Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-12-06


have been nothing to it. ! have mas
tered myself. The past is but pain
ful dream. Lillias, listen--Y Your moth
er was my sister :"
Lillias raised her wet eyes to his,
clasped her cold hands, and murmurcd
n prayer to heaven. Lord Clarence
went on
"Oh, how often have heard that sis
ter's story told She was fair and pure
as an angel. And while yet child al
most, her Father called her home. -
The voice Of the young man faltered,
yet he proceeded: Clara was but ff-
teen when she married a Mr.. Manera.
lie, too, was young and poor. My ia
,her had forbidden the union, was dis
pleased, and--disowned his child..---
From that hour nothing has been heard
Of her till now, as your mother. But
that had well-nigh hroke my fathers
stubborn heart. lie would fain have
taken his erring child back to his bos-
ON, and held her there till he saw the
light of happiness on her brow, and the
tears of penitence in her eyes. Aud
my mother, too, oh, this was a dread
ful blow ! vet she survived il. She
knew, we all knew, that my stern faith
er had repenied this rash act. lie was
afterwards gloomy. And when on his
death bed, he said to me a" will add
no codicil to my will but should you
ever meet with your unhappy sister, on
aught of hers, render them what assis-
tance you think necessary. know
your honor, your integrity, your virtue
my son therefore do not fear"
Lillias had bent her head upon her
clasped hands during this recital, which
her unfettered curls concealed. Lord
Claremonte put back the wet tresses
from her temple, and gently drawing
one hand away from her tear-bathed
face, linked the choice circlet upon her
fair arm, and, scaled it with a kiss
and with evident agitation, said
This know. My mother has on.
like it. Loye---aurel.--the motto and
emblem of our house. And now,--
now, Lillias, will you be to me As the
sister have lost Ian only one---and
how We loved her J"
81 will will !" sobbed the agita-
ted girl. "And now, Lord Clare
mont, go with ME to yonder church
yard, and | will lead you to that sisters
grave---my mothers lowly resting
place---a hallowed spot"
lie arose, and drawing the hand he
held within his arm, proceeded thither
Wild vines and flowers were there, all
around that beautiful place. Clarence
pushed aside the branches and the
blossoms, and bent over the lone grave;
and the brothers, and the daughters
tears fell upon the pale pail Of bloom
and perfume that shadowed it over.
My sister, the daughter of Lord
Claremonte, should not sleep here"
broke from his proud heart.
"And why, sir Is it not as fitting a
place as the cold cemetery of thy faith
ers 7 Is there one that loves this spot
rs | do Then remove her not my
mother is near me take her not away.
Say-say that you will not p
"No, Lillias, your request is sacred
Much as ! might wish it, it shall not
be. But my mother
Bear back to that morning moth
er's arms daughter she will forget
the one she has lost"
And real smile ill.mined the lip
Of Lillias f; and then he remembered
her words ofyesterday, and shook hi.
head despondingly.
90 Clarence" were the imploring
words of his lovely niece, "leave not ,
crushed heart here to tell the place
whe ere your footsteps have been =
Leave not its hali-hushed music-strings
to bleed, and wither, and perish, when
one single breath Of yours would cal
forth the sweetest strains of minstrelsy
for yourself. The heart-harp Heaven
might not disdain."
81 do not understand you, Lillias."
And he leaned against a willow, and
bent his eyes to the GROUND IN thought.
"Rose lOrcs voui Can you, Lord
Clarence, desplse the offering Of her
pure and peerless hearll ] am betray-
Ing No confidence I am revealing no
secret conliJed to me but / know this.
] know that Rose loves you though
she knows not am aware of the fact.
Perhaps have done wrong to intrust
her delicacy TO your keeping but /
know that your noble nature is the
home Of true greatness, true nobility,
and Of the most unexceptionable hon
or. VIII you not win-will you not
wear the Rose of Newport as your
bride ?"
'Lillias you have asked too much,"
returned Lord Clarence, in a softcned