The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-11-02
CONCLUSION.

Not many days after the scene We have de-
scrbed in Mordaunt's office, he met by Wiley
at the house of Mr.. Goldman, who was still an
invalid. Wiley exerted himself more than usual
to shine in the conversation that evening" and his
apparent warmth of feeling nearly surprised Nor
daunt into an inward acknowledgement that he
had wronged this mans nature; that it might pos
sess some of the finer traits hitherto lying beneath
or beyond the observation of the world. By i'm
perceptibe degrees, and with consummate art he
led the conversation through many tributary
streams into the channel that suited his purpose.
Pride of birth and station had been touched
upon lightly, and Wiley had maintained that the
aristocracy of intellect the only true aristocra
cy-the one that would, sooner or later. be uni
versaly acknowledged and respected. There was
something noble, he said in the efforts of young
man to rise above the misfortunes of his early life.
But no honest man should be ashamed of his par
entage.
| To his propositions, deferentally stated, and
| skilfully reasoned, he gained the assent of even
| the aristocratic Mr.. Goldman.
But said Wiley. glancing keenly towards
Mordaunt, suppose that in addition to his power
| ty dark stain rested the family of a young
man, and concealing all knowledge of the circum-
stances of his early history, he should strive to in
gratate himself into the favor of his superiors and
attant their skirts with the blackness that cuug to
his own.'
Il know such one, he continued, who even
aspires to the hand of young lady far above him.
He has partially succeeded n impressng her with
the belief that he is man of noble sentiments and
qualities that his impulses and aspirations are like
her own, that his genius, talents, and acquire
ments a fair offset to her possessions and
proud name, and that alliance with him would
secure to her happiness and peace. He hides
from her his history, which he would fain bury in
the oblivion of The past; he hides from her the
truth that his name would bring dishonor upon her
and those connected with her by the dearest ties
he hides from her that he is seeking this marriage
to gid over that name that has been stained with
a dreadful crime; in short, he hides from her the
fact that his father persisted iguominously
upon the scaffod Is this honorablel'
1t was not till after the words died away thai
the spirit felt their reptile influence.
Constance had answered. No. it is not honor
able before this influence was perceptble on her
self. She observed the eye of Wiley fixed stead
ly on Mordaunt, who was seated at her side, anC
an impulse which she could not resist urged hel
to turn and look upon him.
As she did so, she met bis glance, and her owl
was riveted. as by fascination. Never had she
seen the face of man of such marble paor-
Never had she witnessed such an expression o
r sternness and despair any human countenance
y And yet. flashing through this sternness and des
l. pair there suddenly kindled, burning ray
quick, bright and fierce, as the meteor of dar
d night. In that momentary communion of glances
d history was revealed which volumes might no
o contain.
: You have seen the lightning instantaneous
3 opening the gates of midnight, while stretching be
youd seemed interminable fiery streets, glimpse
Q of the eternal land. So ofimes the lightning
n strong emotion discloses the mysterious depths {
the SOUL that city Of our God whose length an
:, breadth no guagers wand has ever measured.
b For. one moment the face Of Constance wa