Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-03-04
THE FALSE STEP.
and died
by CAROLINE LEICESTER.


Emily was the only daughter of Mr.. ODon-
nell, gentleman of considerable wealth au,eg'
influence. Her mother had died while she
was yet an infant, IN consequence of which
she became the sole idol of her father, who
INDUCED her in every wish Were to at
tempt TO describe this lovely girl, fear |
should do her injustice. Her features were
beautiful but there was an understandable
charm in her countenanCc, which 40 features,
however fine can of themselves produce. In
her dark beamng eye you night read the ev-
cr VARYING emotion of her mind and, rs her
fairy form hiltcd through the may dance you
would have thought her Just
"Wha, youthful poets fancy when thcy love"
So much for her person. In her mind she was
pure and innocent as a child; vet wthal, she
was not faultlcss. She was too apt TO be IN
huenced by externa! appearances she under
valued every one who was not handsome -
beauty alone found favor in her eyes. As may
be readily conceived, Emily had many admir-
ers but the general impression was, that she
had bestowed her youthful affections upon her
cousin Richard Stanley, who had resided un.
der the same roof with her from childhood, and
who regarded her with the most ardent uilec-
ton. lie was young man OF superior mental
cndowmenis; his disposition and temper mild
but, unfortunately for his chance Of winning
his lovely cousins good graccs, his person was
plain He hoped, however by perseverance
and assiduty, to succeed in making an inn
preston, and left no means untrlcd 10 render
himself agreeable 10 her. In this, however,
he was destined to suffer disappointment. En-
lily happened, accidentally, TO meet, al ball
in the neghborhood, gentleman named
DashwoOd lie was quite the reverse of Rich
ard Stanley; he possessed a fine face and still
inner person, finished address, and fascinating
manners; gay ana lively, was the life and
soul OF whatever party he was invited to, and
his company was, of course, sought after IN
proportion. Mr.. Dashwood was, however,
vain ana frivolous and only happy when in so
ciety, where he delighted to show himself off
10 the best advantage. III, principles were
depravcd, and his haiti dissipatcd yet, with
infinite art, he conlryed to conceal all his bad
qualities AT least from persons Of ordinary dis
elimination He was at first sight, coptiyatcd
with the beauty of Emily md resolved IN his
own mind, to carry her oil triumphant from all
her sultors. She was, on her part, dazzlcd
with his appearance, liked his manners was
hattcred by his attentions; but blinded by her
wonted falling, looked no liHt.er.
Mr. DashwopI now became constant Wis.
itor at her fathers, and "a many bitter
pang was the heart Of = lard torn. 60 find
that character 50 worth, had made such
deep impression upon hls cousin; while ho
conscious Of upughlness and integrity, was
wholly dlsrcgardcd. Her father would have
preferred her making choice Of Richard but
so lrful was he Of making has darling unhap-
py that he could not prevail on himself 20 OPP
pose her incnatiohs Ncl had il been for
Emily had she been blessed with mother TO
advise and warn her Alas she had none /:
/ and 50 il was, that within three months from
her first meeting with Mr.. Du,hwood, be had
proposed for her, aud was accepted Emily
now thought herself the happic.l creature in
creation; she was going 10 be married 10 the
h1ndsomcst man shc had ever seen
The nUptials were cclcbIalcd with great
, pomp and splcndor, and Immediately after
wards tic happy bridegroom and his lovely
bride departed TO spend the honeymoon IN tho
county Of Wicklow; after which they repair
ed 10 the new house which had been prepared
I for their reception IN Merton Square.
Repentance IS almost sure 10 follow n fllsc
step-though, alas II usually arrives too late
Such was the case Of Emily, and, before she
had been many months a wife, shG began, with
. a heavy heart, 10 perceive marked aad daily
1 diminuton Of that aiiccuonale attention which
=. had AT first been 50 laylshl, bestowed upon her
q by her gag and handsome husband and which
, she had iondly aud foolishly Aluored herself
would endure for life.
IL nov began constantly 70 absent himself