Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-10-14
From the Philadepha saturday Courier
TIL L Bird E s NJ AID.

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tage, ia the beautiful village of Ashton,
were seated an elderly lady and young
girl. The furmer was engaged 10 nee
dIework, and the latter was listlessIy
turning over the leaves OF book.
"Why have you not taken your usual
walk this morning, Alice" said the old
lady.
"Because," answered her companion.
81 am weary of walking where there is
nothing to be seen. am tired of living
in this dull place, and of associaiing
with the vulgar people who inhabit il. 1"
The complaints Of The young lady
were interrupted by the entrance Of q
servant who presented letter.
"Who brought III" said Miss Lee.
cit was brought by gentleman,
ma'am, who refused TO come IN, but said
he would call in the evening""
Alice examine the direction of the let
Ter, aud exclaimed joylully, "it is from
Isabel" che opened 1t and read as fol-
lows:
! "Dcarcst Alicc,--Do you remember
that when at school together, VIC made n
promise to act as bridesmaid 10 each
other, should either OF us ever require
such a service. | now claim tho full
filment ofyour promise. This letter will
be delivered by him who is the betrothed
of your friend. lie has some business
in your ncighborhood, and have GLADLY
avalled myself Of The opportunity OF wri-
ting 10 Won, and Of introducing him TO
your friendship. had almost iorg often
to tell you his name; it is Edward Her
bert, md his home is in New Orleans;
of course it will in future be mine. Her
bert thinks his business IN Ashton will be
concluded in "A week. lie will then TO-
turn to Franklin, and | hope you will ac-
company him. Ionr society, my belov-
ed friend, is all that is wanting to com
pletc the happiness of your atlectionate
ISABEL GRAY.
The pleasure with which Alice peruscG
this letter,wa not unmixed with other SEN
sations. "And so Isabel is to be mar
red so soon ! II is scarcely year
since she left school, and she is not at all
pretty, (casting as she spoke, n glance
at the mirror, which reflected her own
pl city face but she is rich, and she has
an opportunity of mingling in ia shiona-
bic society !" And Alice retired to her
chamber, TO muse over the happy pros
poets Of her fend, and to lament the
poverty which com mpelled her TO "waste
her sweetness on the desert air"
Alice Lee had been deprived by death
Of both her parents, while she was still
a child. Since that time she had been
under the protection Of maiden sister
OF her father, whose narrow circums,an-
ces compelled her to reside in the obscure
village OF Ashton. The old lady was
exceedingly ly proud of her beautiful niece,
and by her injudcious indulgence and
undsg guised admiration, she increased
that vanity which was the predominant
feature in the character OF the latter.
Herbert came in the evening, and
with an almost unc consc ious coquetry,
Alice arrayed herself most tastelully, Ia
receive the lover Of her friend, and she
was graiified 10 perceive that Herbert
was struck with admiration at her really
beautiful person. lie was fine looking
young man, and his mannc - and conver-
sniion were so superior To those Of the
rustic swans with whom she had been
accustomed TO associate, that Alice was
completely fascinated.
The ensuing morning brought Herbert
again to the cottage, and after day
passed in his society, Alice sighed MS she
remembered her engagements with her
friend; and she could not help thinking,
that had she met him while he was yet
free, sho might herself have been the
object of his affection. His admiration
OF her evidently increased with every in
tcrvew, and the week appointed for his
stay in The neighborhood had passed n
way, and yet no mention had been made
o. his intention 10 return to Franklin.
Meantime the nflianced bride of Her
bert passed The time OF his absence IN
visions of future happiness, somewhat
chastened by regrets at her approaching
separation from the friends of her youth,
and the scenes in which her happy child
hood had passed.
Isabel Grey was not beautiful, but
she had an open, intclligen, counlenancc,
cheerful disposition, most nlle ctlonate
heart, and large fund OF good sense
bnd correct prlnci pies. She was only
seventeen, and Herbert had been her
first lover. She loved with all the
warmth Of young, unprac,ised heart,
nor did her inexperienced eye, detect
in her lovers character the absence Of
those strict principles by which her own
conduct was governed. Nor did II ever
occur TO her that her wealth had any in
fluence in attracting his regard. She
wns lmpatlcntly waiting his return on the
appointed day, and was much Jisapponl-
ed when she received letter from him,
which informed her that circumst nnces
had occurred which would detain him IN
Ashton, TILL the very day appointed for
their marriage.
The approach Of that day caused the
most cruel conflicts in the breast Of Her
bct lie had never really loved Isabel,
but he admired her character, aud felt
that he could rely implicitly upon her
principles, her cheerful good sense rem
dcrcd her an agreeable companion, and
her fortune was n circumstance Ivy no
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