Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-02-01

busily reading a closely written noie.-
and there needed but one moments
glance al the sweet, blnshing face that
bent over il, 10 reveal the nature of the
communication. Her companion was
seated Fnpposile 10 her, and as Hester
gazed silently on the reader, her cheek
was very pale, and something Of pity
was in her earnest look.
"IIc will be here Tomorrow, Hester, I"
said Gerirude, without Withdrawing
bereycs from the precious epistle, two
davs sooner than | vculurcd TO hope
nh what happiness ~
Well was il for lester that she had
long ago learned 10 conceal and subduei
The strong rush of her emotions, or even
Gertrude with all her gay unconscious
ness, would have Interpreted truly the
sguaen expression of uuulteIable grief
that passed swiftly over those wan, still
features. 1t fingered but for an instant,
then, as the ripple dies on the surface
of the calm water, leaving it placid as
before, even SO the outward sign faded,
Of a firm, proud spirits trial. There
are natures that need trouble to perfect
them, souls that from their innate su-
perorily, would be too arrogant and
naughty, if some conflict with Time 5
sterner teachings did not bring them the
Improving. though humblIng conviction
of their own feeblcncss To Withstand
Temptation. IIester's was one Of these,
and depressing enough was the know
ledge that taught her TO tread resigned
ly and patiently, the pilgrm-path Of "a
life along which the thorGs were scat
tered so soon and ihickly.
'Ah me what delightful letter it
is = said Gertrude, with half sigh at
having finished it, as after a second
|lenglhened perusal, she slowly relolded
I the Invaluable document. Il declare,
Hester, never thought ! could be ac-
rually in love and do you remelnber
how ] delighted To tease you when you
used 10 praise Rudolph SO continually,
= and every body thought he was your
| lover ? did not know him then, or
should have listened to your commcn-
dations more graciously but you have
| my full and free permission to laud him
now as ardentiy as you please, and !
shall never grow weary of the theme
What fortunate lot mine is, Hester :;
!cyeYy change renders it brighter
Even in marrying, | shall break no ties
and make no sacrifices, for you know
that am not even 20 leave my own de.
lighifui home, and just fancy, dearest
how much more charming it will be,
when he will be constantly here.
With characteristic artlessness, Ger
rrude thus gave open utterance to the
I'uumingled happiness she felt, and there
was singular beauty in the innocent,
child like fervor of IA heart Just awaken
led by the touch Of love to the iul
f knowledge of its capacity for rapture
f Hester listened to her ecs,acies in ST.
lcnce, or answered them by kind and
gentle words, but they larred painfully
on the saddencd chords of her feelings
/, 'MoiEcr, | must come TO you = she
wrote in her letter that evening, it is
even as suspected and believed he i,
the bctrothed of Gertrude, and though
with the knowledge Of his deception anc
the sevcring of our engagement, the
| Iearncslness oi my love has vanished,
I would not risk, by remaining here, the
. arousing of recolIections that must b'
- painful to us both ! would not hav,
= Gertrude to suspect that Rudolph haC
co. known an earlier attachment, for sh,
D believes herself his first love, and it wer,
; cruel to dispel the romantic but bcauli
= ful illusion around her unshadowed lite
That his objects in this marriage ar
e mercenary and selfish, cannot bu
d fear for he cannot so soon have for
I gotten all the associations and Proies
e sions Of the past. Ii would be embar
C RAISING and useless for me 10 stay here
and ! must entreat you to write me
u recall Immediately after Gertrude
4" married In your bosom, my mother
u can lay my weary head, aud fiud sym
r. pathv. You have kindness and CON
J. fort for one whose iairest earthly hope
IT have faded aud died IN tho freshness q
J. their spring time THIS trial is hard /
endure, but what love could ever he I
me like that untirng aud lifelong devc
~ lion oT Vnurs ~