Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-14
1WhoIe No. $40.
had disposed her 10 return again cog
tented w,ih her humble lot.
CHAPTER V.
MLErINO THE THIRD.

MELTING THE THIRD.
The night was bitter cold. Mrs
Melville, after her young friend bads
her good night sat by comfortable fire,
considering in what mode and by what
means she should persuade upon Laura
the acceptance OF comfortable cloak
and hat, articles which she was very
well aware tie orphan did not possess.
She con'ri,ed an ingepious ar,.iice, the
contemplation of which warmed her more
than ali the luxurious appliances Of which
her wealth made her the posssessor.-
4 She determined that on the next day sp0
would 20 out and purchase material.
teigning that they were for herself aud
then she would pretend TO be dissatisfied
with her bars ain-or that she really did
aot need it-ihat she was ashamed ia
return the articles Or IL exchange them
and that, finally, she would beg Laura
10 take them off her hands While Mrs.
Melville was deIIghting herself with ,hia
pleasant mental comedy, little did she
fancy that she for whose benefit i, Was
all devised had flown
Laura hugged her shawl about her to
keep out the keen air rs she walked. -
Occasionally size felt half iwiuge of
IreproacL for the manner in which she
had deceived her kind PATTON hui nv
her uiud took ia all Tue circumstances
Of the case, she could not perceive tina,
any other line Of conduct would have
made her less uneasy. But the current
of her thoughts was suddenly and in d
most startling manner interrupted.
A figure emerged from the stately
doorway Of the gaming house. lie
hastily descended the steps She paus-
ed almos, unconsciously as be spprosch-
ed, and slipped into the shadow TO per-
init him to pass wilhou, perceiving her.
1t was not necessary. SO wrapped was
ne in his own agony, that he would no,
have observed her had il been bright
sunlight. She shuddered as she caught
the demoniac expression OF despair aud
torture upon his face as he hurried by
The lamp. lie wore no hat-oue hand
was tangled in his hair, and with the
other he hastily drew sopeih,p ,pg from \
side pocket. lie turIed corner into u
by street, aud Laura, wilhou; iho't OF
breath OF hesitation, was at his side in an
instant She dashed down his a,m, aud
the report Of pocket pistol, as it was
discharged upon the pavement, brought,
IN another moment, several of the nigh,
police to the spot.
They found Laura upon the ground
insenslble. The loiled self murderer
was gazing vacantly about him, una
ware as yet by what accident or inter
venlion his purpose had been prevented.
{ Another woman murderer, almost,
SAID one OF the watchmen, as he raised
the girl from the ground. This sor, of
thing is getting to he uncommon lre-
quent.'
where is your ha, :: asked another,
who had taken the man to custody. -.
what! YOU can't speak, eh"
The unhappy man answered uo
word. He knew that whatever be might
say here could do him no good, aud
might embalrass him allcrward The
shock recalled him to his senses, and
he puzzled himself in vain TO account
for the sudden apparit'on OF the WOMAN
who had, il seemed to him, miraculous
ly inlerposed between himself and de-.
s,ruclion. Scarce less iain, than Laura
and sick at heart, he was glad to be led
away from among the crowd, which hy
the rumors Of the affair, various and eS-
aggern,ed, was fast collecting. A stone
or two was thrown 10 at the wlnlnws "f
the house, by some Of the more vIrluons
ly outrageous in the mob, but tn" lights
we're instantly eylingqshed, and The
police soon cleared the streets. L,nr"
and the man she had saved were carried
To the station house and all was q 'iei
again. The stars looked down N their
cold brilllance Shiverine poverty cheat.
ed for n moment from the contemplation
Of its woes, resumed its self complain.
ings. Busy vice, diverted for an instant
from its occupation, dismissed ,he l'''le
disturbance from It's thoughts and ra-
sumed It's salurnalia. Calm innocence,
which had slept through the whole, -lrm
on to wonder, when The matter should
IL a..