The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-07-26

mentloned Alice carlisle to his wife, or
spoken of her writings-but he had eager
ly devoured every article of hers that had
appeared. He spent but little time al
home, and appeared reserved and Silent in
his wife's presence.
At length he broke through all restraint,
and resolved to address her by her fcti-
/ tious name, through the medium of the
| post office. Accordingly, he penned
short note, speaking in very high terms of
her talents, as writer, expressing strong
desire to become acquainted with her, and
ended by begging her TO grant him an in
terview. He dropped his note in the post
office and anxiously awaited a reply; nor
did he wait long for soon he received the
| following note: ia.
| 'Mr. Halwood-Dear Sir: | received
! your note of this morn, and am grateful
| for the complimentary manner in which
you have spoken of my writings. As
you earnestly request an interview, if you
will at seven o'clock this eve, walk in
NJ street, you will meet lady dress
ed in quaker garb; turn and walk with
her and you will have the privilege of
conversing with ALICE CARLISLE.
When Halwood had read the note, he
|
| better judgment told him that he had al
ready proceeded too far in this affair, and
conscience whispered, Better sit with
! your wife this eve, whom you have sworn
to love and protect But he did listen to
the voice of conscience; an opportunity
offered to crafty his desire and he re-
solved to improve it, He had taken the
first step from the path of rectitude, and
it was easier going forward than backward.
Evening at length came, and Halwood
waited with impatience for the hour to ar
rive for him 10 60 forth to meet the Qua
keress, for such he believed her to be-
He had spent his evenings of late at his
| office, and being wholly unacquainted with
! the inhabitants of the street chosen for
| their place of meeting, he felt no fear of
being recognized by any one during the
interview, or that it would be known to
his wife. He wrapped himself up in his
cloak, and drawing his hat closely over
his forehead proceeded with hasty steps
toward Al street. 1t was dimly light
ed. and there being none but few passing
back and forth. He walked up and down
the street a few times; still no one appear
ed that he could recognize as the object Of
was the subject of some trick, when turn
ing suddenly around, he observed slight
figure before him, wearing the close Qua
ker bonnet and cloak. He approached
her and was somewhat surprised that she
Immediately recognized him, although she
was an entire stranger to himself. He
| Joined her in her walk and entered into
conversation.
| He frankly confessed to her his situation
in life-told her of the unhappiness he
! experienced in having companion who
| was not possessed of mind congenial
with his own; then spoke in glowing terms
of the beautles of her productions upon
which he had so long dwelt and bitterly
lamented that he had not found such an
one with whom to spend his days. The
lady seemed somewhat agitated and rather
silent at first, and appeared inclined to
keep her face hidden in her Quakeress
hat, so as not to give Halwood view of
1t. After some hesitation she told him
! that she had loved him in secret-that he
possessed the warmest affections of heart
that ere he had led his bride to the altar,
she had looked upon him as the being
above all others with whom she wished to
alone that had made her what she was, a
writer. Halwood listened to her with
breathless silence; busy thoughts ran over
the associations of his former years, but
he could select none to whom he could ap-
| ply the character of the lady before him.
He caught sight of her face as they pass
ed street lamp. There was striking
| familiar look in it, but he could recollect
of none possessed of SO much sweetness
and beauty. True he had only hast
glance, yet in that one he thought he dis
covered marks of noble mind. He
found the object for which he had so often
| sighed, resolved to secure it while within
his grasp. He proposed that she should
leave the city with him-to go to distar {
city-ihere become his wife and then sal
for foreign land, where they could dwell
together in obscurity, and enjoy each others
society undisturbed.
| At first she appeared shocked at such a
proposal, and spoke of his wife whom he
| would leave behind broken hearted; ais
the disgrace with which he would be look.
ed upon by the world at large. But Hal
wood was eloquent in overcoming every
obstacle she could present; if he remained
| as he then was, he must be miserable and
| said his wife could not be more unhappy
! to have him leave her forever, than TO feel
daily that though he acted the part of a
husband, his heart was far from her. He
! hnally succeeded LII gaining her consent to