Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-05-19

changed now. Time has penciIlcd few stra,
lines upon my features; and long absence has
eslranged even the beloved scenes ofmy child
hood"
"iou were then, native OF this town."
81 was, sir; and my earliest and harpiesi
days we're spent within its limits: and, borne as
by the delightful anIieipaIions Of soon meeting
with my old friends and associates, a knowl.
edge OF their present situation might, perhaps,
better prepare ne lol the reception which NAV
meet. Doubt is more poignant than grief, even
when disappointment cannot surprise.
81 will cheerfuly inform you as regards the
LOT Of any with whom may be ACQUAINTED. !"
returned The other: ''though my knowledge Of
the inhabitants Of this town is somewhat limi.
Ted, having myself resided here but liglle more
than year"
"Know you" continued Stewart, after hay.
ing inquired respecting few Of his early com.
panions: "know you an individual belonging
near here BY the name OF Frank Stewart |
shall be exceedingly delighted 10 hear Of him,
as he was one Of my classmates.
81 am familiar with bis history, sir; though |
never saw the young man; as he left this place
some years since. have been told that a like.
lier lad never entered yonder schoolhouse. His
prospects were glowing; but as youth advanced,
Frank grew wild, and short time previous to
graduating al - College, he became inlrexi.
cably entangled in some love matters, and soon
after went away 10 sea. never allow myself
to circulate any evil report, especially Of one
whom never knew; nor did | ever wish 10 be-.
ieve the current stories respecting his character,
and the reason why he left his country; and al.
though he no longer lives, there are many who
know him from infancy, who believe him to
have been unmanfully iraduced, and who have
even asserted iheirdoubls respecting his dealh."
"Then il seems that his friends have no d..
rect evidence Of his being dead"
"No more than this, sir-but il you will
walk with me into the silIing room, will with
great pleasure relate his Story, as myself re.
ceived it. though again assure you | cannoI
vouch for its Irulh,"
\ Frank trembling with excitement from the
information which he had received from the
polite landlord. eagerly accepted The offer, and
followed his informant into an adjoining room.
There, gathering what information he could
from his companion, still without making him.
self known to him, he ascerained that the ezra.
zy hunter,' who had disappeared from the vii.
lage about the time Of Swau's departure, had,
year and half afterwards, returned. giving
the information Of Franks "uniimely fate,
blended with cold and calculating fabrication.
He had made advances TO Henrietta Halsey
} though unknown to Frank, previous 10 the time
at which he surprised the lovers in the forest
but having been met by repuse, he deIermi
ned, under the supposiIion that Stewart stood il
: The way Of his success, 10 effect his purpose
even though compelled to resort to the fouIes
and most revolving measures for its accomplish
; ment that malignant passion could invent
Choosing for his weapon The cool and deliberate
tongue of SANDER, he welded il with q serpenl's
cunning. He represented Stewart as having
entered eghboring seaport, where, becoming
pronigate. he passed through series Of crime
and dissipation, and was at length compelled tc
flee his country in orderto escape The pursuing
arm of Justice, and that, soon after, while a
sea, he had headed band of mulineers, been
taken, convicted Of piracy, and executed in .
foreign land.
"Such story" concluded the narrator, 'fal.
lacious as it may seem, gained much credit a.
mong our old maids, who circulated II with
such avidity that even his name, became d
mock.word. And the poor young ady--could
you have seen her sir!-compeled by his long
silence 10 these reports, gradually wasting away
until the roses forsoOk her cheek, and the FIRE
her eye, you would have melted, for even 8
stranger must have wept; yet no sigh or COM
plaint escaped her lps-but why do you look
so pale, sirl are you unwell
"OnIy slight indis position--I am much bet
ter now; please proceed, for | am much inleres
ted, replied Frank, with strong but vain ef.
fort to veil his intense feelings with smile.
"Shed no tear; hut with seraph's devoiedness
she secluded herself from the world and wor
shipped only the memory Of the departed and
her God.
"And no@; where is she ncwl does she livel'
"Two weary years thus passed away; the
lovely girl was no longer the life of the village
and it was feared that the dropping blossom
} would soon fold its leaves forever, At this lime
| distant relative returned from his residence a
} the Soulh, and yielding to his persuasions, anC
} the advice Of her friends who hoped thata change
} of scene and cline would improve The constlu
ton tha, grief had so much impaired, she lel
for southern city, where, | believe, she sill
resides"
With an aching brow, and desolate hear
Stewart slowly pursued the path that led to hi
fathers dwelling.
} CHAPTER w.
The hour was midnight. Two individuals
! mi ioht hos ,bair