American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-06-25
THREE SCENES IN A LIFETIME,
81 rng ArrnoRrss OF seT-EsE clrANA.n


1t was evening--an autumn eveaing-iust
that delicious hour when the sun, bidding fare
well unto the earth, casts ever all things its
golden hue, and sheds around colorlng and a
calm that SAVIOUR more of heaveA than of
world of turmoil and of sin.
1t was at this most holy hour that a young
girl wandered slowly and sadly upon the lawn,
attached to one of the prettiest vicarage houses
in England. She paused at last beneath the
shadow of 4 noble tree, whose wide spreading
branches swept the earth around.
Shaking back the light brown curls from her
fair face, she looked upwards to the cloudless
sky; but quickly, as though its serenity and
peace were too perfect contemplation for a
heart throbbing beneath the influence of an
earthly care, the maiden bowed her head.
In her hand was bunch of freshly gathered
flowers, hut their perfume and beauty had no
power over her thoughts, and in apparent un-
consciousness of her work OF destruction, she
tore the delicate leaves apar. and cast them
from her, until the green swsrd around was
spangled with their varied hues.
What was her thought Why had the set
ting sun no charms for her? Why were the
blossoms she watched and rendered neglected
and destroyed? Why did the large tears trem-
BILE in her dark blue eyes? Alas! she had awak-
eHcu HOil SpClI-DbIIld uiSdh Oi huPPhSNS w
a reality of sorrow. The shadow of dsappolnt
ment and despair had fallen on her heart.
Mary Elce was the eldest child and only
daughter of the vicar of N, who for many
years had added to the somewhatScanty income
derived from his church preferment, and been
enabled to live in style almost approaching to
luxury, by experimenting the education of the
younger branches of noble families. Among
the pupils there was one who for some years
had been the darling Of the wears wife and
children, and the subject of much anxiety to
the vicar. Ernests racine was the second son
of nobleman, who had no inclination to sac
rifce either his own indu.genCes or the pros
poets of his heir. for one who was considered
by all as the scapegrace of his family. After,
therefore, having spent five years under the
care of Mr.. Ellice, Ernest was appointed to a
marching regiment ordered for Italian service,
and to the wears daughter this news had come,
fraught with the certainty of suffering. la all
Ernests wild frolcs, and the trouble and pun
/. ishment that followed them, Mary Ellice had
ever been ready with her gentle Voice and plead
ing smile to shield the handsome and daring
offender from her fathers anger and mingled
with his naturally impetuous disposition was so
much of generosity aud high ard kindly Inn
pulse, that there were few who knew and did not
love llIl. onCc, Wllcll uidly hau sCoh III "iiu
confined for some weeks to the drawing-room
sofa, Ernest had devoted every leisure moment
10 amuse the invalid, who had been so true and
eonsiderate a friend to him; and ever after
wards, when the good vicar would shake his
head and say-"That boys wilfulness will be
| the ruin Of him; ought to have been more
severe, Ibis wife would interpose with-"Ah!
Mr.. Ellice, remember how gentle and kind,
[ how auict and obedent he was when Mary was
: ill.,
And Mary herself would turn her entreating
( eyes towards her father, until he would smile
| and confess that, with all his faults, Ernest
! Graeme was noble youth.
/ And now he was to leave them-and Mary
I had stolen away from her mothers lamenta-
I tons, and the tears and sobs of her little bro
theirs, as in noisy grief they chung around their
( favorite to commune with her own heart, ana
/ tremblngly to read the secret written there
/ Yes, the wears daughter loved the young and
? high-born Ernest
{ MARY" whispered voice so near that she
started with low cry, shrinking from his gaze
| as she never had shrunk before, for she feared
lest he should learn the truth.
"Mary, dear" he said, "why did you come
forth alone!-this is the last evening, Mary, we
are to pass together" The girl struggled with
| her emotion and strove to answer calmly, as
/ she raised her eyes to that noble face that was
| bent towards her.
$50 soon!" she said. 'Do you depart to-
D morrow"
81 must, Mary, go within this very hour
My father has sent for me and my horse is
awaiting me-"
Every ray of color fled hom the fair cheek