Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-04-06
But this, strange To


Al this, Emily did not, Of course, actual,
say in her lslters, but there was enough told
for any one to perceive that she had been dis
appointed in the gre 1T aim of her ambition, the
uncuIbcd enjoyment Of a life OF gay and luAu-
rous indulgence, Of glitter and show
Meanwhile Sophy moral as well as men,
tai education continued 10 progress under the
fostering care of Mrs. Montague--a woman OF
enlarged mind, and unpretending piety-and
time flew by, as ii ever does with the happy
and the occupied. But this state of repose
was not to continue long; TRIALS and Affections
came, as they always do, IN crowds, and So
phys foritude and patience were put 10 the
scvercst trials.
Early in the spring, she was hurried 10
Washington to see her father breathe his last.
Mr.. Ellis had been fatally injured by the over
turning of carriage, and did not survive the
accident three days. Mrs. Fills, who accom-
panied him, was also severely hurt, and upon
Sophy fell the task Of nursing and soothing
her under this two-iold afilicton. Scarcely
had the first dark days Of sorrow and bereave-
ment passed away, when intelligence was re-
ccived of the death of Mr.. Gaythorn. He was
taken of suddenly by violent fever, and from
the hints contained in EInilys letters, leaving
his affairs in great entanglGment.
h Mrs. Ellis had never entirely forgiven Emily
her conduct 10 her nephew; and when the an
nouncement Of her loss was received, instead
Of inviting her TO return 10 her former home,
as Sophy expected, she merely dictated a
aucrulous commonplace letter of coincidence TO
her, and it was evident to Sophy, who did all
in her power to Soften her mothers resent
ment, that Mrs. Ellis had no conciliating feel
ing towards her.
Mrs. Ellis had now become a confirmed in
valid and it was the opinion of her physicians
that she never would entirely recover from the
injuries which she had sustained. On the
death Of her husband, she had given up her
town house, and she now determined 10 reside
hcnceforh entirely in the country. In this
step she was warmly seconded by Sophy, who
loved the country, and whose occupations and
amuscments never suffered her to feel weary
moment while there And now her occupa-
tions were manifold. She was nurse, adviser,
Iconsoler, and conn aniOn. She was the organ
through which all business matters were ar
ranged. hous okeeper, secretary, and proxy IN
general. And yet Sophy found time for all
this, Sophy the sclEwilcd Sophy the obs,i-
nate Prompt cheerful, and decided, she
quietly accomplished all that fell to her share,
and still had hours 10 open each day for her
own cmploymens. Mrs. Ellis assisted upon
the dulv walk, or drive, end for the rest, there
were odd moments enough, beside the sofa Of
the invalid, for the book, the work, or the
drawing; while night brought its hours of SOL
itude, meditation and independence.
In this quiet routine, more than two peaceful
years passed away. Mrs Eliss health,
which gradually became more and more under
mined, being the only source Of uncasiness eH-
perienced by Sophy. Letters came at inter
walls from Emily, usually filed with expires
sons of discomfort, principally founded upon
the complication and embarrassment Of her af-
! fairs while more regular and frequent cps
ties were received from Ashlcigh, who now
promised his aunt TO return home, her de-
clining health inducing her TO urge IL strong
Ily.
Ashlcigh netcr made 4 promise, but in good
| faith ard early in the autumn, some weeks
before he was expected, he arrived alter an
absence Of three years. Three years is pc
rod in the existence of ans one. Three years
scent by the domestic fres'de, changes us Oft
en- materially how much greater, then, must
! b. the effect Of such an interval Of time on one
who has passed i, in the rapid and struggling
current oi life. where strange and novel scenes
are passing before him, and where - mid the
shock. the hum of men, he has been taught
TO uproot his own prejudces, to respect those
of others, aud in stranger lands to read human
nature in lis outsprcad book Al! this had
happened to Ashlcigh. In many respects he
was altered. but a lttle while sufced 10 con-
vince Mrs Ellis, who feared that foreign tray-
e had made him " fine" that in all essentials,
he was in no way changed for the worsc.-I
|Ih, same frank, ailcctionate manner, the same
simple tastes remained as when they parted
last
In compliance with the earnest wish of Mrs.
Ellis, 4 Ashleigh, few months after hIs return,
can. parmlnlntlv to reside with her, itbciug
her wish that the lemnan, Other life might be
chcercd as much as possible by his presence.
The interest which Sophy so early felt IN
Ashleigh had never died away she met him
with a warm and friendly greeting though
unconsciously TO herself, that warmth was
measured to conceal how great her pleasure
was Often and often, during the cheerful
happy hours now passed by them at their
quiet frcslde, did Sophy wonder If hshlogh /
had forgotten Emily. lie never spoke Of her
sister. or to her knowledge inquired for her,
and Sophy, afraid to mention her name, had
only heard her alluded 10 once, when Mrs FL
lis asked him if he thought Sophy had grown
up like Family" Not at all, ma am, was Inc
quick reply; every different"
"Alamm4 iorgcts the past unused Sophy.
" ldolizcd as she7was, she must always stand
alone in his imagination
And vet Sophy was mistaken. Ashlcigh
was not thinking of her sister at that moment I
he was gazing upon her, and telling himself
that never in all his wanderings had he me,
with lovCllcr wonan-ncyCr looked into the
depths of more loyirg, truth-tdling eyes
Ii was pleasant winter, after rall--Ashleigh
never tired of describing his travels and adscn-
lures abroad to hrs two curious and unwcaned
listeners. Then there were pleasant books to
read, aud daily ncwsto tell for Ashllgh went
nearly every day 10 town, occasionally return
inc with a friend or two, to cnllyen their circle
and vary their amusement. Mrs. Ellis revived
,isibly under these cheering influences, and
schemes for the future again began to occupy
her thoughts.
The spring came, and Mrs. Ellis cquanlln-
ity was completely overs,t by a letter from
Emily, offering visit for the approaching
summer. Unpleasant IA this would have been
at any time. i0 Mrs. Ellis was particularly e"
at present Emily had never offered visit
b lorc-no, even at the period of her father 5
dcath-and Mrs Ellis, whose temper aud
preiudiccs time had but little sofcnnd, without