Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-11-16

lONtu 20 Jar upon your leellnssss dear 2At-
ice. and. if You desire it. you shall be as
secluded here as AT your own solitary
home. n at
=. You had better accept lhis.' said
Harvey, after few moments of deep
thought. :. You viii at least be better
there than here Rop. When / return.
there may, perhaps. be different arrange
ments made.' llsN '-S
obedientto the suggestion OF him, who.
next to her mother, had ever been her
friend. Alice promised to comply. Her
preparations were soon made. and taking
old Lucy by her side, she with many tears
bade Harvey adieu, and was borne TO her
new home. 17aa ssl'- tai
Lena met her with every manifestation
of pleasure, and led her, with words of
warm welcome on her lips TO the parlor-
Here, the first person who met her
sight was the man who had insulted her
on the island. As their eyes met, chill
ling bow on the part of Alice, and hot
flush on his lordship's cheek, were all
the signs of recognition between them.
Mr.. Norris, the young minister was al
so there, and he advanced to meet the
beautiful orphan with graceful and im-
pressiye cordiality, and Alice met his
sympathising glance with eyes full OF
tears. ar
Mrs. Forrest had invited him to make
her house his home until the parsonage
could be put in readiness for him-an in
vitation which he had accepted with as
much graceful cordiality as it had been
given.
The night after Alice's arrival at Mrs.
Forests. Lena hastened TO conide to
her that Lord Melvillee had proposed for
her hand, and that she expected in a
short time to become his bride.
' If he takes me away TO England, AL
ly, you must go with me and always be
my little sister,"
Alice made no reply, and refrained
from telling her friend of the incident
which had first made her acquainted
with the nobleman, and which rendered
her now desirous of stunning his pre-
seuce.
One morning. few days after Alice's
instalment at the Widows servant
brought card to Mrs. Forrest. bearing
the simple name of Mr.. We're, and stated
that the gentleman waited in the drawing
room below.
On descending to the room, the widow
met tall, dark man, clad in a style ofper-
feet neatness and simplicity, and his whole
aspect stamped with the bearing of gen.
tleman. His eyes were keen and black,
and their first glance was so piercing. as
the lady it, that she cast her own upon
the floor. His hair was of a jetty black
ness, almost surprising in one whose face
bore the marks of many years.
81 was once, madam" said he, speak
ing in slow, distinct manner, 1.-The inti-
mate friend of your husband. We were
schoolmates, many years ago, when we
were boys. Knowing his widow resided
here. made it a point to call upon her
during my short stay in your village"
"The fact of your having once been
my husbands friend" replied the widow,
with one of her most gracious smiles. zen
titles you at once to my friendship and
my hospitality. Pray. sir, if you intend
to make any stay in our village, make my
house your home during this PERIOD
Mr.. We're bowed with great dignity, and, /,
after moments thought, replied
"As am something of an invalid. and
shall remain but little while in. the place.
L will accept your offer, madam. with
pleasure" H-
Mrs. Forrest expressed her pleasure at
his decision, and conversation turned up
on the past incidents in the life of the two
school-fellows, and the circumstance at
tending their friendship. Mrs. Forrest
dwelt upon some points in the character
of her late husband. that deadly pallOr
overspread his countenance, and he seem
ed struggling to conceal some rising agi-
tation.
"On the WHOLE" said she, afterwards,
when speaking of him with Lena and Al
ice, {" l think him very strange man !;
but, for my husbands sake, l suppose /
must endeavor to entertain him."
Alice, on the plea of headache, excu-
sed herself during the day from making
one of the party in the drawing ROOM
With all the weight of her recent sorrow
upon her, she felt no desire to meet with
strangers, or mingle in scenes Of gayety.
When evening came, however, she left her
chamber and concluded, from the silence
in the parlors, that the guests had gone
for their usual ramble, she entered the
soS1 tOoA1SS ahu' CiaSPH45 "SA
fore her. walked slowly up and down the
floor. Suddenly, on raising her eyes she
beheld reflection in the mirror before her
the tall. dark figure of a man, who. mo-
tiOnless as a statue, seemed gazing intent
ly upon her. She turned suddenly, with
cry upon her lips. but the stranger ad-
vanced toward her with a smile of most
kindly greeting. and extending his band.
said
" have frightened you most uninten-
tiOnally. This. presume, is Miss Free
land. of whom Mrs. Forrest, spoke at din
ner? am Mr.. We're. Let US be friends. Z"
Alice took the hand so cordially exten-