The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-11-02
RAVENNA, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2, 1873.

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as the blood follows the stroke Of the lancet, the
warm current rushed over her cheek and brow
1t was like the breaking up of an ice bound
stream when the waves leap from their prison
bonds, or rather with reverence we use the COM
parison(, like the miracle of Cana, when the hue
less water owned its God and blushed.'
Mr. Goldman, whose easy chair was placed
little back from the group. and who beheld not the
emotions we have described, repeated with
emphasis the words of Constance
No, 1t is not honorable. 1t s not pardonable.
could pity, nay, esteem the young man who,
making no secret of his misfortune. endeavored to
make himself an uubemished fame. But never
would forgive the one who deceived my confidence
and tried to introduce into my family dishonored
name. Who is the young man of whom you
speakiDg?'
I, sir, am that unfortunate man. exclaimed
Mordaunt, to the astonishment of Wiley, rising
from his seat, and turning towards Mr.. Goldman;
: but have never sought to deceive the confidence
of my friends. l have merely been silent on a
misfortune for which sympathy has no balm, and
friendship no relief. acknowledge that in scenes
far from my native home have endeayored to
forget that bore dishonored name, and to make
for myself irrepronchable reputation. But it
for no foul, deliberate crime that my unhappy
parent was doomed to a death of shame. The
victim of dark and inscru,able destiny, he left on
the minds of all who knew him conviction of his
Innocence as clear and ineffaceable as if the testi
mony were written with diamond pen on a
tablet of crystal.
8 This gentleman, with penetration which does
more honor to his head than his heart. has dis
covered the secret, which have guarded from no
mean or unworthy motives. Why he has taken
this opportunity to disclose it, in manner the
tortures the Inqustion could not have surpassed
he alone knows.'
i mentioned no names,' cried Wiley, evidently
Disconnected by the undaunted frankneas of Nor
daunt; if conscience has directed the application
1 neither claim the merit assume the blHme.'
Really, gentlemen, this most extraordinary
disclosure said Mr.. Goldman, turning pale from
the excitement Of his feelings; Il know not when
my nerves have received SO sudden and severe a
shock. Doctor Mordaunt, l have never met with
young gentleman whom have esteemed more
but these unfortunate circumstauces-you should
have made them known to me soouer. I am
placed in very distressing position.
Here he put his hand to his head with an air of
such pain and embarrassment that Constance i'm
mediately saturated her handkerchief with cologne
and bathed his forehead. She was glad of some-
thing to do in moment of such overwhelming
emotion. -=
Let me relieve you of the distress which my
presence occasions you, sir, cried Mordaunt
But before 1 withdraw would thank you for all
past kindness and confidence L rejoice in the
conviction That have not forfeited either by any
conduct of my own. Should you consider me re-
sponsible for an event which occurred in my early
childhood, and which no acts of my manhood could
change, and exclude me hereafter from your
whose justice nevertheless reason and religion
could never admit. Farewell, sir. l wish you to
reflect calmly this question, and whatever be
the result, gratitude for the past will be perma-
nent my life.'
With respectful bow to Mr.. Goldman, who
did not attempt to reply, and another still lower to
Constance, Mordaunt passed from the room with
out directing glance at Wiley.
With slow steps he traversed the long passage,
walking over PROSTATE pillars of moonshiue, white
and cleaning marble, thinking that of materials
as ghostly and unsubstantial his life-temple must
be built.
AS he opened the door, silver scaffod was
plainly defined upon the floor. He shuddered to
see his thoughts thus shaping themselves in the
night glory, when he was arrested by touch SO
light to be almost impalpable. At first he
imagined that the moon-beams were cleaning on
his in the form of fair and delicate hand, fol
there it the dark sleeve of his coat, just as
he had seen it months before in Kate OBrien's
countenance of Constance SO near that her breath
| sighed upon his cheek.
.ConstanceD he exclaimed.
1t was the first time he had ever addressed hel
thus. 1t was strange that while the revelation
made seemed to divorce him from mankind. il
drew him irresistbly closer toward her. At any
other moment he would have thought it presump
tion to have called her by her own noble and ap
propriate Christian name.
| Come into the conservatorya few moments,
said she, 'nnless you are willing to throw aside {
friend lightly the flower your foot is now
crushing
| A flower had fallen from the bosomot constance
under the feet of Mordaunt, who was unconcious
ly grinding it in the dust.
Il hope this is not prophetical,' cried Constanc'
in very low voice, looking on the defaced ant
manged blossom.
Mordaunt followed the steps ef Constance, lik
a walking in dream, back through the pas
sage, out into the still spleudor of the night dow
the granite STAIRS till he found himself in grotto
in the centre of which beautiful fountain wa
throwing up its sparkling. jets which decended il
the form of a weeping wow,with chrys'al bough
dropping peary tears in a marble reservoir
Imagination could not conceive Il more enchan
ting spot than this 'Fairy's Gfotto,' as Constanc
named it.
When her uncle erected the magnificent man
sion which he now occupied, he allowed her tast
to luxuriate there in all the prodigalty of natur
+ land all the refinement of art. Mordaunt had bee