Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-11-02

and destroying IT, replied Lena in a low
voice and speaking through her closed
teeth.
The widow started and turned pale.
" Would you do snch thing, even il
you had an opportunity ?" she inquired,
{. Think of the consequences if you were
discovered.
!" The consequences must be lost sight
of, and no discovery dreaded, if we would
succeed, and succeed ace mast. Shall
Alice be left to attain her object, and 1
be obliged to acknowledge her success
with the multitude No 'tis a triumph
she shall neUer know" exclaimed the ex-
cited girl, springing from her couch. for
getting her weakness and illness in the
passion of the moment. "See," she con-
tinued. rapidly pacing the floor, "see the
influence she already possesses among the
villagers. See how she is caressed and
admired by the highest and first. See
how the poor all bless her as she pas
ses them in the church-porch, and see
how ready every one is TO step forward
to receive smile or pleasant word from
her, while l may pass Just at her side,
more elegantly dressed. more brilliant of
face, and with gold, yelioW gold, instead of
ner silver shilling for the contribution
plate yet nobody blesses me, none rise
and invite me to their pew, and no smi-
ling faces press forward to greet me-
True, the rich step aside for me, the
proud acknowledge my presence grace
fully, as fashion ever greets fashion, but
Pm not frSt. Alice's homage is heart
homage, mine ip homage. must SUI
persede her. The girl is unsuspicious ;
she loves me as she often says, like her
sister. Through her love must win my
way to her position, lift her unsuspocting
form from the PEDESTAL on which it stands,
an occupy the place myself. To be hap
Ply, l must be popular; and have enough
to overcome without the added triumph
Alice would gain by the success with her
manuscript, Now aid me if you can, in
devising plan to thwart her expecta-
tons"
And Lena turned an eager glance upon
her mother, then flung herself impatient
ly among the soft cushions of a large
chair
Mrs. Forrest sat in deep thought for a
moment, then arising and approaching
her daughter, she said in low tone
1T shall be done, provided we can
learn the day on which the MS. will be
mailed. Ralph you know is trusty and
cunning. His aid and this knowledge is
all we shall require. Now, my child,
compose yourself, and do all yoa can to
regain your brightness before the picnic,
which it is my particular wish you should
attend, and which is appointed for the
day after tomorrow, you know Miss Man
ly said.''
Lenarose, and approaching the mirror,
gazed earnestly on the face and form re.
flected there.
Il will do anything you wish, mother, -
she exclaimed, "only grant me triumph,
only aid me to accomplish my wishes"
CHAPTER NINTH.
"My manuscript is fnisheG." said AL
ice. joyfully, to Harvey, as he entered the
Manor house two days after the events re-
corded in the last chapter.
81 rejoice that your task is done. ;" said
the old man, kindly laying his hand among
her curls /; "a if it is ready for the mail,
will take it now to the village"
There are yet some slight additions tc
be made in the way of ofpunctuaLion marks
and I'll not trouble you with it, my friend,
as Lucy is going to the village this after.
noon and can take it as well as not,'' re.
returned Alice.
"Well, then, I'll wait till you have
prepared it for the post. and then you
must go with me for walk. You Look
pale and woe worn, and need the fresh
air 1t is a long time since we've had one
Df
visit Fairy Isle"
Do go, Alice" urged her mother,
"you have confined yourself of lcte SO
closely. If you do not return in time to
see it yourself, will dispatch Lucy with
your packet, and it will be Just as well.
and you will come home renovated and in
better spirits"
Alice, after moments hesitation, com
piled. and her papers being soon put in
readiness, she tied on her little straw hat,
and kissing her mother adieu, passed forth
leaning on the old mans arm.
They sought the banks of the Walla.
wan, and pursued their way down the
stream. They had scarcely passed out oi
sight oGthe Manor. VI hen Mrs. Forests car
riage driven by Ralph drovcup to the door.
Lena ieant eagerly from the carriage win
dow, and without alighling. asked old Lu-
cy. who stood in the door, for her young
mistress.
" She's not in" replied Lucy. She
felt ill-like from writin SO much, and has
gone out for the air. miss"
" Poor child T. exclaimed Lena in a
Tone Ofaffectionate eeommiserasiOn. when
will she have finished her story go
81 heered her tell Massa Hale twas
dun now" answered Lucy. and I'm
gwine to mail il for her this afterpOOn."
a Let ne take IT, said Lena, with &
strange light in her black eyes it viii