Saturday morning visitor., 1848-09-02

she had so solemnly promised 10 protect
and who had been TO her so long a son
quit her house forever, without any other
manifestation of emotion, may seem unna.
tural andinconsistent in the extreme. Bn
unnatural as it may appear, it was in per.
feet accordance with her character. She
was One of those persons with whom pas.
sion usurps the place, and wears the name
OF feeling. Perfectly selfish and egoiis-
llcal in her character, she valued objects
as they ministered 10 her own gratilica-
tion, rather than from any regard TO their
intrinsic worth. She had petted and spoi-
led the child entrusted to her care, but il
was rather from an emotion of pride, than
any sentiment of true and lasting affection.
Her presence had enlivened the childless,
and often. neglected solitude of her home
his handsome person, and fine talents, had
fattered her vanity, as much as his ready
obedience and constant Difference, had gra-
tilted her love OF power. Several incl
dents had occurred, however, previous to
his departure for Cuba, TO lessen her re-
gard; one of which was, he had begun 10
manifest troublesome desire 10 think oc-
casionally for himself His absence-for
her changing affections required the tam
gible presence of It's object to secure its
constancy- had reduced il still lower
and since his return, his constant efforts
to thwart her inhuman purposes, had com
pleted the alienation, and she regarded his
removal rather as source of pleasure,
than of pain.
Mr.. Eldridge had received him into his
family at first in Difference for his wife's
feelings, more than his own desires; and
although he had treated him kindly and
indulgenilv, he had never deeply loved
him. He had seldom dared ia oppose his
stronger minded wife; even where his
feelings and wishes differed instead of CO.
inciding with her own, and he certainly
never dreamed of doing so. in this case.
Our hero had sent little Maria and his
effects in a carriage 10 the hotel, and was
slowly proceeding towards it on foot, when
he felt hand laid upon his shoulder. to
arrest his progress. Turning round, to
his surprise, lie beheld Susan Murray, a
young woman who had for several days.
been sew ing for Mrs. Eldridge, and was
therefore perfectly acquainted with the
state of affairs. :.
"What do you intend 10 do with Ma
ria Z" she inquired.
81 do not know" returned Sidney, de-
spondingly; 81 " ~orld could get her in
10 some good family"
"Will you trust her 10 me9 You know
have been for some years engaged to
William Sherman. We did not expect it
would be SO for long while TO Gomez
But month ago, Willlam's aunt died,
leaving a neat lItlle cottage, and an acre of
land, about five miles from the city, her
little all. have tins morning finished my
last engagement, AMI next week we are 10
be married. aiy heart has often bled for
poor Maria, when l have seen her cruel
ly abused. But | was poor, and the Ed
ridges gave both william and me good
deal Of work, and dared not speak.
Now we do moi fear their anger, and
should like 10 have Maria with me. We
shall not be rich, but if you will trust her
with us, we viii treat her WE'LL"
Sidney heard this proposition with de-
light. He had racked his brain in vain,
10 discover some refuge for Maria. Of
all his wealthy acquaintances and they
we're many, he could think OF none who
would brave the anger of Mr.. Eldri,lge,
BY receiving the poor child into their ia
miy.
He had known William Sherman and
Susan Murray sr years. The first,
house carpenter, had often worked for his
uncle, and Susan had for long time been
his aunt's dress-maker. He knew they
were poor, but kind-hearted, ana that lie
lid not hesitate 10 entrust the child TO their
care. On examining his purse, he found
/ contained one hundred dollars, fifty of
which he gave to Susan as her first pay
neni and with mind relieved of It's
greatest anxiety, he proceeded 10 form
plans for his own future conduct. A mer-
,hant in Cuba had one day iocosely pro-
posed that he should enter his store as a
,lerk, and when he had acquired sufIi-
,ieht knowledge Of business, he would re-
'eive him as partner, and he now resolr
'ed TO CLAIM the Iulilmer, of the promise.
CHAPTER V.
Five years had passed away since he
eff Philadelphia, and Sidney Percyal lay
IN bed Of sickness. On reaching Ha-