The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-06-15

quadroon girl, as she raised them to the animated
| face of the speaker. that checked the word upon
the lip that brought ashes to the cheek and threw
aishadow colder Than ice and dark asthe grave upon
the warm gushing heart of Constance7 Thetear
ful complaint in the aibor--fhe broken wreath,
the dead bird-why dozthess childish reminiscen-
ces haunt her memory with such chill forebedng
Not word spoke Augelique, but Constance re-
qured no Interpretation of that prophetic glance.
oh. darling-do not look at me mournfully;'
she cried, your thoughts are but phantoms of u
disordered brain that has dwet too much upon my
approaching marriage. Can you 80 wrong yourself
! and me 10 suppose Our love can suffer change
from that event1 You must not think t-nsy
Angelique, you NUT no, lock at So! she CON
tinned slBo.t wildly. struggling to shut out the ter
ribie doubt those eyes seemed burning upon her
soul. /. You have no reason for disbelief, On An
geliquei Did l not promise my dying mother
that 1 would never, never. RESI-, till your freedom
was secured! That I would make any sacrifice
to obtain it :! And shall break my vow 10 the
loeai?' 9s ' i'i=
Gently and lovingly, with cauesses and soft
words, the slave girl sonflled and cnmfurted her
young mistress till she forgot the momentarv fear
that had tortured her. and then the two sat by the
window and ellalted over their needle-work till
risitors were announced, and Coustunce, entering
the Parlor greeted with pleasure her kind friends
I>Col. and Mrs. Marston.
Mr.. Herbert had left home three days before
on long absenc g, and Constance was naturally
little surprised by the unanuounced visit. She
thought too. that their manners wore something
of constraint. and when after tea Emily led the
way a secluded walk in the garden, she followed
with apprehension of evil ,idings.
Dear Miss Herbert I have come upon most
unpleasant mission, and fear to incur your extreme
displeasure; but the Colonel will give me peace
| till have performed it. Ths Balfour whose
name we have ately7iearnrd rumoris linking with
your own--nay 1 ask if you we'll advised as 10
his character. asd have confidence in his worth
ness to be received in your house terms inti
macy .s..zsaszs. ais
have no cause to snppose him unworthy such.
,distincton,' replied Constance smiling, .and.
| though not personally able to answer for it, my
fther, whose acquaintance is of older date than
mine, has, DOUBT not, good reasons for believing
his character without reproacb.'
We'll dsar, hope you are correct !: it is dread
fu tn bring such cl1arees against innocent man;
but the Colanel who has for some caiise long sus-
pected bis integrity. and once hinted as .muchto
| your father; but without making any impression.
as no. substantial proof could be addueed. Last.
week, however he unexpectedly met a an old nc
quaintanee from Havana. merchant Of the high
est resfectabilay. lie asserts that he has known
this Victor B .liour, though under an assumed
a..
| Emily, who had ncautiously proceeded faster
than she had intended, stoppedsuddeniy on seeing
the dealhly paIeness Of her listener. 's'
/. Good heavens !! Constance, that should alarm
you sihus!' said she taking the cold band of the
girl .it cannot be that you specially Interested
in this man-that ;lls common gossipis true--that
yon intend becoming his wife !'ss..,,ss. .ls.ss
I MY dear madam answered Constance calmly
and coldly. L piighted my hand to Victor BaFour
months ago and our marriage day is fixed
| Poor Emily alarmed for the Consequences of
| her communication burst into tears, and while
Constance, pale but perfectly quiet stood leanlng
against atree, sohbede cut: lEa- s@At
5f. Do forgive me dear your father in the inter
view l mentioned, repeatedy assured the Coopel
there was nothe slightest prospect Of proposal for
4 8
occur, and sought 10 warn you; but how could
suppose things had proceeded SO far after your
iather's prompt denia Of any such expectation
THE proposal had alredy been made answer
ed Consiancp, crimsonng at the thought OF her
fparent's unworthy subierfu.e, which could be &c
counted for only by supposing that he feared but
Col. Marston in his friendly anxi ty forher should
bring to light some alarming delinquency in her
lsuiior.s. .--s -fze vsase,, fH
- 4 know not whether to regret what have said,
Or not; : resumed Emily, surely your father will
institute some Inquiries; he will be sufficiently
Jealous of The peace of his only chill TO take all
. precautions; and as for ysur heart lear-I know
: your womany pride. and that it is strong enough
> to enable you 10 conquer an unworthy attachment
: if suchit should prove to be. z
i - Constance bowed her head mechanically, and
the plying Marsfons, feeling that their presence
must be restraint, shortly after took their leave
Il Then she sat down. bewiIdered aud trembling, to
. Try to recall among the conversations, and cnsua
remarks of Balfour, something that might seem 'o
Justify these astounding chare cs. Nothing beyond
an occasional angry fash of The eye when certain
Cuban transactions were mentioned, could she cal
to her recoll .cton.
: .Ob!' she groaned bitterly. this must all be
: s,ander!SI cannot believe in such consummatt
: dissembing. in such deliberate aud long susiains,
tfeachery as sss z @ e ssj
4 When her fither returned, she took earl !,
. opportunity TO relate what she lad heard. H
>, looked less surprised than dscon.tited aud provok
: :. ed. 1 do recoent Colonel Marston's al'uson 4
this subject time ago and did make som
igaiions, but ouid elicit nothing except hi
r implication in some youihfu fnlies. which ma
" Egnant enemy no doutt-for wealtb and talent wi
: always have enemies has distorted and brate'
. abroad to his injury. You cannot suppose m.
daughter that would risk your hnppness upo
uncertainties. l well plensed with B,fnur
and he loves you devotedly 1t was not Kind il
Mis- Marson TO come and fill your ears witt, scan
:" dal when she must hnye known that You wer