The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-23
NO. 312.

. scsro. But il tc0s q shock when letter arrived
from Dir. Seymour tho elder, announcing that
he was quito weary Of his sons extravaganza
and idleness, and not disposed To support him
in it; that the bills forwarded 10 him for pay
, ment were no affairs Of his and that ho shOuld
not hold himself at all responsible for debts
not Of his contracting
With the Lindleys the name of the discard
cd lover--the successful husband-was never
mentioned Grace Acknowledged b herself,
that she had been uni ust in believing that her
: parents would do all in thcr power tO make
her think i'll of him. Sometimes a feeling OF
regret vt their wilful, defiant union-a moment
AIRY sorrow for the deception practced on those
who loved her--would cross her mind bat she
stifled it Immediately. The decd was done, she
thought and II was too late now for repent
anoo
She Was sitting at tho piano ono morning
trying somo new music; hcr father, from
other part Of the room, regarded her with at
tention. Lovely 10 any gaze, in his she Gas
supremacy so; his eye took in many little pecu-
liarities unnOtced by others, and his imsg gina
ton invested her With every feminine and
lcharming attribute Looking Mt her now
radiant ia health and beauty he recalled the
pale, sp,rltloss girl Of y few months previous
and feeling OF gratitude and tenderness came
over him. !io walked "a her side and draw
ing tho pretty head to hs bceom, kissed the
glowing check she looked up aIfecsons,cly in
his face
All, could hc have guessed the trCaehsry
hidden beneath that open brow, those smiling
eyos
"Grsce" he said, moved by a sudden inn
puiso, chow is il about that young Seymour
Are you going b forget him, after all ~
, She turned away crimson with shame Do
not name him, dear papa she said he il all
to me that he ever will be- The poar father
reioiced at these docoitful words rejoioed that
sho had conquered her misplaced affecslon
"A noble spirit" was his thought; 81 il has
struggled long, and suffered much, but il hss
gained tho victory"
4 TRACES conscience tainted her with the
ialsehood, but she would NOT listen. q" 10 is 80
sho said again and again " he newer UiH I've
more TO me than mo is now not to blame
for the way in which nay words are taken
spoke only the exact truth f" and conscience
; was sienced FOR time MIR Lindley's man
n ner during tho remainder Of the day strength
q oned anew that spirit Of opposition which had
begun to fail within her he seemed 30 happy,
0 so like one relieved from a great care. His
D kindness toward herself only cunt Uttered this
, feeling
ooh, yes" she said, "is IL very easy for him
TO be pleasant now, when he fanoiss have
given up everything In compliance with his
will'
CHAP "
, The room was large, and we'll ghted white
, Mlndow-ourtains aud bei-drapery gave it the
air OF purity which belts u maiden's chamber
Without, the wind swept furiously through
the streets, and the rain fell in torrents
( Upon the bed lay Fanny Allwrd One need
but look at her. 10 SEQ that her life was almost
, over. Her face was oolorless ~ the pillow on
] which it rested, and she was much emaoated ;
but from tie wan cheek and pnksn eye beam
u ed aholy, spiritual beauty Grace sst a. the
bedside.
a What a terrible STORM" said Fanny, rails
f ing her hoad ~ a blast of unusual violence
e shook the house. " IL seems strange that in
r a day or two shall be beyond the reach Of the
!; widest tempost-no matter how horcsy the
i wind blows shall not hear ID then"
o "Do not talk 30" returned her companion ;
Y 81 cannot bear il. The osso ia not % hopeless
il you may recover vet"
o "No, Grace, you do not think so, even while
d you speak you know shall never leave this
I, room, except for my grave Don't cry, dear, il
o IL better SOL am glad TO have il w. Perhaps
10 may have wished To live, in the hope of do
mg something 10 redeem my wasted timo but
u when see the temptations, tho danger Of fall
ing, feel how kind liz the Providence that re.
e, moves INC now"
% at is 80 terrible TO die" said Grace, to
t go from all We know and love, into dark, I'm
y certain future Have you no dread Of what il
a TO come Fanayl"
o None whatever---it Ia not dark, ncer-
l tain E,t, -, I.,t - 4
: ty think Of ID sometimes till almost fancy
y ] am there. How truly | feel, notc, that we
: have no abiding city hero '--that Heaven,
and that only, is our refuge and our hsme
Lilo WA pleasant 30 me, she continued was
very happy, in my frivolous thoughtless way
10 ~ all over now, and cannot recall the past
but it makes mo very sad to think Of the good
might have done, and did not | was ~ we'll
placed for making othcrs happy my parents
were ~ indnlgcnt, and ] had No much ut my
, disposal. Alas ii NIL went for my own graft
icatiOn.o
, "Do not reproaoh yourself" said Grace al
, AIN sure always thought you very kind and
, charitable to the poor.
A" ! thought 10 too it seemed quito morito-
rious to give away rille, that never even
missed. but that in not true charity that tx
not what our Saviour did for M, and not what
he expects us to do for others 1t seems to me
: now, that if were only we'll again--no mat
ter--it is useless to think of such thing II
any of my friends, YOU most of oil, dear
Grace, were benefited by my late example,
should ieol M if had not lived in vain"
Grace did not reply to this remark, for il
embarrassed her she was fond Of Fanny and
willing to listen to her conversation, but she
> did not wish that it should become ut MI per
; sonal Tho sick girl noticed her oonstraint
r and changed the subject
"My mind liz worry calm" sho said al can
not say IN some do that | fool prepared tn die,
such feeling is only suited to those whose liia
, has beon spent far different from mine. But
| have a perfect trust in the goodness and mercy
! Of God There is only ono thing that troubles
me, and Of that you nro able 10 relieve mo |
Iwant you to do IL for your own sake, ~ well
M mine. Promise me that you will"
:" do not know TO what you refer" said
T Grace, coldly
"To your marriago-that sad act Of disobe-
denoc. cannot forget that it was owing in
n great measure, 10 my management Ii |
had not arranged tho meeting with MIR. Soy
mour, we might now be free from guilt Dear
Grace, do not DO angry, If urge you to con-
fess everything to your father at once"
O. cannot--it is impossible do not ask me-
cried Grace, burying her faos in tho pillows.
"Why is it IMPOSSIBLE Your Gaihor may
DO angry at first but believe lao will forgive
You. And your mother
my mother is kindness itself; should not
dread 10 let her know But, Fanny, how shall
evcr dare 10 toll himf Ho will hate me and
derpso mo. IL il not 10 much the marriage,
though That is bad enough, but things that