Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-10-14

well as she was capable al loving any
one, and her regard for her friend OPP
posed but feeble barrier 10 the graiifi-
cation of her wishes. She was incapable
of deep feeling, but her vanity was graf-
ised by the evident devotion Of Herbert,
md her weak mind was dazzlcd by tho
prospect Of emerging from the obscuriiy
in which her charms had hi,hono been
buried.
The morning appointed for the mar
riagc of Isabel Grey had arrived, and
she sat alone in her apartment, in moIoen-
tary expectation Of the arrival Of her lover
and friend. They came not, however,
and Isabel was beginning 10 apprehend
the occurrence of some accident, when
her mother entered the room. She held
a letter in her hand, and was evidently
in state OF excitement, unusual tc her
general character.
"lsabel," said she, "this letter is from
Miss Lee"
els Alice ill.," inquired Isabel ansious-
ly.
"No, she is not i'll, but she is unworthy
of your friendship She hns cloped with
Hcrbcnm
Isabel heard no more, and with an es-
clanatlon OF horror and surprise, she fell
scnselcss at the feet of her mother. -
When animation returned, she ws,sied
on seeing Miss Lees letter, and her
mother, knowing the strength Of her
character, thought il best to indulge her
The letter contained only brief account
Of the elopemept, with disclaimer on
the part Of the writer Of any knowledge
Of or participation in the affair.
Isabel Grey did not sink under this
severe stroke. She felt all the anguish,
all the desolation of spirit, natural To ono
whose dearest hopes had bacn prostrated
by ,reacbery and ingratltude on the part
of him To whom she had given her young
heart with all its glowing feelings, and
Of him ho had been the dear companion
of her childhood. But in her own he
reavement, Isabel did moi forget that
she was The sole stay and comfort Of
widowed mother, and that her energies
Of heart and mind were gwen for nohlrr
purposes than to be wasted in iruitlcss
repinings for one who had proved himself
all unworthy Of hor pure and devoted love.
She felt too, when the first shock was
over, that she had reason TO be thankful
that any circumstance, no matter how
painful, had unveiled the real character
Of her lover, before it became her duty
to close her eyes to his faults, to conceal
even from herself, il possible, his wan!
OF honorable principle.
Years rolled Ivy. Isabel Grey had
become the wife of one who had loved
her from childhood, aud who, If inferior
to the one of her early choice in exterior
graces, was infinitely superior in all those
mental and moral qualities which give
dignity TO man, and which render wo.
man's married life happy. Aud Isabel
loved him, il no, with The impassionaIe
fervor OF other days, at least with deep
and sincere affection, and with that re-
lance on his iaithiulncss and truth which
grew out Of her perfect conviction OF the
integrity of his character. She coniin-
ued TO reside with her mother, whose IN
creasing age rendered her more than
ever dependent upon the aflectionate
attentions of her daughter.
One very stormy evening, the whole
family were collected round her cheer
FIJI fresde. DR. Dillingham;, the hus-
band of Isabel, had just returned lrnm
long and faiguing ride, and was sented
in large armchair, holding on his knee
a beautiful infant ofa year old. isabel
was seated near him, also oaressing Tho
child, and Miss Grey reclipcd on a sofa,
and surveyed the happy group with looks
OF aifcctionate delight.
Suddenly knocking was heard AT tho
hall door, which was Immediately fol-
lowed by The entrance OF female, com
plelely envelopcd in n cloak, the hood
of which concealed her lnce entirely .---
She carried child in her arms, aud,
pushing aside the chair which the doctor
offered her, she sunk al The feet Of Isabel,
and throwing OF her cloak, revealed the
features of Alice Herbert!
In utter amazrment Isabel stopped 10
raise the PROSTATE form Of her former
frrnd. She took the child from her
arms, and with her husbands assistance,
she laid her on n sofa, and waited with
brcothcss anxiety Nh explanation Of her
sad appearance. In u few minutes Alice
raised her head.
"Do you nd wonder at me Isabel,
lha, | have dared To approach you-thai
| presume to raise my eyes To the face
of her whom ! have 80 basely inluredm
"You have not injured me, Alice
All that has passed is long since forgiven,
for j, is to you that owe my prrs'm
happiness. Aud Isabel smiled through
The tears which hnd gathered in her eyes,
MS she looked nj her husband mud her
lovely ch!ld. "But where, Alice, ~
your husband, and why are you here u
lone nj this hourW
ale il gone" said Alice, .olomoly,
'io render bis account al the bar oi
Eternal Justice, and ! have begged my
way hnhcr TO claim your protection for
nv innocent babe, aud then 10 close my
weary eyes in peace"
Convulsivc ihrobs here choakcd tho
uiierapce OF the wrcichcd woman. aud
she wns conveyed in slate 81 nrrnsi-
bility ia the he'd from wbich sho never