Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-01-25
CHAPTER V.
Tn c Disc closure.

Ii DIS % ufe.
Amelia Powell had passed a night Of the
most painful anxiety. TIE sharer of her
hearts fondeSt emotions had been baniShed
from her preSence-had been treated with the
most undlSguised contempt. 10 her devoted
heart this was meet cause for anxiety. The
future seemed robbed Of all its promised bliss
and iTowned in gloomy forebodIngs upon her
brightest hope.
Her fathers gay and luxurious habits CON-
PEELED her to mix with the light hearted rev.
elerS III the saloon Oi fashion; but, deprived Of
her souPS ideal, it was diStastelul in the ex-
treme. lnherltlng the temperment and liSpo-
SlIion OF meek and gentle mother, her hapi-
ness consisted in the most simple enj ,yments
OF lie. The peaceful heaven Of the freSde
O' home was more desirable than The giddy
mazeS OF the dance, or the light revels OF the
drawng-rOom. The routine of fashionable
dissipation 10 which her father was devoted,
was nlonotonOuS round OF misery 10 her.
Her introduction to Robert Dewrie had been
entirely accidental. She had met him scarce-
ly year before, ii the hoyel Of overty, min
iSterng to the wants of the suffering. Her
heart Synpathsed with his in the mission Of
mercy. His manly form and handsome face,
lighted by a bright intelligent eye, now beam
ing with gentle sympathy; his modest, grace
fui demeanor and respectful but earnest gaze
of admiration he bestowed upon her--all had
contributed to engage her heart. Ere the
name of the gentle god had been invoked, she
loved hlm. In her daily walks OF charity she
met him; occasionally he attended her home,
uIra sho learned rore OF his character and
pursuits. The intelligence that he was one
OF the most devoted Of The agitatorS of the day,
which she had obtained through other sour
ceS, fell heavily upon her heart. This would
exclude him from her fathers sympathy; this
would be the dividing line between them
With much sympathy for the injured coloniSts
she could not but esteem her friend more
highly for his devotion to the welfare of his
county. | here was Roman virtue in his
composition which increased her admiration,
and appealed more strongly to her affections.
Various opportunities for intercourse occur
red, and at a fitting time, Robert Dewrie had
unfolded his heart, Ind offered it on the shrine
of her affections. The Offering was not dis
dained, and the record Of their devotion and
their VOWS was witnessed above.
The Stotm of war seemed rapidly gathering
over the colonies, and Robert Dewrie found
sympathes and views Of Col. Powell. 1t
was sad thought, but his soul was too ele-
yatec, his patriotism too noble, to be Seduced
from his duty even by the silken lure of love.
The young patriots open heart could not
conceal entlreIy the joys which animated it,,
and Waldeck was led to suspect the iact.-
By the adoption Of system OF espionage, he
had satisfied himself that Robert Dewrle was
the riva most too be dreaded in his conquest
of Amelia POwel'x heart. On the preceding
night he had followed him 20 Queen street,
and revealed to the aS,oniShed father the diSa-
greeable truth, which had enabled him 10 sur
prise the lovers.
Amelia, with a sad heart, had seated her.
self in the sitting room. The book she held
received no share of ker attention. Her mind
was oyerShadowed With anxiety for her lover.
AS she was thus rondering her clouded pros
poets, her father, who had just returned from
the goldsmi:h's shop, entered the apartment.
From tie events of the previous night, she ex
pected to be treated with cold sternesS but to
her surprise, he greeted her with even more
than usual eentleneSs, and imprinted faith
erly kiss of affection on her cheek.
'You look pale this morning, Amelia; you
are Ill % said Col. Powell, in a low tone Of
sollctude; for whatever his faults, whatever
the peculiaritieS of his nature, he loved his
eau hter, his only child, with an earnest de-
votion.
"No, father. I am quite WE'LL" replied
Amelia, and the tears gathered III her eyes
her fathers gentleness had melted her tender
heart.
"What ails you, child Why these
tears 7" and the fond father wiped away the
reproaching drops"
"Forgve me, father; forgive me that Of
Tended you last night.
"Nay, think no more Of it, Amelia, forget
him-he is unworthy OF your love-"
"Do not say so, father; l love him fondly,
truly"
Colonel Powell was distressed to find that
the affair of the previous evening, which he
had interrupted, was not an idle Irritation, as
he had anxiouSly hoped. He saw with the
deepest solctude the nroads which a single
night of sorrow had made. Whatever his own
prejudices against the union of his daughter
with hot headed rebel, the event was now
rendered impossible by the inlamy of the
young patriot His experience of woman's
heart CLEARLY indicated the danger of crossing
a fond and tender affection like that OF his
beloved daughter.
81 trust, my child, you have not irretreva
| bly, bestowed your affection upon this young
man." said Col. Powell, after long pause, in
which the painful realities Of his daughters
position had rapidly fitted through his mind.
Amelia made no reply,but gazed with look
Of mexpresSible anxiety into The face OF her
father. snl We '"fr.tf
''You must forget him, Amelia you must in
deed; he is utterley unworlbyof YOU" said
Col. Powell, in a sorrowlul tone. ''i ti4
"No, father, he is all that is manly, true
! and just love him for his virtues, for his