The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-10-26

appreciation OF his character, learned by that ntu
ition of woman's heart which the philosopher ad-
mts. but cannot explain.
Mordaunt had an exalted estimate OF woman
He adored his mother and dearly loved his gentle
sister. (for he had mother and sister who dwelt
far away, in sweet country village, and in every
lovely young female ha recognized sisters form.
For Constance he felt admiration 80 chastened
by reverence, it was less like the feeling that
youth and beauty inspires than what the worship
per feels for his guardian saint 1t love- for
she indeed seemed the sno,c- -maiden-too pure
and too cold to be warmed by the breath of human
passion. He experienced in her presence feel
ing of divine repose, kind of moonlight quietude;
for such was her exquisite purity, her holy spirit
uality that she dlffused around her kind of sill
very brightness that threw soft, Elusive charm on
all within the sphere of her influence.
Mordaunt's practice was now rapidly extend
ing among the rich and influential, among those
who could appreciate his merits, as well as re-
ward his services. He no longer looked with anx-
ious eye on the sleeve of his coat, or the rim of
his hat. He could afford to buy new ones. He
was no longer poor no longer unknown. His
mind liberated from the iron fetters of poverty
and unchilled by the vapors of obscurty. was con-
scious of an expansion, warmth, an elevation uu-
known before. He became strongly attached to
Doctor Lewis, who. in his own familiar intercourse
with the young man, displayed geniaty of feel
ing. more winning from the contrast with the pre-
vailing reserve and dignity of his character.
Mordaunt occasionally met Wiley, in whose
breast the gall of jealousy added to the venom
Of 81, L. e
stance, he hated the man who, he believed. had
rivaled him in her affections. He did not disc ,n-
tinue his visits at Mr.. Goldman's. He asked to
retain the privileges of friend. though denied far
dearer rights. He wanted to watch the progress
of Mordaunt and, if possible, undermine the state
y fabric of his growing fame.
Every man. said he, has some weak. yulner-
able point, some spot that the Styx of Stoicsm
has not bathed. Mordaunt is proud. Let the
barbed arrow pierce him through his pride, and
the wound will prey upon his lfe.'
The soul of Mordaunt had vulnerable spot, but
it was one of which Wiley never dreamed. spot
where the arrow would indeed penetrate deep as
the core of life. But time had folded is layers
thickly over it, and the man at times forgot what
had well nigh naddened tho boy.
The age of tree is known by the consecutive
circles that are formed round the heart of the
trunk, and it takes many stroke of the sharpest
axe to reach that guarded part.
Thus, year after year had raped round the
quick of Mordaunt's heart a deeper coating. rem
dering it more inaccessible to external injury He
was far removed from the associations of the past,
and on that one subject the lips of memory were
hermeticaly sealed.
One evening Doctor Lewis came into his office
at late hour. Wiley sitting there, leaning
back against the wall. on the back ground of
dark cloak so tha: his figure was not at first dis
tinguishable. Mordaunt was 10 an abstracted
mood, and apparently forgetfuI of the presence of
one whom his nature avoided with strong, cleo
tric repulsion.
Come to my office, Mordaunt,' said Doctor
Lews, laying his hand familiarly on his shoulder;
I i have glorious subject-the criminal who was
executed this morning. He is certainly one of
the uoblest specimens of humanity, as far as the
outward man is concerned, have ever seen.
An expression Of sickening horror passed over
| Mordaunt's countenauce. He shrunk involuntari-
ly from the hand laid in kindness upon him. DR..
Lewis beheld him with surprise and disappoint-
ment.
I thought you would welcome such an opportu-
nity,' said he rather coldly. You surely must
have conquered ere this that morbid sensibility
that recos from 40 act which the wants of science
demand, which philanthropy sanctions and religion
approves. The man who has violated the la Ws of
God makes an expiation greater than his life when
he yields his body to the scalpel. which explores
the winding mysteries of vitality. Living he may
be the scourge, dead, benefactor of mankind
Doctor replied Mordaunf, and his usually
sunny eye was darkened and overcast, II would
far rather disturb the awful slumberers of the
grave than touch the poor victim Of man's unrigh-
teous judgment. He was condemned and execu.
ted on circumstantial evidsnce alone. Such de-
cision is not lawful. 1t is often murder of the
most cruel. deliberate kind. believe him inno-
cent. Iwould not make sacrifice of his body to
save my own from burning fames.'
i Wiley leaned forward from his darkened corner
and gazed with intense curiosity on the pale and
excited face Of Mordaunt. Why should he feel SC
painful an interest in the fate of nameless male
factor! What was his guilt or innocence to him?
1t was not merely abstract sympathy with his race
which could extingush the color of his cheek, and
qusnch 30 suddenly the light Of his eye.
Wiley, the naturally cold and envious, the de.
berately jealous and now malignant Wiley, watch
ed his victim with feline subtlety and dissmuation
He had discovered wire which communicated
with the vital, vulnerable part he had been so Ions
seeking. And he twisted aud twisted it round the
screw of memory, ready to draw at it and tug at it
till the hearts blood caIhe oozing brop by drop
posing the inner wound.
i will not urge you tonight said Doctor Levin
taking leave of Mordaunt with serious kindEes
of manner, which made the young man grasp hi
hand with unconscious warmth. i see you ar'
nervous, and fear seriously indisposed. We can
not always command our will, and every one,
believe has some strange, uuaccountabe weakness
which has its ebbs and flows like the moon-rulet
tide
i fear you think me weak, Doctor replie,