Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-04-27

ance in the literary world under the name Of
! Alice Carlisle, and who had become very popu.
lar in the public prints, but still kept her name
ineog.
When Ilalwood had finished reading be ex.
claimed. sis not that beautiful How pure and
elevated the thoughisl Do you not think she is
a fine writer, Maryl"
"Why, yes, pretty good" replied Mrs. Hal
wood, with seeming indifference, ana turning
away busted herself with book before her.
Halwood felt disappointed and panied; he sat
for few moments humming short tune; and
throwing down the book arose and wended bis
way to his office. "llow sIupid," he muuered
as he walked along, "not to see the beauties Of
such production as that OH that Alice Car
Isle was my wife! Then should be happy
man-then there would be a congeniaity oflho'I
and feeling"
He entered his office, but his thoughts were
not there. He tried to dissipale his feelings by
looking over and arranging his papers, but sill
his mind would wander TO the fair authoress, and
then he would compare what his Imagination
pictured herto be, with his wife, and he felt more
dissatisfied than ever. He made every inquiry,
and took every measure that prudence would
admit, to ascertain who she was, but all 10 no
purpose.
Time wore on, but brought no relief TO the
mind Of Charles Halwood. Since the day of
which we have spoken he never mentioned Al.
ice Carlisle TO his wife, or spoken of her wri-
tings-but he had eagerly deyoured every arli-
Gle of hers that had appeared. He spent but
Illte Time at home, and appeared reserved and
silent in his wife's presence.
AT length he broke through all restraint, and
resolved 10 address her by her fictitious name,
through the medium of the post office. Accor-
dingy, he penned short note, speaking in very
high terms of her talents, as a writer, express
ing strong desire 10 become acquainted with
her, and ended by begging her to grant him an
interview. He dropped his note in the post Of
flee and anxiously awaited reply; nor did he
wait long for soon he received The following
note:
"Mr. HaIwood-Dear Sir: received your
note Of this morn, and am grateful for the com.
Plimentary 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
dressed in quaker garb; turn and walk with
her and you will have the privilege of convers.
ing with ALICE CARLISLE"
When Halwood had read the note, he laid il
on the table, and'for moment his better Judge.
ment told him that he had already proceeded
too far in this affair, and conscience whispered,
"Beuer sit with your wife this eve, whom you
have sworn to love and protect" But he did
not listen to the voice of conscience; an oppor-
tunty offered TO crafty his desire and he resov.
cd to improve it. He had taken the first step
from the path Of rectitude, and it was easier 90
ing forward than backward.
| Evening at length came, and Halwood waited
with lmpatience for the hour TO arrive for him TO
60 forth 10 meet the QuakereSs, for such he be.
lieved her to be, He had spent his evenings of
ate at his office, and being wholly unacquaint-
ed 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 wrap
ped himself up in his CLOAK, and drawing his
hat closely over his forehead, proceeded with
hasy steps towards NJ street. 1t wss
dimly lighted, and there being none but dwell
ing houses upon it,, there were but few passing
back and forth. He walked up and down the
street few times; still no one appeared that he
could recognise as the object OF Ills search, and
he began to think that he was the subject of
some trick, when turning suddenly around, he
observed a slight figure before him, wearing the
close Quaker bonnet and cloak. lie approach
ed her and was somewhat surprized thai she i'm
medlatey 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
llfe-told her of the uhhappness he experience
ed in having companion who was not possess.
ed Of a mind congenial with his own: then
spoke in glowing terms of the beauties of her
productions upon which he had so long dweIt
and bitterly lamented that he had not found
such an one with whom to spend his days. The
lady seemed somewhat agitated and rather si-
lent at first, and appeared inclined to keep her
face hidden in her Quakeress hat, so as not 10
give Halwood view of it. After some hesita-
ton she told him that she had loved him in Sc
cret--that he possessed the warmest affections
of her 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 be u.
nited-and that it was love TO him alone that
had made her what she was, writer Halwood
listened 10 her with breathless silence; busy
thoughts ran over the associations of his form
er years, but he could select none to whom he
could apply the character of the lady before
him. He caught sight of her face as they pas.
sed street lamp. There was striking famll-
lar look in it, but he could reccollect of none
possessed of SO much sweetness and beauty
True he had only hasty glance, yet in that
one look, he thought he discovered marks of a
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
lsave the city with him-go TO a distant city
there become his wife and then sail for for
eign land, where they could dwell together in
obscury, and enjoy each others society undis.
turbed.
AT first she appeared shocked at such propo-
sal, and spoke of his wife whom he would leave
behind broken-hearled; also the disgrace with
which he wouId he looked unon hv tho world a,