Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-06-15

Mr.. Wortley had evidently conquered tn
melancholy to which his spirit had long bee
a prey.
After the record hymn, the preacher aros
to prepare the subject of his discourse bu
at that moment the sexton, in his noiseles
slippers, ascended the pulpit and handed Mr.
Wortley some notices to be read.
The first was to call attention to PRAYER
meeting to be held at the house of brothe
Woods, on Wednesday evening, and the sec
ond related to some church business Havin,
disposed of these, Mr.. Wortley proceeded t,
unfold the third slip of paper. Suddenly tn,
blood forsook his cheek he become deadl,
pale, and he leaned against the pulpit for sup
port. Then, in tremulous, scarcely audibl,
voice. he read
Notice is hereby given of an intention t.
marry, by Mr.. Julius Britton, and Susan
daughter Of Joseph and Marie Bell
The paper fell from his hands. He opened
the Bible and read his text, from one of St
Paul's epistles. At first bis voice was feeble
but clear as the tongue Of the organ his man
ner was languid but warming up, his voice
ran out like clarion tones, his eyes burned with
the fervor of his eloquence, and the word Of
thought fled from his tongue like fire. He
had never preached with such fervor and eff
feet. Even the stern and dismal Deacon
Mills, who was a great stickler for orthodox
sermons, the dryer the better, confessed with
his eyes still wet, that Mr.. Wortley's sermons
must have some good in them, even though
they were not so orthodox as some-they made
the heart so open for love and sympathy of the
world AS the minister concluded there was
scarcely dry eye within the church vet
strange to relate, Susan Bell appeared un-
moved !! She had not taken her eyes from the
preacher since he read the notice of her inten-
ded marriage, but not tear had started and
when he closed, her face was so white, and
her gaze so fixed and unnatural, that the
preacher, dropping his eyes towards her, as
was his wont, could not but observe the
strangeness which had come over her.
Some days after, as Mr.. Wortley was sit
ting in his study, visiter was announced
1t was Mr.. Britton.
/ have come to engage your services, said
he.
The preacher turned pale.
If you can attend at Mr.. Bells house, on
Thursday evening of next week. added Mr..
Britton significantly, you will place me un-
der obligations. Can depend upon you!'
So soonl' murmured Mr.. Wortley, max
ing mighty effort to be calm.
Why, since the marriage contract is made,
the sooner it is fulfilled, the better, think,
said Mr. Britton.
Perhaps SO, replied Mr.. Wortley, thought
fully. But he added, fixing his eyes on
Britton's face, Miss Bell has known YOU only
a few MONTHS
Mr.. Britton changed color, and appeared ill
at ease, as he replied, with a feeble attempt
at humor; take advantage of that, for you
know she might grow sick of me, if our mar
IidSO WdS uCldytu 100
After the aspiring bridegroom had gone,
Mr.. Wortley was plunged in deep thought
He paced his room nervously, then, TO cool
his fevered brow, he sought the open air
Long and painful was the struggle in his heart
At last he exclaimed fervently
: | will forget self. will do duty. l will
be strong. Shall my voice betray emotion
when pronounce the fatal words which shall
make her his wife q
The young preacher smiled, and lifted his
eyes to the leafy canopy which shaded the
azure vault of heaven. He seemed to see
guardian angels looking approvingly down
upon him. He was resolved
But Mr.. Wortley was troubled with an af-
terthought. And he was sure there was no
selfshness in the fear that Britton was not
worthy of his intended bride. He thought
only of her, and something within him whis-
pered
'It is your duty TO study more deeply into his
character before this marriage, which may be
fatal to an innocent BRIDE
This silent monitor would not let him rest :;
and before the sun had gone down in the west,
he was entering the house of Bell, whom he
saw alone.
The clergyman made but little hesitation in
introducing the subject, OF which he deemed
it his duty to speak With proper apology
for enquiring about the character Of Mr. Brit
ton, he seriously wished to know if Mr.. Bell
had given his consent to the marriage, without
first ascertaining whether his intended SON
in-law was really what he represented him
self.
Why, to be sure, said Mr.. Bell, who was
an easy, unsuspicious sort of man, it has
never entered my head that there could be any
deception Mr.. Britton certainly appears re-
spectacle, and for his property =
That is nothing. But is he man Of in
tegrltyp asked Mr.. Wortley. is he man
of principle! We can see nothing to raise a
doubt, touching his moral character, truly .
but what has been his past careerl Do not
blame me for the interest take in your daugh-
ter's future happiness, he added with feeling.
Where the welfare Of the young and virtuous
is at stake. we cannot be too cautious
Mr.. Bell was plunged in deep thought. He
was not convinced that he had anything to