The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-16
For tho National Era.
"a STORY OF DOMESTIC LIFE
By cATHARINE LEDYARp.

CHAP uI-Continns1


Such was the man whom Grace loved Poor
girl, she was to be pitied, for she was deceived
and blinded, Seymour was handsome, and
could be eminently agreeable. He was accus-
toned to deceive, and it was very easy for him
to feign high and noble sentiments. Grace
knew little Of his reputation, save that he was
generally called wild young man and that
term conveyed to her mind nothing like the
tzue meaning She supposed he had been
reckless at college, rebellioas against the pro-
fessors, or, more recently, fond of late hours
aud gay companions She did not dream of
anything worse There were those among her
friends, so called, who might have enlightened
her, had they thought fit to do Sc ~; tae
"Hirtetion 50 speciality peesp,e serious affair,
that they forbofe all ntcr!orsnA. IN, .,n,,nk;ny it
too iai~ - Ne Of service. Mr.. Lindley mean
time was absent on business; Mrs Lindley
was not well, and went out but little leaving
Grace, wbere other superintendepce than her
own was required, entirely to tho charge of
chapprpns, '-'
Thew bod ~
-. Anown each other for month
perhaps, when Mr.. Seymour declared himself
and made an offer of his hand Whether he
he would have done So had Grace been poor
and unprotected cannot say he might then
have trusted wholly to the power of his own
attractions. am rather skeptical about the
existence of any good feeling in libertine
the love of such person, even when honor
able" cannot ! think, be anything very ee-
waited or refined. But Grace, as we have seen
knew nothing of his real character and when
he spoke of past errors, bitterly repented, and
OF her influence over all his future life she
thought him the most noble, the most candid,
OF human belngs-one who would not conceal
single fault, even to gain her affection. Be-
lieving thus, and loving him in return, it is no
wonder that she at once accepted him.
A few days after Mr.. Lindley's return, he
received letter, which surprised him exceed
ingy. Grace was instantly summoned to his
presence Blushing and timid, she entered
the room. Her father was standing at the
window, apparently contemplating the pros
pect. He turned hastily as she opened the
door,
Grace" he said, ~ have had letter, a
very singular letter, from Mr.. Henry Seymour
lG concerns you"
She stood still, her heart beating fast with
anxiety and alarm
sit down, child,D said Mr.. Lindey, +" and
don't look so frightened | am not going t.
hurt you. Is it true, as MIR. Seymour writes
that he has your sanction for his addresses
shall not believe it, unless you tell me 80 Your.
self"
Yes it is So" she answered
81 am very sorry to hear it" said her father,
kindly but decidedly, for can never con-
sent to your marrying him.
(nraca hard Int no rSl., ,aa,,oaJ to oor~x~a
bend his words "Never give your consent
And why!" she inquired
Because replied Mr. Lindley, ~ consider
that he is totally unworthy of you"
Unworthy of me +" she cried, scornfully
am !, then, something so very rare and pre-
cious?n
vrtuous woman; and do not intend that you
shall be thrown away upon base bad man
who would tire Of you in a month. Listen
Grace; don't get angry, but listen to me calm
ly. You think you love this man, but you are
mistaken. 1t is because you do not know
him, and fancy him altogether different from
what he is If you did know him, my child
you would shrink from his approach. He il
unprincipled and vicious to the last degree.
cannot see by what art he has succeeded in
uhkiDX you DellSVt niIu OtueTWlsc
Grace thus far listened calmly, rs her father
had requested, but she could bear it no longer
depressing with effort the indignant retort that
rose 70 her lips, she answered. He has used
no art whatever, papa; no deception has been
practiced upon me- Even when be said that
he loved me, he confessed that he had been
wild; but know him, love him, will be his
surety for the future"
H.. Ill. L. Il NJ
dear, do not wish to wound your feelings, but
| must tell you that it is no slight error of
which he has been guilty 1t is vice, and that
of the most sensual nature"
Grace crimsoned II do not believe il" she
said T" never, never will believe it,"
You will be compelled to do So returned
her father :" can bring proof the most une-
quivocal."
81 do not care for all your proof, inter-
rupted the young girl it is a Islander, base
SANDER He has been guilty of some errors,
some ansgressions--nOthing more And 30,
because the truth is not bad enough, you must
add to it, and exaggerate it and make him out
a monster of wiekednessn .
IL certainly have no interest in traducng
him, said Mr.. Lindley, with GOODNESS.
And even if he had been as bad as you
represent she went on is there no hope OF
his ever being otherwise. He loves me |
have the greatest influence over him He says
so, papa. lie told me 40 only short time
since
Mr.. Lindey smiled sarcastcally. q SO,
Grace he said, "you have got that chimera
into your head, have youl Ridiculous sim
ply ridiculous! | tell you, az did before, that
he would tire of you in a month. You would
be nothing more to him than a toy, to be cast
aside as soon az the novelty wore off Where
would your influence be then Hush don't
interrupt me-" ne continued seeing that she
was about to speak 81 know the man thor
oughly, and there is no hope Of his reforma-
ton. He is of the earth, earthly, and will re-
main So You do not believe this, now he is
handsome, and agreeable, and you are-in-
fatuated. SO be il. ] shall take care Of you,
since you will not take care Of yourself
shall write TO Mr. Seymour, declining his pro-
posals, and forbidding q renewal Of them. You
think this is horrible cruelty, no doubt; but a
few years hence you will thank me for it,
1t as cruelty" said Grace; "it is unfeeling
tyranny
VERY well, think az - llke about it, re-
turned Mr.. Lindley, NOV tkoroughly out Of
patience Z" since you reject all proof, and will
not listen to reason, you must be ruled by
force And tell you, once for all, that you
shall have nothing more TO do with Henry
Seymour"
You have the power, and must submit
said Grace She was quito calm; one would
have thought her Indifferent to all that had
passed. But what storm Of passion ragged
ia her bosom How terrible was the grief TO
which she gave vent 10 the solitude Of her own
room! There was tho agony Of dissppoint-
ment for she had hoped tor her fathers un-
qualified approval there was anger, indigna-
ton at the opprobrium heaped upon her lover !;
there was wounded vanity-had not the idea
Of her influence been sneered at and dsrided :
And worst Of all was the decree OF separa-
eternal ssparatim--from what