The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-05-24

but, as we arrived at the top of the
stairs, and passed intoa warmer atmos-
phere, she whispered that the hour to
test my courage and love had arrived.
We stepped across a soft carpet, and
she seated me on yielding cushion. |
couli' see nothing through the thick
veil which she had thrown over my
face, vet kind of blueishness in the
darkness before me, convinced me that
| was in a lighted room. No sound
could hear, save the suppressed brea-
thing Of my trembling companion, and
the beating of my own heart. After
remaining for moment on the ottoman,
which shook from her nervousness, she
again addressed me: .|.e
"You ar, armed with pistol and dag
gerp H
81 nm," said |, inwardy praying that
might have no occasion 10 use them.
"You will please give me those wea-
pons," said she. .a
"Ahew thought ~ am betrayed;
ano she asks my weapons of defence,
that may be made an easier prey!-
Let me ask" said ], "your reasons for
this strange request?' lf
"a true lover never asks for reasons
from onein whom he eonfdrs," answer
ed the "mask;" adding-"The busi-
ness have in hand for you has need of
courage, calmness and prudence: but
your weapons could az all YOU nothing.
They will not be required" She shud-
dered as she spoke; adding quicky:-
''Such as they have already done too
muchw ..r
She paused a moment, and seemed
to be- schooling herself to some dread
ful task. Again she addressed me:
81 have tale to tell you, sir; no.n1t
tale, but some questions to ask. Had
YOU an only sister,one who was young.
fair, innocent, and ignorant of the
worlds wickedness, and thus unprepa-
red TO cope with vile art and sinlune SIS;
and should she meet with one who was
in appearance all full Of nobleness, pu-
ri.v, generosity, and true manIiness;
and. in her own iuII-heartedness should
she love him on Y as woman in natures
simplicity can love; and should he ia
king foul advantage Of her affection for
him, work her ruin, and having .uccee-
ded, then scorniuIIy leave her without
reparation, an ortcast from even his
bosom; dark thing upon the world;
unwilling to live, unprepared 10 de;and
should she, in the hour when he spurn-
ed her, dishonored thing, from his
feet; even when she was pleading for
the love and protection OF one who
with hclIish art had wrought her ruin;
should she in that dine moment of crow
ded mseres strike poinard to his
heart"
"She would nobly do her duty"
cried |, excited to madness by the pain
ful pic ure.
"Would you aidher in removing all
the proof of crime?" continued the
.'mask "would YOU assist that poor
girl to place beneath the dark earth all
that was earthly v of her deiiIer!"
II would! If thou art she. lead on.
am ready; ay, ready to do more!--
Would that my hand instead of thine
had sent the recreant's SOUL TO its his
sing home! love thee now better
than before. True, thou hast been dis
hon ored, but thou art avenged"
"Be not too hasty, sir, said she; "let
me sketch you one other picture, before
| call on you for action. Again will
suppose you have an only sister. ]
will suppose her, with your full knowl-
edge and consent. to have given her al
fections and her hand to one whom you
believe to be noble, manly, and in eve
ry way calculated to make her know
the true bliss of existence. She loves
HIM, even over the bound of this worlds
ladoration; watches for his smile as tie
flower beaten down by the rain waits
for the sunshine; sghs and DROPS when
the clouds OF sorrow cast their shadows
over him; joys when his hopes bright
en-; ministers to every comfort, and
seems being as closely bound to him
as light is to the diamond. Suppose
that he to whom you have entrusted
her the innermost heart Jewel of ''our
self, the bright corner OF your domestic
freside imagine that he should grow
cold and unmindiul of her peace; that
his love for her should fade; that her
smile should fall upon HIM cold as torch
light on funeral pail; that her voice
should no longer be music to his ear,
that he should seek for other smi'es,
and give TO other ears the words which
were alone her due; when you saw her
dropping, fading, dying, beneath the
shadow Of this neglect, what would you
dop FagA 4saera.
.Slay him by the Hand which made