrk,
''she will deem the guilty the most unfor-
tunate."
"Iou ought not 10 attach the idea of
guilt 10 the desertion of your sergeant,
Aubrey" said Col. Courtney, whom a
slight fever had confined to the house OF
his father for a few days, "desertion is
not in itself a crime"
"Perhaps not in every case so if you
feel inclined to desert we will give you
absolution," Beauclerk archly replied.
"No doubt" he coolIy returned, '.prin-
ciples change their character when they
happen to harmonize with our own inte-
rests or conflict with them
If Beauclcrk felt the remark personally
his countenance did not betray his con-
sciousness--Edward entered at the mo-
ment He looked grave and unhappy.
"Any news of Frz-Roy, Edward y
inquired his father, as the young man
hastily answered in the negative. Lewis
remarked that he should certainly seek
the young deserters acquaintance on his
return to the army, as he had created such
an interest at his fathers.
Except me, if you please said AIDE
| Ion al
him quite an ordinary person-always
maintained that he was no gentleman"
"lour views of a gentleman differ SO
much from ours, Adelaide said Edward
with more truth than galantry.
"Mine in this instance have proved the
most just" she returned, 81 told Emma
from the first, you ought to know some
thing about his family before you were SC
intimate with him. He only held ser.
geant's rank even in your republican ar
my, and you knew nothing of his parent
age"
81 knew that he once saved me from
drowning, that his kindred were all dead
that he possessed talent and virtue, the
true ensign of nobility, but something has
tempted him, and he is changed"
"The temptation never was presented
before, perhaps" she returned, edo moi
be so obstinate, Edward. Every thing
shows he was low born. His actions
prove it,
Il must contradict you, Adelaide. Hi:
actions prove nothing relative TO his birth
A man may be of noble parentage, accor
ding to your definition of noble, and We
a base, low-mindcd villain. Another may
be the child of peasants, yet worthy OF {
crown-one whom Office could not emo
bic, but for whom any post might stanC
candidate ! TIE distinction is in h'
MINT; that makes the gentleman or thu
scoundrcl."
As Edward thus spoke, the whole
countenancc of his sister was illumlnGC
with the enthusiasm of the feelings whIcl
|, responded to his, and the bcaming smil
which communicated TO him her sympa
wy WIN MS SCllllIhcHls, lClI lhC SuuSihi
, on his chilled and crushed heart. Mucl
. as Edwards friendship had been wound
, ed by the strange detection of Fi,z-Roy
deeply as he had been hurt by his peril
t dy, the idea of Emma's suffering ha
: most effected him. He believed that tn
: young sergeant had won, it might be a
: unconsciously to herself, that place in he
r affections which true woman can ylcl
D but to one occupant, had awakened thos
5 feelings which, thrown back upon he
| sensitive heart, might corrode her pcac
] forever, even in the spring time of he
] grlsh years. And the man whose silCi
$ but eloquent devotion, insinuated love
: and attractive qualities had done this. ha
. been introduced TO her by himself, and +,
: commended to her notice as his friend
e The circumstances under which they me
r the poverty Of Fitz-Roy, the dlsseniiol
l. which agitaled the colonies, the uncertain
d ty which his military avoca,lon tire
II around the future Of the young scrgoar