Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1847-02-25
4 SELECTED STORY.
From Hst Hiaehsster Republican. !.
THE La W STUDIES MT
By II eAMIltcs BAKER.

L was a mild summer evening". Tie
sup had setiu food Of glory aud now
hinged with gold sad purple the deHss
clouds which hung in the horizon likt
curtains drawn 70 hide bis depsrlit
spiendor Behind these. bis weskent
beams flashed against the sky. giving i
raddy glow; whilst here and there 1
lingering ray burst through he vappr
and spread M silver penciIliDg upon ,
dark Sackgrouad-or passing Upward
crimsoned the scattered clouds that hoat.
ed 10 the azure above. An was calm. ~
Nature seemed hushed under the infln.
ence OF tue hour. Not sound was 10
be heard. save that indistine, hum which
on such an evening falls upon the ear
like distant music. @
Beautiful was the. scenery upon which
the rich mellow liz b, Of that sunset fell /;
but, with all its loneliness. there was a
tair. gentle being who gszed upoH>it with
indifference. She was seated by an d
pen sindaw. An extensive pleasurA
ground. whose velveiy surface was mark
ed BY a babbllhg brook and shaded With
towetipg tfees--bright green fields, with
their grazing herds-dsrk W Gods dis,srs
blue mountains, and The gorgeous sky be
yond, all lay like vast picture befor.
her. But she saw not their beauty-heI
thoughts were far away. The labored
heavings OF her bosom, the tfemuIous
uotion o. the hand upon which She rest
ed her pale cheek, aud bright tear, drop
on the long. dark lashes OF her eve.
showed that she was suffering some pow
erful and painful emotion. /.
Alice Alton was surrounded with eves
ry JOY wealth could purchase, She w d
beautiful, admired and battered by alt
and the only daughter of dolipg father.
who .ayisbed upon her ell The love thai
he bad been prevented from bes,owins
upon bis wife, by early death. A few
short weeks. and she was 10 be The bride
OF the high born, the accomplished George
Melville, Then why was she soffowfuI
had che not cause to be Joyous !, Bul
who can read the heart; who can SCI
what misery they may feel Who We ina
CINE should Be hsppisst! Misery which
their seeming joys but sagmeat. and
which turns their draughts Of pleasure Z
bitterness.
Let Us throw aside tbe veil, and expose
hidden thoughts. Alice Alton loved
but not him 10 whom. her hand had been
promised. This promise she had eivsE
only 10 crafty her father. whose -sligh,es
wish she looked upon as . command -
He wished her 10 marry George Melville
aud be bad mistaken her reluctant and al
most forced consent. for willing ness.- -
How many parents have made the same
nistske; how many sscriieethe life.lonl
happiness Of their children Al the shrine
Of their own desires.
Melville was wild ard Jissipated and
though he was talented. and preserved a
all hines the bearing Of . sentleuan, We
be wsnied that high moral priucipl,
which would have enabled him 10 resis
temptsiion. He cared for nothing bu
his own pleasure, and 10 gaia this be ief
no means uniried.z Meeting Alice Of !,
Eball, be vas struck with her beauty, an,
discovering that she Uas IN heirsss. b,
de.erminsd 10 sue for her hand Hi
cause was favored by her isther, VII
Eearneslly desired 10 see her the wife Q
one who was her equs. 10 wealth en-
Esiaudine. Mr.. Alton was dsa o. III
world. and, therefore. did not stop 10 o.
Tic Melville loved bis child, or could otfs
her irue ADD noble heart with hir
these were things Of minor importance
Ian he knew and sll be wished 10 kno,
abod. him. 40, ihst he.vss wealthy. tb'
be stood high - life; for.ihis in bis opin
lion was III thai pas needed 10 eons,itu:
IEhsppiless.
Alice. Ne have said did notloye Georg
Melville. Her heart vas With one Nh.
though seemingly aoble end high-nint
led, bad. after gaining her affections. ifes
ed her With coolness aDd appstent ind
fefence. II Is lfpe. be had never spoke
70 her II lovs bal here j. Z ldngllss
1.-The eyes. and there are aciious. uhieh
lsuch matters tel more lhan words. tn
be wss seemingly honorable. yeiso Der