The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1854-02-15


though quite common with yours, who, how.
ever, with their straight noses. and thin lips.
have an intensely vulgar expression /,
however, laughed at Lady Anne, and told
her that | thought the mind inspired the form.
and that beauty and grace we're the outward
signs Of the beauty chartered by Heaven
alone
Basil Astley.-that was the name Of our
hero,-made rapid advances in Sir Guy
favor. Sir Guy was himself an amateur ar
tist. lie had portfolios filed with sketches
made in Italy and Switzerland, when he was
young man; his walls were adorned with
pictures from his own designs The dear,
good mans perceptiye powers were not sharp,
and, in the indulgence Of his own innocent
little egotisms, he never dreamed Of the pas
sionate love 10 which he was unwarinely
giving such opportunity Of nurture and growth.
lie invited Ashley to become his guest. lie
walked with him over his lonely place, sug-
gestcd sketches, which were executed imme-
diately and charmingly. lie little dreamed
Of the episodes that were enacting in the
bowery park. and during the moonlight eve
nings ;-hc was sand blind, for never did |
sec too young creatures more passionately in
love than Annie and Ashley. II was like
nothing but the love Of Romeo and Juliet
He was not more than onc-and-tWcnty,-an
She not seventeen, which to our cold northern
blood il not more than the fourteenth year Of
the girl Of Verona. She was Astley's idol,
and the idols love matched bis ilolatry No
woman's instinct could mistake the bliss that
shone in the faces Of these young people
The mother saw it. and the father was immc-
diat5ly apprised Of her discovery. lie had
looked upon Anne rs a child, and she was
now caught in tolls that no woman's strength
is strong enough to break. What was to be
done! The affairs must be crushed, and at
once. Ashley was poor young artist, Of OBJ
scure birth. Anne bOasted a long line Of
noble ancestry, and had fortune in her own
right. Justly considered, perhaps, these ac-
cidcntal advantages would have been but a
fair offset against Astley's high gifts, and by
uniting the two young people the social equl-
librium would have been restored; but, in
my country, society is cast in an inflexible
mould. Lady Anne must be mated with her
equal in social advantages. She was destined
by her father for the son Of neighbor, the
friend Of his youth-of his lifetime. The
Young man, well born, we'll educated, well
principled, and amiable-the beau IDOL or
rather the beau actual Of discreet papas,
was at that time travelling. Sir Guy was as
prudent rs Brutus, had not even cOmmuni-
Gated his secret hope and purpose to his wife.
Sir Guy was not the cleyerest man in the
world, but he had good sense. and what IS
better even than that, good, most kind, most
afecticnate heart The inspiration Of such
a hearts instinct is far better than the su0-
tlest policy. Sir Guy at once asked private
interview with Ashley. lie told him that he
was aware Of the passion into which youth and
opportunity had betrayed, both him and his
child lie did not reproach him, he did not
even express a shade Of displeasure,- only
sympathy and tenderness lie treated the
continuance Of their intercourse as simply i'm
possible. lie assured Ashley that he hal
never for moment doubted his honor that
he was perfectly certain that he would not for
the world, after half hours cool reflection,
take advantage Of the romantic fancies Of a
child lie expressed great regard for Ashley,
uuboundcd confidence in his genius, and hope
Of his future career; advised his going imme-
diately to Italy, and concluded BY saying
that. as Ashley already knew, lie had been
enamoured Of art in his youth, that when he
was in Italy, he had been struck with the
struggles Of his countrYmen there, and that
when he returned, he had set apart a certain
sum for thoir aid and encouragement. That
sum, well husbanded, had now become enough
to support young man four or five years in
Rome and il Ashley would 20 there, and
permit Sir Guy to remit it to him from time
to time. he would give him the great pleasure
Of executing a long-cherished project.
ITO SO much reason and kindness there
was no answer but acquiescence.
Before they separated, Sir Guy said. It
will be a solace to you both, perhaps. to have
parting interview. As you will feel COM
pelled to leave US tomorrow morning, you
can have a last moonlight walk in the park,
where the starry influences will be no longer
danoerous.' a few more words OF the kind
est interest were spoken, and they parted.
Lady Anne was then summoned TO her faith
er's presence lie communicated to her, with
the utmost delicacy, the discovery Of her love.
He did not reason about or discuss i, but to
her. as he had done to Ashley, he spake Of
its indulgence as simply impossible. lie did
moi utter harsh or grating word, but was all
love and tenderness, as if it we're an inevita-
ble sickness Of little child that he wa
treating. He told her. in conclusion, that
Astley was TO take his departure iVShe morn
inc for Italy; ana that she would meet him
in tbe park for a parting interview, where be
would be at nine o'clock, awaiting her and
her friend Anne left her father, weeping,
trembling heart-broken. but with not the
smallest notion Of resisting his WILL rather
her DESTINY which to her 1t seemed to be.
She came to me, and remained in my
arms with throbbing pulses sighs, drenching
tears and half-uttcred sentences OF subms-
s;ve wretchedness, I'LL it drew near nine
o'clock.
I'VE then went to the park together, and
bv sure instinct to the fayorte haunt Of the
lovers 4 closely sheltered walk. Ashley was
awaiting Us. | left them, remaining near
enough to secure to them the propriety OF my
nroximity Hour after hour they walked or