The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-09-17

his present relation to the one inmate of the
Hall, who had long been all in all TO his
secret heart, Edward remained behind;
though the proud ambition which was the
second-perhaps the frst-passion in his
nature, made him hard student at home,
with the benefit of the library of the Hail,
in all the intervals of time be could COM
mand, from the constant round of the sports
which were there tke chief employment of
life.
Ii was, perhaps, singular infatuation,
but such was the fact, that no thought of
alarm for the possible consequences of 30
close and constant an intercourse between
SO handsome and gallant youth and
maiden so lovely in herself, and so ardent
and generous in her own affections, even
for moment seemed 30 cross the mind of
either Sir Wilmot or his sister, the pres-
ding parsonage of the Hall, so far as re-
garded the department Of female concern
and control. They would as readily have
imagined similar danger between Alice
and The "Man in the Moon," as conceived
the idea that the young yeoman who was
made quasi gentleman only by the kind
patronage OF B Hail. and who was no
where else Known or recognised as any
thing more than his father and grand faith
er had been before him, would ever think
OF raising so bold an eye as TO aspire TO
such star ;-slil less that the star could
ever cast down on such an aspiration any
other look than twinkle of infinite con.
tempt. However, they did not think of
either boldness or contempt in the matter
they did not think about it at all. any more
than they would concern themselves with
specula'ions on The possibility of that long
prophesed falling Of the skies, at which,
as is we'll known, so many arks are 10 be
caught. What would have been the rage
oil the old Baronet what the dlsmay of
prim and stately Aunt Edith had they
known that their Alice loved the presump.
luous peasant with all she fervor of her
10 him ihe object Of passion III ii which was
concentrated all the fiery force of his high
toned and energetic character-nay more,
that for nearly year from the time TO
which this narrative refers, they had been
self.beirothed to each other, with all the
solemnity that vows can add to the sacred
meeting and mingle of hearts. But so ii
was. How it had come TO pass, | cannot
afford the time to lell-nor would 1t much
matter if could.
One evening, after a morning of most
glorious run.in which Edward Fletcher had
met with his frequen, fortune of carrying off
the brush, while Sir Wilmot had returned
home with one of the foX's paws in his cap
as a trophy ard proof that lie had got in at
the death, the former made his escape, al
an earlier hour than was often permitted,
from the table at which the Baronet dis
pensed flowing and rather uproalious hos
pilalily to the hunt Of the day. The COM
pany breaking up and dispensing about a
couple of hours afterward, Sir Wilmot him
self followed him to Alice's parlor with a
step steady enough, it is true, for all prac.
tical purposes, but with the hab'lual hale
and hearty ruddiness of his complexion
flushed TO a more than ordinary hue, and
his faculties not quite so clear and distinct
in their intelligence as they had been before
breakfast, and as they probably would be
again omorrow morning. AS he approach
ed the door he paused a moment 10 listen to
the beautiful effect of the mingling of the
two voices Of Alice and young Fletcher, in
one of the fine old English duets which they
often sang together.
Bravo, Ned-bravo, my boy! was the
exclamation with which he interrupted
them-wllh slap on the shoulder OF the
+ young man which was much more en-
ergetic demonstration of affections thar
would have been at all agreeable 10 less
f stout and s,alworth frame. 'And as for
you, you dear little bird, your voice is al
most as sweet as your kiss TO your roolisl
, old father. Your humble servant, Madam
! he then added, turning round TO MADAM
t Edith, with bow and flourish of mingled
+, gallantry &gravity which were highly com
, icai. But Ned, you ought to have been dow'
| there why they unkenneled you after yo'
, had gone, and were off in full cry on th
g scent, with regular tally no! You ough
4 10 have been there TO see how l stood VI
Tor YOU. They talked of your station il
r life, and all that sort of thing. Blu, stoo
+ up for you, that did-and swore it wa
If all envy, because you got the brush whic
a Sir Harry Horn had vowed should be his
d with that new hunter he sported this morn
If ing.-and because you cleared SO hand
d somely those five bars which young Lor
Of Maurice Page. was compelled after all
re get down and open on their hinges, An
| n hot nT