Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-07-17
CHAPTER XVI.


What strange aud :uscrutable proaie,n-what
an unfathomahle cngme--are the striking inc
qualities. the wide and caprcious, the contrastS
Of hfel To one. all is perpetually smooth and
brilliant untajnted by a breath OF misfortune,
without shadow Of disappointment. To another,
it is the aCcurscd and barren groand, the sweat
of the brow. every step struggle, every expert
ence a disaster. One is given a summer day, ri
sing. like phoebus in soft and subdued light cX-
pantng into dazzling sunshine setting TRANQUILITY
in beauteous and mellow radiance. Another is
the tossing sea the dark, tempestuous, and low
ering sky-thc rushing of foam covered waves
the Ecarse roar OF breakers--the wreck dashed on
rocks!
Poor Nilicent! Her lot had, indeed, heen
cast in a drv place, far from refreshing waters!
She buried her head on her pillow III passion
of despair. What shame. what disgrace, was she
doomed to suffer !--undesewedlv innocentty!
Burning tears, wrung blood from her heart,
streamed down her cheeks. Her throat Qnivered
with haif-suppressed sobs and for once, her in
nate selr-rclarnce appeared completely to fail
| How could she face Mrs Grantly ?-hoW meet the
| ignominy awaiting her?
! That appearances. as they would be represented
| BY Jacintha, were greatly against her, was un-
misunderstanding, in the most favorable inter-
probation, TO gross and inexcusabe breach Of
propriety, committed under circumstances pecu-
! iariv scaudalous Such was the conclusion they
would inevitably suggest and though. IN point Of
! fact, the rcfutation was in her own hands, she
! could not make the 3 atenent necessary to eXcul-
! patton. as it would if rendered Ineligible, be a
| betrayal of Helen.
Incessantlv the same harrassing, thought, the
same dread fears aud gloomy forebolinSs. slnote
! hewidercd. DISTRACTED her. Ruin, in its most
| hideous form--despalr, in its widest aspect
seemed to stand before her. Unsuitable, pitilcss--
! claiming her as their rightful prey. Too often
had she looked forward with fond hope, SO often
battered herself with anticipations and presAges
OF the future; and now, in one fatal moment, he.
expectations, her bright and treasured dreams
were to van 81 forever, as the sparks fly upward
She had seen too much of Mrs Grantley's strict
views and ,niexible prime pies 10 have any donht
that such woald be the case and, abandoned by
her. she saw herself cast again on the world
friendless and destitute as at first.
Yet. no, She possessed, even in this crue, ant
desperate situation, one mighty hope-one towe
of refuge-oae source of strength, which she hat
not then Desolate as she might become, with
ont kindred, without home, she was no ionge
without God.
The thought gave her courage. Her tear
continued to flow, indeed, but they welled u
more gently, with less and less bitterness. Pro
found as was her sorrow, she could hear tn,
whispers of Faith, soft and low as .Eollan chords
soothing md inspiring her. ..-.-
She opened the window and looked forth, find
ing genial influence in the universal Stiffness
Huge clouds had come up with midnight, like
dismal pail, enve,oping both sky and stars; hu
moonlight still cleaned forth-not, indeed, as be
fore. in calm and silverv flood, but in expirin:
flashes, 6tful and faint. Yet the same profoun,
repose everywhere regned. Not breath o