The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-04-23
The Premise.
AN IMPRESSIVE TALE.
How often didst thou pledge ard vow,
Thou wouldst for aye be mine;
And my FOND heart SO true,

And my fonG heart so true,
1t ncer mstruslcd thne-B,rns.
Just seventeen years ago, Eliza hurry
was in the prime of young and maidenly
beauty, as fair as the rose that blossoms
in the cultivated garden of art. as gentle
as the lily of the meadow that bends It's
head to the summer zephyr, and yet at
tines as wild and reckless as the playful
schooIboy that sports and plays on the
edge of the rocky precipice. She was
just such thing as youth would love-
! havessseen her in the midst of gaiety
with dmple OH her cheek, and play
iulness i'll her manner which infused its
influence on those around her Many an
eye at such times was turned upon her
with delight, and many memory fire.
quenlly called up to mind the smile that
played upon her countenance when direc-
ted towards her. She was at such times in
her proper sphere, for the whole cast of
her character beamed forth; it ST oke in
the playful throw OF a well turned arm;
IN the graceful movement Of a sylph.lke
form; and in the merry step of pretty
foo:. Yet, with natural volatility, she
possessed noble and generous heart. In
her intercourse with society; il was her
intention to pursue a correct and hon
durable course-but she knew not her.
self
The winning grace Of beauty. the smile
OF galety. and thc power OF fashion. never
failed to draw admirers around the form ol
a woman.-EliZa Murray knew the lruth
of this; she felt he full force Of her at
fractions; she could read them in the
pleasure which her smile gave in many
eyes which rested with ight upon her;
aud in the web of conquest which she
wove by the flashing oul of tina, Joy and
merrimenl Sc blended with early youth.
Dancing along then, in The hev-day Of
her conquest, she had still felt at times
The influence which passion is ever cAer-
ting over us.
Among the many sni'ors which appear
ed before her. Henry English was all tina,
the maiden could desire. He saw Eliza
Murray. gay, beautiful, and attractive, pos
sessing with all her volatility. genlIeness
III her manner, sw eetness of temper.
buoyancy of fancy; and ease in CONVEX.
saiion which he admied. lie oncrcd
himself among the list of sliors for he,
hand With the true spirit Of an honora.
bic courtship, he unIoldcd TO her his cir
cums'ances, his prospects, and his future
hopes; desired an intimate knowledge.
willing that acquaintance should blossom
to friendship, and ri pen into love. She,
with the ardent color Whjch female fancy
ever gives to man, when he stands before
her in the beauty of lover, skeched To
herself the character of sui;0r-dwelr
upon the candid manner in which he had
unfolded his purposes. threw her rainbow
over ,he future, pleaded herself his, and
his alone; and promised him a separation
from all society but his own.
Thus far all was right. Eut in youth
we are The beings of fancy; and more es-
pecially. the children of volatility live in
the delight of lhr momenl-the gay, giddy
scene in the theatre on which they move.
This was too much the character Of Eliza
Murray. A card for a ball was handed
her by one who had always professed
himself an admlrCr, and she forgot in the
moment of its reception her promise TO
Henry. But when alone, her situation was
view ed in its proper light. The card had
been laken-go she husband yet she
knew il was wrong; but he will forgive
me, thought she, and moving at a mo-
ment before mirror, she smiled with sa-
tislaction; then putting on an alch look;
danced merrily away with the cxclama-
ton "he cannot Withstand lhat.'' Blu, her
beauty. possessed not the power she ina
gined.
lie visited her the evening after the
ball, talked over the forfeiture of her word
coolly, and asked her plainly if she
thought she had acted correctly. Instead
of freely acknowledging her error. she
dwelt with apparent delight upon the gay
scene of the ball; told of the merry com
pany present, of the polieness olher part
ner, and in the end endeavored to ridi-
cule the idea of his beng offended. 1t
was enough--they parted.
Years rolled on--they mingled toge'h-
ar in the merry scene-surrounded by
the social fire side-but The delight which
affection for each other had thrown over
The slvery moments they had spent to-
| gether had ceased. Gold familiarity and