Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-03-30


for they had now reached the honse, and leav-
ing him abruptly, she few quickly up stairs to
her own room.
i "wha, shy, reserved child she is!" ex-
claimed Ashleigh, as she disappeared.
II For some time Sophy sat lmmovshe In her
! chair, her casped hands resting in her lap, and
her head sunk upon her bosom. There was a
tumult Of strange emotions awakened within
II her. that she found it impossible 10 ravel.-
Wis, as she was beyond her wears, in many
respects, Sophy was, "a yet, a novice in all
that concerns the intricate wndngs Of the hu-
man heart. She dreamed not that the last
half hour had crushed within her one Of those
/ latent preferences, which in time might have
! rpcned aud influenced her whole existence -
4 She knew not that her sisters shadow now
! fell between, and darkencd for her the sunshine
/ which for months had frightened her path. -
! She thought that the flutter and agitation of
! her feelings were occasIoned by SURPRISE and
with one of those strong and vigorous mental
! efforts, which her sex are 80 often called upon
to make, she flung from her the heavy weight
J Of oppression which she was too innocent To
account for, and turned To her usual pursuits
/ for employment but not with the same results
| as formerly, for now there were n resilessness,
a dissatisfaction, desire for change, which
she had never before experienced, and she long
! cd for the time To come, when she should go
! to Mrs Mon,ague's, at whose school she was
10 remain during the absence of her family.
i Emily never spoke to Sophy of her engage
\ mcnt, for with the lntutlve quickness of wo-
m,n in all that concerns the affections she had
. detected in Sophy the little germ of preference
for Ashleigh, which lay hidden even from her
self. There was, however, no offender woman
ly compassion for her young sister elected in the
cold heart Of Emily, by this discovery. So
ply, 10 her estimation, was q presumptuous,
vain little chit qulle TOO forward for her years;
aud to check her boldncss, in thus daring to
In her thoughts TO the lover on whom she had
condescended TO smile, she preserved a scorn-
iul silence towards her. Mrs. Ellis spoke of
it to Sophy, but II was as much 10 crafty her
own love OF talking, and TO caution Sophy on
the subject of secrecy with regard to the en-
gageIncnt, which was not to be announced Till
spring, as from any regard to her feelings.
Tha few weeks, that were now to intervene
; before the opening Of Congress. soon passed
by. The beginning Of December found Mr.
and Mrs. Ellis, and their Oldest daughter, on
their way TO Washington, and Sophy quietly
installed at school. Ashleigh, whose p.oics-
sional engagements detained him in Philadel-
phla, it was agreed, should visit his be,rothed
a. often rs possible during the winter.
The long winter months passed away un-
marked by any unusual event. and the spring
was, at length, come. One morning about
! this time, Sophy was summoned to the parlor
to see Mr.. Ashleigh. lie had come OCCASION
ally through the winter with messages and let
Y ters from her family: and she concluded that
this visit was of similar kind. When she
entered the room, she was surprised TO find
! Ashleigh awaiting her with grave and troub-
led countenance. Sophy's first thought was,
I that some calamity had belallen her family, and
she questioned him in alarm. lie assured her
\ that all were well.
T" Then, what is the mltter!' she asked,
still marking his unusual mlnner.
i Ashleigh took from his pocket letter, and
handing i to her, said Read this, Sophy. -
\ SOphy received the letter, and opened il with
a nervous qulckcning of her pulses, as she per-
ceived that the letter was from her sister.
\ In few cold and unieeling words, Emily
informed Ashleigh that she had been for some
time aware that her regard for him was not of
nature TO warrant her fuiilmcnt Of the engage
T mcnt existing between them, and that, as she
II Intended to enter into one more congenial to
her feelings, she begged TO release him from
!. the tie.
The letter dropped from Sophy's hand, and
she burst into tears.
SIS it not cruel letler.' asked Ashleigh,
as no paused in his rapid walk across the room.
"Cruel %, most unworthy, heartless, sim
ulr
| Ashlcgh now Informed her that he had re- |
ceyed by the same mail, letter from his aunt, 4
who told him that Emily had been flirting dur /
| irg the whole winter with southern ge tie |
nan, who had been one Of the most prominent
persons in society during the season, partly /
through the elegance ofhis person and manners, Il
md partly through his reputation for great
wealth. Mr.. Gaythorn finally addressed her, Il
! md Emily informed her father Of her accept l
lncc of his proposal. Ashleigh did not repeat,
all the bitterness and indignation expressed by |
Mrs. Ellis nothing but the commands of her |
husband having induced her to remain in Wash
lngton after she became acquainted with Emily IS |
intentions. Mr. Ellis had sanctioned his daugl- |
ior's conduct. and consented to her new en-
gagemcnt and Mrs. Ellis added that she be-
level they were to be married as soon as the I
adjournment Of Congress allowed them to re- \
turn home.
AshIegh continued to pace the room, giving
vent to his indignant and wounded feelings
dwelling upon the sincerity and trustfulncs. of
the affection which he had lavshed upon Emily,
and upon her cold and deliberate heartlessness. lI
But when he spoke Of the effect which this /
must have upon his mind and future happiness II
when he declared that Emily had rendered II
it impossible for him, henceiorth, TO believe in
the truth and constancy of woman, Sophy, i
with quick and Inpetuous movement, laid
her hand upon his arm and said, in voice
broken by enotion-" oh do not say so Ill
yo,r love was unworthily placed She did not
appreciate you. She knew not how to value
love like yours. Do not say that all women
would do the same-Oh no, no - Il
TO be Continued. Il
OUTRAGEOUS ATTEMPT TO COMMIT A RAPE
IL e IL II