Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-09-09

widowed aunt, hgh-minded being, who had sought
and found the sweetest solace for her own early be-
reavement in the artless nature of her young rela-
tive. Although by no means a stranger to the me-
tropos, to society, the country had been Helens
home. Her young heart had been expanded beneath
the influences of nature; her taste had been refined,
her fancy quickened by it, and though she had read
much, she had time and leisure to think more.
In short, she was fine natural character as little
warped as possible by the prejudces of the selfish
and the conventionalists of society. Death had a
year before deprived her of her more than mother,
and the independence which this beloved relative had
bequeathed to her, while it rendered her object of
envy to her unmarried sisters, seemed to her own
heart no consolation for her irreparable loss.
But the Stranger who had overheard these few SEN
tences which, to thoughtful mind, revealed world
morning concert simply to enjoy music, in which he
delighted; yet so absorbed did he become in some
all engrosslng thoughts, that the sweet sounds he
had sought to hear fell upon his soul only from time
as chimes that harmonized with his reflections, what
ever they might be, and remembered afterwards
by the powerful association which linked some Pc
cullar cadence with thought, dream, memory
or with moment where his attention had been rou-
sed by some expression of pleasure or admiration in
the sweetest voice he had ever heard, the voice of
Helen Travers. He was not what boarding school
girls and youths in their teens call young, for he
must have retched or and thirty; and according
to such high authority he had passed the age osro
nance and the capability of sudden love- and yet,
those two hours he drank as deeply of the draught
as ever did mortal man. A strange and awful youth
had checked and driven back the tide of emotions
which belong to its epoch; only that it might swell
with the concentrated might of loftier sentiment,
chastened tenderness and retained passion. He
wouId-ere half that time had expired-have periled
life to have touched that ungloved hand, to have
caressed the light ringet which oated from time to
time beyond her bonnet!
1t seemed, too, that fortune to favor him, for
friends up and addressed Mrs. Cunningham =
mutual introductOns elected that of Helen. He had
but to follow them to their door; and now he knew
who she was, and where she lived. This he did with
wonderful calmness. People always, are calm on
great occasions; except, indeed, people are them
selves too small ever to make or understand them.
Wel-the pigmy of soul escape through the en-
tagling meshes which fate weaves for mankind, into
the outer void of mere animal existence; they are
the strong of heart and quick of sense who
tanned to play great parts in the struggle of life and
the war of the passions. And yet, oh, misery fhu-
manity; who that has suffered deeply has not felt
that in the deepest depths of anguish there is pulse
which vbrates not with pain; Feebly, and rather as
the first faint promise of future joy, then the flicker
of expiring power, but still to console, still to
whisper Peace, peace better thus than not to feel!
So felt William Johnson-for by that common
name must the stranger be known-so he felt in the
hour of endurance, when the strong man wrthed In
of which he was master.
Life is either one long chapter of accident, or there
is no such thing as accident in the world Three
days afterwards, the stranger of the concert room
was formally introduced to Helen Travers at the
house of mutual friend. Three months from that
let listen to their words; they have been betroth
ed for weeks. The scene was a drawing room in an
antique country house. Both were the guests of
Mr.. and Mrs. Cunningham.
81 have but one care, William, one sorrow in the
world,' exclaimed Helen, pressing the hand which
had fondly clasped hers between both his own; oh
why this mystery, why this concealment! You are
free to do as you will, and so am 1; though, good
and generous and true, and rich," she added with
smile Gas you are, my family, you well know would
receive you with open arms;"
''The time is come; be seated" he replied in a
tremulous voice; and releasing his hand with GEES
ture that might have been, but not, mistaken for
GOODNESS. And while Helen sank on neighboring
couch. he leaned his for support on the opposite
mantle-pece. His couutenance was pale as ashes,
but his voice grew more steady as he proceeded;
'The first time saw you," he continued, 81 heard
you say you could more readily forgive the one great
fault of life than habitua meanness of character
have two sins to confess ere would wed you-as
l might do, and you never, never know them you
see am my own accuser, also make the most of
my virtues; therefore do take some credit for en-
forcing secrecy till had summoned strength for the
confession For if you reject me, and sorrow in the
act, believe you would rather not take the cold
world into your confidence. And yet if there be So
lace in revealing what tell you, be free as air to do
so ifyou will. Life would be as worthless the be-
trayal of my secret would be but feather, weighed
aginst the sweet thought of assuaging your sor- |
row."
sYou frighten me- murmured Helen, struggling
with emotion.
Gin mercy he exclaimed, ''not tears--yet will
,e brief One of my sins has been wooing you, with
he dark knowledge in nv breast that crime of nv