Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-03-31

length convinced that leonard hynton is
forming habits of dissipation, 20 call ii no
harsher name which may end in his
ruin! Ido not wish TO grieve you Alice,
vet it is prudent to be warned, when even
Lvnton's best friends are forced to ac-
knowledge that he with all his highmind-
edness, is indeed listening with charmed
ear to the voice of that syren, the end of
whose song is destruction. Your pale
cheek and quivering lips tell too painfully
that these things have reached your ears
and added strength 10 your own suspi-
cions."
A violent trembling came over the
young girl for moment, and then she
stood silent before her mother, as pale,
and certainly as beautiful as marble
statue. AT length the appealing express
sion of her soft blue eyes changed 10 one
of terrible energy, the tremulous voice
dcepened in lis tone, and the slight figure
grew TO a height more dignifed.
"Mother," she replied, 81 hare heard
the report you alluGe to. Leonard Lyn-
TONS enemies have not been slow in coin
ing such stories for my benefit, know.
have heard all but Go not believe. |
have never seen Lynton take any thing
stronger than giasS cf riae he has
told the that he never does. Mother, |
have not the shadow of suspicion."
Well might the mother sigh inwarily,
and could Alice have known the anguish
that wrung her bleeding heart, Lynton's
cause had been lost forever.
Alice, the lovely, the conGdng, the
gui!e-less Alice; she spoke but as she
thought. In her heart Of hearts she could
not believe that he, whose nature was so
noble, so generous, who avowed so many
correct principles, who possessed, in so
eminent degree, all manly qualifications,
who, above all, seemed to submit through
his deep tenderness for her, lie laws of
his being TO her conirol-Shc cO3Id not
believe that he, by any possible temPta-
ton, would yield to the balelu inslnua-
tons OF the Destroyer and degrade the
dignity of manhood below the brutes that
perish. 4 glass Of wine now and then,
could not make Leonard Lynton a D,Ul-
kurd Alice, poor child, had never been
led 10 view this most ruinous evil in its
proper light.
Yet, why was it that amid the harsh
judgments Of the world, the secret regrets
of friends and the open attacks OF toes,
Alice turned, with more unfaliering
trust, to her lover, and shrined his image
deeper in her heart. She loved and be-
ieved in him, and her heart enShrouded
in the mantle Of devotion clung with In
creased tenacity to its object, and the light
of affection shone warmer and brighter as
the shades of evil closed darker around
the beloved.
Constancy is striking and peculiarly
beautiful trait in the character of a wo-
man.
The sentiment was largely developed
in Alice and it gave her love surpassing
strength. Her affection had nothing
gross or earthly in lis yearuing, for lis
source was in the purest fountains Of her
heart. Alas, for the untold riches laid on
the altar of love 1t is the old and Oft
repeated story seldom worth its offering !
But was present at that bridaI-for gen.
tie Alice Lee did become the vile Of
Leonard Lynton-l marked his smile OF
conscious triumph and eXulllng love, as,
before Gods holy altar, he pIighted that
deep vow to be her husband-comforter
and protector forever. And she, the
gentle being at his side-l saw her look
of trusting and entire confidence, when
she gave her hand to him with whom she
had chosen TO tread liGe's crowded paths.
| watched that widowed mother, too,
when she gave her only daughter to an
untred, and to be doubtful, guardianship, /.
There was sorrow in the tones OF her iond
and fearful blessing on that fair young
bride, who was thus, in her tendereSt
wears. leaving the shelter and guardance
of her mothers love, forever. And |
heard, too, the solemn injunction she
gave as she committed her precious
charge into other hands that he should
deal truly and kindly by her as he hoped
for Gods blessing. | heard alI-and |
turned aside to conceal the tears which IN
cessantly crept into my eyes-an Ill
omened melancholy came over me, but
s,rove TO Danish it-(Or all seemed so
fair, and so true--the bride was so trust
ing, the bridegroom so confident. Then
why should dim this fairy picture OF
happiness with my tears
have said that Alice Lee became the
wife of Leonard Lynton-and, alas, she
became his victim also. The blight Tell
early on the rose, and the worm reVeied
amid the leaves.
SL,u wa foIIow that all-Worshipped .