Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-11-09

riding in his carriage with his wife and
child through the streets of populous
city. sped after them, I shouted, i
ran, iesticulated like mailman; and az
last, when / saw them pass from my
sight. my disappointment was SO intense
that L fell upon the earth IN strong con-
yulsions A fit of illness followed, which
nearly deprived me of life. l arose from
my bed gloomy. morose and miserable
man. / determined to cease 10 seek re-
venge, and % enjoy it doubly if it ever
came to me. But death snatched from
me my prey. and my hope of satisfaction
was quenched forever. / Stunned all
society, and in my weary wanderings 1
discovered the site where / now live
There / built me habitation.
changed my name, and with my uncouth
dress and stern manners, / sought TO
make men hate me, even as hated the
world. My business affairs / placed in
the hands of a trusty agent, though, as
my wealth had no longer any pleasure
for me, have scarcely touched a sous
oft save to procure me the necessaries
for my wretched existence.
You, Alice, were the first gleam OF
light that crossed my path. Your blue
eyes and beautiful hair reminded me for
chilly of my own lost little one, and ava
kened once more in my breast emotions
which imagined had died out forever
My affections were aroused again, and
have poured them in their gushing full
and comfort TO one of whom you knew
nothing, save that he was an humble and
solitary Old man. God bless you, dar-
ling-the mystery ofmy life is lain bare
to you now"
As her companion ceased speaking
Alice threw herself sobbing, upon hi:
breast.
Alasl my more than friend" she
exclaimed, much as l sympathise with
you in your past suffering. can but re-
gret that have won from you that con
tidence which must henceforth put an
end to the unfettcred friendship which
has so long existed between us. Know
ing your rank, how can henceforth up
proach you with the familiarity of old
Knowing you are titled, how con 1 eve
again address you by the humble name
of Harvey Hale ?"
"Nay, my sweet child" said the ole
man, lifting up her bright hand, "let all
continue as heretofore between US. J
have not told you what my title was, ant
as 1 may never again assume it, forge
that4 ever possessed one. Address m,
still as Harvey Hale, and for my sake let
no act of yours betray to others what
have this day told to YOU
Drying her eyes. Alice promised com
pliance, and they rose to commence thei
homeward walk, when the sound of vol
ces coming from the other side of th'
rocks arrested their attention.
dear Lena |" said manly tone Ga:
if in continuation of some subject already
broached) which they instantly recogni
zed as Roberts. Z" this explanation j
scarcely necessary to tell you of the low,
which have so long cherished for you
Has not every moment of our acquain
tance been frasght with the deepest in
I rest ? Is it strange that it should en'
in this wild passion of love Be mine
Lena. and if the first absorbing love of
warm heart can make you happy you wi
be supremely So"
i" First Iope, Robert ?" questioned tn
smooth voice of Lena. " Do you no
forget your cousin Alice Freeland, in thi
| assurance 2?
"No." returned the young man, afte
slight pause, 81 have never loved Alic
| beyond brothers love. If she wer
questioned this moment. she could not sa
ever asked her as bride. To you
I dearnest, is this knee bent in such HON
age for tue first time in my life. Promis
me that may hope. Tell ME / may b
happy in your love-"
The reply of Lena was so low, as tn
speakers passed on, that it did not reec
the ears OF their unwilling listeners, an
Alice for moment leaned heavily upo
the arm of her companion. Lifting he
head again, she displayed to the kee
eye of Harvey face. which though pal
as marble, wore smile upon it as sh'
exclaimed in a husky tone
+" You see he has never loved me-
Foolish heart of mine, how has it decei
we'd itselfl"
Harvey made no rcPl., and they slow
ly proceeded round the rocks, cndeavor
ing to conceal themselves from the part
which they felt assured must be on III
island, from the sound of their merry yoi
ees, which now and then reached them.
After a walk which had been render
ed long by the circuitous path they ha
taken, they reached that point where th
shallowness of the stream permitted th
old man to safely ford the stream. Her
he again lifted Alice in his arms. an
passed rapidly towards the mainland.
At that moment, boat shot round Ii
curve of land. containing six persons =
Robert and Lena. the Misses Manly, LoT
Melville, and Miss Tauleton. As the
! came in sight of the strange figure
Harvey, with the psllid face of his eharg
resting against his broad breast. Robe
! uttered an explanation OF surprise. ar
! a.keh II they had been seen before