The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-12-12
PART IV.-Continued.
THE VICTIM BRIDE.

"a dream Ia on my soul!
see a sumberer crowned with flowers and smiling
As in delighted visions, ON the brink
W dread chssrn IL Hs,saas's FsspsrI Of Palermo.
"Reeina! my dearest sister! | am delighted
and--aaouaded to see you! Whence come you!
How come you? But here before you reply,
take this easy chair, and-give me your bonnet!
Place yourvleet upon this footsteol! Hog Soak so
weary You rode all night Who escorted you
Nay, do not answer! You look SO exhausted
4 * Cs fs a. -s,'' -. 2 70 ~ = ?
Wolfgang, my dear fellow but no! will run
myself"
1t was with something like this TRADE of ejacu-
latons of assonishment, joy love, and sOlicitude,
that received my sister, placed her in the loung
Ing chair, set cushion under her feet, and ran
off to order refreshments.
was absent some fifteen minutes and when
returned, followed by waiter bringing in coffee,
&c, and chambermaid to take Miss Fairfeld's
things and receive her orders found Wolfgang
standing by Regina's side, STOPPING over her with
a counteuance beaming with happiness his left
arm caressngly encirclng her shoulders, his right
hand clasping hers, and she no longer pale and
weary, but blushing with pride and pleasure, as
her radiant eyes were yelled beneath his ardent
glze He drew off as we entered, and each re-
sumed composure Regina arose with her accus-
toned stately self possession, and attended by the
chambermaid retired from the room to refresh
herself by change Of dress, saying to me, en- pas
SAINT, that might cOuntermsnd the waiter Of re-
freshments and, if we had not already breakfast
ed she would join us at that meal | said that we
had not, and she left u.s.
Breakfast for three was served in our parlor,
and in half an hour Regina entered, every vestige
of fatigue and discomposure fled from her counte.
nance and bearing, and she attired in plain but
rich morning dress of India muslin, looking beau
uful aud gracious as ever.
During breakfast made no inquiries concern
ing the motive of her extraordinary journey at
this particular time when she knew was soon to
return home. ! rightly conjectured that she had
somewhat lengthy explanation to make besides
which, the waiter was in attendance, and we could
have 10 confidential conversation in the presence
Of servant
When our meal was over, however, and when
the waiter had removed the breakfast service, set
the room in order, and retired, Regina seated
herself in the easy chair placed her feet upon
the fOotstool, summoned Walraven and myself to
her side, and in q calm voice and with composed
manner informed us that our guardian, using the
great power intrusted to him by our fathers WILL
had converted all our property into cash. and fed
with it to the West Indies that, too just ON the
eve of my majority when in few weeks he knew
he would be called upon to deliver up his trust |!
by this piece of unparalleled rascality we were
left-no, not "beggars," nor "peuniless," quite.
We might have between us, in pocket money,
Jewery, and personal appointments, some FIVE or
six thousand dollars--that was all
At first, was too completely stunned by the
news-not of our great loss, but of our guardians
great villany-to feel the real sharpness of our
misfortune
was astonished, also, at Regna's statuesque
repose. Could nothing on earth disturb that sove-
reign self-possession, that radiant serenity No;
nothing external or impersonal, it seemed, could
discompose her
turned in despair and looked at Wallraven
How would he receive the news of his friends
calamity When first turned my eyes full upon
him, taking him as it were by surprise, he looked
positively agog with joy had never seen any
exhibition Of triumph like that in him before
What did he mean? Before had time to ask
his obstreperousness was refined in, and his fea
lures forced into an expression Of gravity
Regina further informed me that she had avail
cd herself of the opportunity afforded by tn,
journey Of the Right Reverend Bishop L
who WAS travelling north to the Convention. I,
join her brother; that she had written to war;
me Of her approach-a letter which, by the way
! never received.
Miss Fairfield then excused herself, and left III
10 seek needfnl repose
AS soon as she had gone, Wolfgang, who hat
with diihcnlty restrained his excitement all thi
time, 'mpetnously threw himself down beside me
and, clasping me as If had been his sweetheart
exclaimed, vehemently-
NY brother! my heart command my utmos
powers and resources-command me! Half m,
iA'hers wealth is mine when demand tit i
yours when you want it!n
Ihank you, thank you, thank you. am no
overwhelmed by this misfortune dear Wolfgang
,1oOgh am in danger of being 80 by your whole
hearted goodnessn
ANA you will let me serve YOUR
Not to the fanatical extent or in the manne
WA, you propose, my dear Wsllravenl You ar
'''ed by this news even more than ! am M,
1ear, generous fellow, be quiet. As you perceive
1e'Aer my sister nor myself is driven mad b,
ms Misfortune. shall execute now plan tina
o''en thought of even in my days Of indspend
"'e and in doing so enter line Of life for which
nave at times had very strong inclination"
And what is thst2o
The Christian ministry! shall immedatel.
r'r'An every unnecessary expense, reduce m,
ing 70 the severest economy, convert all m.
r'S0nal effects that can possibly be dispense
WIN into cash. and commence course Of theolO
eieal readingp
r"ihe'd, you constrain my admiration
l'"e you, then, no painful regrets for the past
10 gnawing anxiety for the futurep
None for myselfn
You AstouisA me ~
"Butn
W.u