Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-12-14

".
La the very depths OF my heart resolve
that the new wife should never gain frod
me the least token Of affection, and tha
! would stndiOusly strive to show that
regarded h,r as an intruder.
" a few days after this, my father i'm
pirted TO the rest Of the household the
tidinys OF his intended marriage. The
children. with the exception Of my sistel
Evelyn, who was just 6neen, were too
Young TO comprehend the extent Of wha
considered their misfortune, and scorn
ri the mcanness Of attempting to prejndic,
their feelings. But Evelyns cheek turn
ell pale. aud her soft eyes filed with tears
which, with brave effort, she succeeded
~ forcing back 10 their hiding place
Tor though only twelve when my mother
died sine could recall many instances oI
tenderness, and cherished the lnemor,
almost as sondly rs myself
l sholld have spoken long before orthi:
diIing sister, who indeed acts pr omi
n'ni pat IN my prssen, history. From
her birth. Evelyn had been delicate and
fragile flower. She was singuarly beau
tiui aud intelligent, affectionatc in hei
icclings, and o.. sensitive and gentle
nature.
But. alas. Evelyn was lie tined to an
early death. The same destroyer which
Dad borne oar mother To the grave had
placed nis signet on the brow OF this pure,
lovely beng, and We knew that the time
~as coming when we should look our
Ifst upon her face. She still mingled
daily with the circle round the hearth,
bat ihe hectic fash that tinged her cheek
aGd the fearful hollow congh that often
r~ked her frame, tod plainly of the ia
tqi issue
w'ii not llnger upon the events that in
,Fryened .lil the day appointed lormy faith.
ct'' second marriage. None OF US were
present at the ceremony, for It WAS cele-
bra,ed at the residence OF the brides
parents IN distant city. |, is probable
ih't my father Was well pleased with this
Arrangement, for he knew that was as
YET by no meloI reconcied to the change
proposed, though he doubtless believed
that when matters were irrovocably set
I! d, | should look with less repugnaRce
upoG what Was inevitable.
The hour at length drew near when
Ne were to expect the arrival of our par
ent. ana his second wife. and stationed
~ the parior. surrounded by my brother
md sisters. | awaited the appearance Of
her whom | had made up my mind to
receive with the most rcpulsve GOODNESS.
Ev"i'n wss seated near me, and the
heightened color upon her fair cheek
betrayed npusual agitation. At the sound
cfeyery passing vehicle. she would start
and ,:ciupie with such violence that |
feared her excitement would produce
ZONE terrible if not fatal consequence -
Bat did not seem 10 notice her emotion
too | had never allowed myself to con-
verse with my sister upon the subject
iaat iiy 80 near both our hearts, lest in
:he Impulse Of The moment ! might be
led TO say something that nigh, influence
her feelings.
AT last a carriage drew up at the
door, and IN a few seconds more my faith
er entered with the lady whom he intro
dmced as the future mistress Of his man.
sion. How shall | descrlbe.my stepmolh.
er ~ she then appeared TO me! Al that
period she must have been nearly forty,
bu, she looked at least ten years younger,
for
:" Time To her strange love had shown
Len her youths gifts, and spared his own"
And | felt as gazed upon her beautiful
and expressive countenance, and marked
her commanding form aud lis mingled
dignity ard grace, that she was well cal
culated TO exert nnresisted sway over
those who once submitted TO he power.
But was quite determined never to be
OF the number. and a. my parent intro
duced her, moved slowly forward, and
coidly extended my hand. At first she
did not notice my constrant, and would
have pressed her ips to mine. but drew
back haugh,ily from the pro!cred salu,a-
iicn.
Oh. what change a, that moment
stole over her face! The bright crimson
rushed to her brow, and ere :tng her state
iy figure to its fnll height, she rive;ed
upou lie a gaze which bespoke amaze
p,ent. indignation, and wounded pride.
| saw tina, in an iustau; she had compre-
hended what vas henceforth TO be our
relative position, aud inwardy rejoiced
thai she had thus early been acquainted
with my feelings. Ny father was not all
observer OF this scene, for he had been
busy giving directions to one of the SER
wants. Evelyn was standing by my side,
nnd as my s,epmother turned proudly
from me, her glance fell upon the hectic
cheek aud pallid features Of my sister,
Immediately her countenance softcne.',
while she drew nearer TO the trembling
girl, and half hesitatingly, as though a.!
!raid of being second time repulsed /
embraced her with kiss Much 10 my
s-onishment and disapprobation, Evelyn
gave it an affeo tionate response and then
the stately lady clasped her Sigh, form
closer md closer to her heart, and pres
sed her lips again aud again upon her
pure pale brow This show OF tender
ness was Of course disposed to regard
n. mere ar,ifce; but my every thought
was now merged in tha, Of the most in
tense alarm. The excitement ofthat day,