The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-09-08
WHOLE NUMBER 12o

Walter. This morning Mr.. Clifton made
me an offer of his hand and heart, and L
rejected him."
Rejected him." cried both in amaze
ment
II rejected him." cried Alice grave
ly; land dear mcthcr, and dear John,
if you both will consent, l wish from this
day to be considered the future wife OF
John Morrison"
Il" Alice, why is this ?" exclaimed
Mrs. Dempster, who was naturally at
first in favor of the rich husband.
"My Alice" cried John, " this is
too much happiness"
"Why is this :" repliedAlice earnestly;
" because John is generous and good,
andWalter treats you as an incumbrance
and bore. declare to you, mother
dear, that I now love John as much
more than I do Walter, as [ love you
better than stranger"
"But speak, dear Alice" cried the
enraptured young man, "explain all
this"
cit is our mother who shall judge"
replied Alice; Il will now recall two
conversations now clearly fixed on my
memory, word by word, but only one of
which / shall recollect after this morn
ing"
She then related, word for word, what
had passed between her and John, and
afterwards the scene between her and
Walter in the gig.
81 have begged you to ride alone with
me-" said Clifton, warmly, that | may
pour out my feelings to you. l love
you, dearest, with all my heart and soul.
L wish you to share my fortunes-to be
my wife at once-immediately. My
friends have already consented your
mother has limited her gladness to ac-
quies ce-we wait your consent"
Walter" replied Alice with down.
cast eyes, before you go any further,I
have something to say to you which may
change your sentiments. | have a
mother, who, if alone in the world, she
has nobody to love or nurse her; as long
as she lives, | can never leave her. She
has for many years been my devoted
nursc-wherever go there must she
be -
Cob! but this is nonsense, Alice,"
cried Walter instantly 81 have got
enough of old people at home. I mean
to travel year or two in France and
Italy, and return only when 1 come into
my property"
" Then, Walter Clifton, said Alice,
raising her her head, and speaking firmly,
" | never can be your wife you must
seek some one differently situated to
myself. No! Mr.. Clifton, would not
leave my mother for one l have loved
for years, much more for one have
known only month"
" But every one parts from their
parents when they marry" said Walter,
pettishly. " You must be mad on one
hand, young, and fond, and rich hus-
band, and all the pleasures of CONT
mental life, of Paris, of Italy; on the
other, dull home, alongside an old
ailing woman, with the prospect of being
the wife of sprig of clerk, perhaps,
like John Morrison"
Enough, Mr.. Clifton" replied Alice,
firmly and almost angrily; " if now you
were to consent thousand times to all
I could ask, | would not become your
wife,"
GO You never loved me-" said Walter,
whose anger was reused almost to frenzy.
"I never did 1 was dazzled for
awhile, because l knew you not. I saw
you handsome ard agreeable, and SEEM
ngly generous. But, pardon me, such
observations come with very ill grace
rom me. We Can still be friends.''
Friends!" laughed Walter, fiercely,
not |, idiot that l was to believe in
voman's love-in girls, I mean-not
woman's-who has not got over map-
ny's Sickness"
" You forget yourself, Mr.. Clifton )"
aid Alice, with smile of pity.
And now, mammal" asked she,
fter she had repeated both conversations
Eith scrupulous fidelity, =" do you ap-