Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-01-01

by the drums Of the castle-a signal
for separation which Edward dared no,
disobey for early the next morning the
regiment in which ho was an ensign,
was to march, and he was obliged TO
appear at a preliminary muster. There
was no ,i,pe for words. Edward drew
from his pocket a coin nearly severed
in half one portion he presented to
Maria, the other he retained. They
quite broke il, each keeping moieiy (;
the meaning aud imHre ssiyeness OF
which ceremony must be well known To
those who are versed in ancient Scot
,ish customs, and who have read SCOTS
pathetic novel, 'The Bride Of fLammcr-
muir BY mighty effort, Edward
tore himself from his fair companion.
As the soldier bent his slow and sorrow
lul steps towards the castle, be paused
for a moment, and drew from his breast
a small packet with which Maria had
on previous occasion presented him,
II contained lock Of her hair, and he
kissed it iorvcntly and, in imitation Of
the chivaIry Of old, he inly vowed that
these tokens should cheer him in mo-
men,s Of dependency, and animate him
in the hour of dagger. With this high
soulod resolve, he passed the gate which
opens on the csplanadc, and hurried of
10 his quarters to prepare for duty.
Maria, on her part, was found by her
young companion weeping bitterly, and
scarcely able to support herself. With
kind solictude her friend helped her
along, and strove, with words Of sooih
ing and encouraging consolation, to
blunt the sharpness Of the grief she sui-
fcred. 1t was growing dark, and they
quickcncd their pace. In the gloomi-
est part Of the ground, where the path
is almost hidden by overhangng trees,
they heard, to their great alarm, foot
steps overaking them. THIS induced
them to double their speed it was use
less tho heavy tread of man still
gained upon them andIn another in
slant Maria heard her name pronoun-,
ced in tone ofimpatience, not unmIx-
ed with anger. On looking round she
beheld her father!
The result was, that Maria's misery
was increased ten fold, aud that night
was without doubt the most wretchcd
she had ever spent, rs her disordered
and carc-worn appearance next morning
fully indicated.
Aller breakfast Mr.. Panson took his
daughter kindly by the hand, and led
her into the study. Her heart beat vio
lcnty, for she had presentiment that
Edward was to be the subject of their
conversation. "My dear Maria" he
commenced, "ncithor your mother nor
}
Imysclfcan sec you in this state Of aiiiic~.
iion-in spite ofthe imprudencc on your
part which has led TO i;-wihout feel
ing deeply afflicted. Let me reason
with you little on the engagement you
would have entered into with Mr.. Bur
ton. Let me assure you it is from no
caprice or hardness Of disposition that
have SO dccisivcly negatived your
mutual wishes. He is, confess, a
well conducted, and, for aught know
TO the contrary, an an,abie young man;
but his profession, as well as his want
of fortune, are obstacles to any hopes
Of happiness as your husband. 1t was
therefore my duty to reject him as a
son-in-law.
You, as only daughter, mas! have
prived your parents Of your much cher
ished society, or have remained burden
ed with an engagement indu'ging in n
iruiIcss hope that young Barton would
carve his way to fortune with his sword,
(which is IN these davs the worst of all,
instruments for making money" When.
her father advcrlcd to the idea Of hcI
going abroad, and leaving him aud her
mother, Maria's tears fell fast, aud she
remembered that amid the s'rong feel
ings which had lately ogltatcd herl
breast, she had never definitely thought
OF that event as forming a necessary
consequence Of her union with Ed
ward
Besides" continued the kind father |
"you aro young, aud the ardent feelings
of youth are not always TO be trusted !
Burton has been your only loyer ; your
affections have yet to be tested by the
adulation aud addresses of others. You,
may changc."
"Never ~ interrupted the young la
A 81.