Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-06-21

GA most unexpected and generous SER
vice." replied West, who, soltening down
the first portion of the scene we have de-
scribed, proceeded to recount 10 the fair
orphan the narrative Of the great crisis in
his destiny.
81 knew it was so !" cried the young la
dy, almost hystericaly affected 81 knew
he was not so grasping, SO hard-hearted, as
they said-as he himself pretended.
knew he had a generous heart beneath all
his seeming avarce Oh, you are not the
only one, doubtless, whom he has thus
served :"
West did not discourage the Huston
Nay, the enthusiasm of the charming wo-
man before him was contagious.
"Thanks 10 your fathers disinterested
| liberaity," he resumed, 81 am now in
comparatively prosperous circumstances.
| came not merely to discharge a debt
believe me, it is no common gratitude |
feel! Doubtless you inherit all your IA
theirs wealth doubtless il is but little SER
vice ! can ever hope TO render you yet l
venture TO entreat you never to forget that
you possess one friend of absolute devotion,
ready at all times to sacrifice himself in
every way to your wishes and TO your hap
piness."
West paused abruptly, for the singular
expression of the young lady's features fill
eC! him with astoniShment.
"You do not know, then" she began.
"Know what 20
"That lam a-natural child !" she
I lrC
away her head as she spoke, and covering
her face with her hands-'rhat am with
out fortune or relations that my father
died intestate; that the heir-at law, who
lives abroad, aud without whose permis-
sion nothing can be done-moreover, who
is said to be a heartless Spendthrilt-will
take all my father leaves; that | have but
one more week given me to vacate this
! house by the landlord in short, that |
must work if would not starve; that, in
a word, | am beggar!"
And the poor Girl sobbed convulsively;
whilst Bernard West, on whom this speech
acted as some terrible hurricane upon the
trees of tropical forest, tearing up, as it
were, by the roots, all the terrible stoicism
Of his nature, and rousing hopes and dreams
which he had long baniShed to the deepest
and most hopeless abySses of his soul
whilst Bernard, we repeat, ventured to
take her band in his own, and calm her
painful agitation by such suggestions as I'M
mcdiately occurred TO his mind.
Gin the first place." he said, 'my dear
Miss Brace, | come to repay to you your
fathers generous gift"
''lt belcags TO his legal heirs. cannot
receive it with HONOR" said the money
lenders daughter firmly.
"Not so," replied West, gravely; it was
a free gift 10 me. lrepay it by natural,
not legal obligation y and he laid the two
twenty pound notes upon the table,
"NeXt," he resumed, 81 have to pay Q
debt Of gratitude l owe my life to your
father. Thus, in a manner, / have to be-
come his adopted son. Thus" he contin-
ued, impetuously, 81 have right to say 70
you, regard me as brother; share the pro-
duce Of my labor; render me happy in the
thought that am serving the child of my
benoiac'or. To Gisdain my gratitude would
be a cruel insult"
81 cannot d.sdoin it," exclaimed the
daughter of the usurer, with a sudden inn
pulse Of that sublime confidence which a
noble and generous soul can alone inspire.
"Ies-l accept your assistance :"
The face Of Bernard frightened up, as il
by an electric agent. Bet how were the
two children Of sorrow coniounded by the
discovery that they were no longer alone
and that their conversation had been over
heard by an utter stranger, who, leaning
against the wall at toe farther end of the
room, near the door, appeared to survey
them with an utter indifference TO the pro
priety OF such behavior.
He was a man Of between forty ant
fifty years; a great beard aud moustach,
concealed the lower part OF swagthy bu
handsome Countenance of rare dignity anC
severity Of outline. His dress was utterl,
un-English. a vast mantle with q hood
fell nearly to the ground, and be wor
huge courier's boots, which were sill
, splashed, as if from journey. His grea
= dark eyes rested with an expression q
, royal benev0lence upon the two youn
", people, towards whom he advanced with
courteous inclination, that as if magneti
. cally, repressed Brrnard's first indignan
>. impulse.
81 am the heir-at-law," he said, in
4 mild voice, as il he had been announcin
I a most agreeable piece of intelligence.
"Then, sir" said Bernard, IL trust
g "Trust absplutelyw interrupted quickl
IS the foreign looking beir. "Aiy children
5 do you know who | am No? ] will te
you. am a monster, who, in bis you'll
d preferred beauty to ambition, and glory
b gold. For ten years after attaining man
e hood | struggled on, an outcast from m
4. family, in poverty and humiliation, with
: out friends, and often without bread. A
= the end OF five more years | was grei
If man, and those who had neglected, an
Y starved and scorned me, came to bow dow
i and worship. But the beauty had adore
was dust, and the fire of youthful hop
Il quenched in the bitter waters of scfenc,
II For ten years since have wandered owe
ss the earth. / am rich; may say m
wealth is boundless for I have but