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

catch the fountains waters, hope struggling with
despair on her beautiful features, the hope that
her expiatory task might yet be accomplished. A
lovely Bacchante lifted her ivy crowned brow and
caught a silver crown upon its leaves. A Flora,
the embodiment of youthful beauty and grace. was
represented as scattering flowers the dewy
grass, and all these charming classical igures
reflected in mirror which constituted wall on
side, and the willowy fountain with its dia-
mond branches was reflected there also, and two
other figures seated side by side cast their images
on the illuminated sheet of crystal which multi
piled, as If by enchantment, the fairy scene.
Constance had thrown around her light scarf,
very airy in texture, but its color was silver gray,
and Mordaunt thought once more of the Evening
STAR But now its rays seemed setting instead of
rising on the horizon of his destiny.
i thank you for this las: act of kindness and
condecenson,' said Mordannt, regretting the next
moment that he had spoken at all, for it seemed
sacrilege to break the silence, rather the music
of the hour. But is it not cruel to bring here
that may feel the more fully and deeply what
fear l have forever lost?
why should any blessing, yours either in pos
session or 1n reversion, be lost to you now?' asked
Constance.
You know the curse that clngs to me and still
ask wlHS'
i have learned your misfortunes, and, though
nobly sustained as they have hitherto been, they
will to blessings at last. rejoice that you had
the moral courage TO yoursefthe object of Wi
ley's dark insinuatons. He is already bafaed,and
his malice will recoil on himself. And do you know
me SO little as to believe that the atons of this
night affect my esteem for you-that could
be SO unjust, cowardly, and unkind-thst L
could visit on the innocent the crime of the guilty
even ifthe guilt exist! But l have faith in your
fathers innocence, because you are his son.
have faith that it will yet be made known to the
world, dark as is the cloud which now rests upon
it,
Ten thousand blessings for this sublime taIth
exclaimed Mordaunt, his countenance kindling
with inspiration, and ten thousand blessings for
the confidence which has not been shaken by this
sudden blow. feel myself worthy Oft. and yet
would not take advantage of and expose you TO
the malicious observations Of the world. Wiley
will blazon abroad the stigma which brands my
name. By association, your own Will become
contaminated. Your uncle will sacrifice me to
the God of public opinion He has not the moral
strength to resist its influence. l should expose
YOU to his displeasure, and bring dissension into
now harmonious household
i should be unworthy of the blessings you have
ust breathed upon me, if were not willing to
brave the evils you are bringing in such dread ar
raw before me. o, if you knew how little care
for the opinion of the world, when concous OF right
IN my own heart, you would feel how inefficient
were your arguments, how sophistical your reas-
oning. The world as it is called, one true friend
would outweigh hundred fold in my estimation.
For my own safety, Constance, then be it. To
wish to be more than friend to you now would
be the madness of presumption, and yet SO madiy
presumptous am. Nay, so ungratetul, that the
friendship which short time ago valued as the
most precious gift of heaven, would now seem a
cake of stone to the prayer of a craving, hungry
| heart No. added he, with increased excitement,
I cannot accept intercourse on such cold terms
dare not ask it on any other. Therefore, must
leave you. l knew there gulf between
US, but would not see it; made bridge ef flow
ers it. and tried to forget that there was an
abyss beneath. Wiley has torn away the frail
arch. God forgive him-I fear l rever can.'
You murmur at cake ofstone' said Constance,
and again the crimson uuder-current SO lately lib
Grated from restraint sent its TO her cheek,
vet YOU have never asked for bread
And the reserved, nun like Constance uttered
this to the man whose father had perished on the
scaffold, and whose name was in consequence ir-
retrevably dishonored. Yes, and far more, for
they sat for hours in that fairy groto, till
Like holy revealings
From innermost shrines came the light of their
feelings ..--
Mordaunt related all his past history, including
the awful tragedy of his fathers death. He was
then mere boy, but he remembered well his
mothers agony and his sisters despair. He re-
membered we'll the last prison scene, when his
father, almosr crushing him in his arms, baptized
him with tears of blood, as it were, declaring bis
innocence in the name of that God in whose pres
ence he was about to appear. Years of darkness
followed, but light dawned at last. His mother
wua brave Christian woman, aud grief did moi
crush her.. She lived for her children. In him
The ubilant spirit of youth at last rose above the
gloomy past, that past which began to appear as a
frightful dream. Amid new scenes, surrounded
with new associations he ceased to dwell upon it
and if the shadow intruded. he resoutey dispelled
it. There came, however, time when it rolled
down upon him with the backness of thunder
storm, and he bowed beneath its weight 1t wa:
the night when Doctor Lewis entered his office
and Wiley was witness of emotions his malice toe
well Interpreted
i have explained everything to Doctor Lewis
said Mordaunt,ard he is more than ever my friend
He has even offered me partnership in his prac
tice, and given me the most earnest advice to re
man.
.Remainr repeated Constance. Surely, yo'
have not thought of leaving us!
Since have discovered that have an enemy
the very air l breathe seems contaminated. Blu
now feel that I cain triumph over his MALICE
With the hopes that now animate me, could fac
an opposing world. At this moment / woul