American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-04-24

| the shades of evening were fast darkening the
pavilion when hand softly closed over her
, own which lay listlessly on the cushions where
she reCned She started up i'll alarm and be-
held the Countess OF Hartford.
"Owing to the stir and excitement Of the
Queens ARRIVAL said the countess, 81 did not
miss you at first, but when ! did, and found
that you were nowhere in the house, began
to be seriouly alarmed. was soon relieved,
however, by Howard, who came to me to en-
quire about lady whom he described Of tran
scendent beauty, that lac had seen in the pa
vilon."
''And what did you tell him!" said Anne.
"Nothing satisfactory. tantaized him
with story that completely mystfed him,
and had the satisfaction before we parted TO
perceive that, in spite OF his efforts to con-
zeal 1t from me, he was madly in love with his
own wife. BE Of good heart, for torcsec that
all will come right at last. But you don't
think of spending the night here. do you:"
81 cannot again meet Howard" she replied,
"nor can think Of appearing in the presence
Of the queen"
''No, as affairs have turned ii Will be better
for you to risk seeing neither. Look, | have
brought youa cloak and hood, which will con-
ceal your dress and enable you TO pass unob-
served to your chamber"
Anne put them OH, and favored by the dark
ness, for night had now completely set in
they succeeded in gaining private entrance
TO the house without attracting observation.
As the illness Of the Earl of Arundel, her
husbands aged relative, made it imperative for
her to lose no time, before parting with the
countess 1t was arranged that she should take
her departure at an early hour, before the
queen or any of her court would be likely to
leave their pillows after the protracted festivi-
ties.
When Anne arrived at Arundel House, she
found that the earl was fast sinking beneath
| the pressure Of age and disease. AS Philip
Howard was the neal heir of his grandtathcr's
title and estates, it was soon after her arrival
thought to be expcdient to send messenger
to apprlse him of the earl's situation, but the
message was unaccompaned by any Intimaton
that his grandfather desired his presence. This
omission and the GOODNESS with which the earl
had long regarded him on account of his total
neglect of his wife, would, it was apprehend
ed, prevent him from coming, aud it was,
therefore, deemed unnecessary to inform Anne
that any message had been sent
Night was far upon its second watch, and
Anne sat alone by the bedside of the earl
The harvest moon looked in at the open case
ment, weaving its mellow beams with the fam
tastlc shadows which the heavy bed-curtains,
stirred slowly by the wind, cast upon the vain
scot and ceiling; but neither the moon nor the
pale night lamp could pierce the gloom that
seemed piled in pal pable masses in the remote
corners, and lurked amid the dark folds of the
velvet hangings.
A heavy sleep had fallen upon the Invalid,
and as she sat listening to his deep breathing
with her eyes fixed upon the slowly shifting
shadows, they seemed to assume the shape of
funeral figures, reckoning her to join them.-
An awe crept over her that thrilled in every
vein, and rising from her seat she bent over the
earl, in order that the sight of human face
might dispel her supersttious terror. All at
once he started and opened his eyes
"Ah, it s you, Anne" said he. 81 thought,
but it must have been dream that my grand
son was standing by me. ! remember now that
| have not sent tor him, and it is not likely he
will Gomez
''Do you wish him to be sent for?" she en-
quired.
81 dol wish to see you together by my
bedside before die. Do not wait for morning
it may then be too late"
81 will make your request known instantly"
was her reply.
She turned to leave the chamber and saw
Philip Howard standing Just within the door.
| as it possible" said he "that behold her
whom saw in the pavilion at"
"Say nothing of that now,'' said she. 81
will tell your grandfather that you are here. !"
The earl, who was again sinking into kind
of lethargic Sleep reused himself at the men
ton of Philips name, and requested him to
draw near his bedside.
"Philip Howard, said he, "you are the heir
of my title and all my possessions, but remehl-
Der that my blessing goes not with them I'M
| less Anne Howard is received into your house
as its mistress and treated by you as wife"
"Why," said Philip, "did you defer telling
me this till now? A week ago would have
made an effort to obey you-now 1t Is impos-
sible."
GAS you please, said the EARL "but remem-
Der the coronet will not be without its thorns,
that is bequeathed with dying mans male
diction"
"What can do?" said Howard. 81 might
easily promise all you require, but the blessing
gained by falsehoods would not sit more lightly
oil my spirits than your curse"
The earl waved him impatiently away.
"Anne, my child, come hither, )" said he.
Howard started at the name of Anne, but he
did not venture to incur the further dispeasure
of the earl by again approaching the bed.
"Were it not for you," said the earl address
sing her, "whose happiness has so long been sa-
crfed to that selfish and graceless young man,
and were it not that you must still remain the
victim of his cruelty, would suffer him to re-
ceive his inheritance in peace, but now-let me
not see your face, Philip Howard, but listen to
your grandfather's curse"
"Stay," said Howard, rushing forward, "frst