The American patriot., 1855-07-28
CLINTON, LA, JULY %, 1855


and Interesting conversation with him, and when
he departed the moon was silvering the crests of
the adjacent hills with paly radiance and the
scrccch-owl mourned from tree overhead. He
had become very familiar with her, and her soul
sweed with emotions and powerful and be-
fore he left she even promised to him again in
that arbor, and enjoy in mutual converse there the
sublime beauties of the Creator = Z"
Daughter, where have you been?" askedyyIrs
Hunt when Ethel had returned to the house," We
Were getting somewhat uneasy at your protracted
delay" Why did she crimson at simple ques-
ton? A moment the truth mounted to her lips,
but there was something that suppressed the can
did confession, and merely remarked that the land
scape so beautiful that she could not leave the
contemplation of it. ..
A beautiful and enchanting dream came from
the spirit land that night, aud in its mystic folds
enwrapt the mind of the gentle and unsuspectng
Ethel. She was in love, and it was the first and
purest emotion of her soul!
Weeks passed, happy, blissful weeks, every eve
ming beneath the arbors foliage two loving crea-
lures were seen gazing on the scenery around the
one the beautiful Ethel leaning confdngly upon the
arm of the handsome young gentleman. All!
could We call those passing zephyrs back again,
how many fond sigh or expression Of affection
would they bear the pure out-pourings of heart,
and the cold vanties of flattery
! III.
'My dear Ethel, as your father, positively for
bid your intercourse with that fellow, Carter!"
Why was the father so determined?
NJ, or I. T.
ceivcd by vain words and pretences; and it was
with an eve no less of indignation than of SURPRISE
that he, on the evening that he made the above
stern announcement discovered Ethel in familiar
tetc-a.tete with Albert Carter.
Ethel few to her room, in deep mental agony.
Sobs were the only sound that she uttered that
night; to disobey her parents had always appear
cd to her the greatest of crimes and still was ring
ing in her ears the last words of her lover, inject
me, sweet Ethel to night, for shall be gone for a
long, long time, and may never see you more. >
Who can fathom the depth of agony which soul
: feels when having been aroused to every impulse
of love, it meets with sudden, and severe revul-
sion. 1t was this depth Of pain and sorrow that
now sweed in rising hows, on the heart of the
{ poor Ethel
Hours passed oif--hours of intenest, suspense and
agony Ethel remained on her knees as if in de-
Won't alteration to the throne of grace; but who
could define the chaos of turbulent thoughts that
Aoated through her mind At length she arose,
with calm and tranquil smile of resignation on
her face f; she had made her rcsoluton--immutable
as it was stern. lmmutablc! ah few human
Oh
hazard of happiness to obey her parents.
Her brow burned with feverish heat, and pro-
ceeding to the window she raised the curtains to
admit the fresh breeze Scarcely had she raised
the curtain when the shadow of some one standing
below, caught her attention. Leaning ont of the
open window, she at once recognized the figure o
l her lover. All her old passion back, and
resolution and thought were laid aside by the hap
py influence oflovc.
"Dear Ethel" said he, in lowered voice
''whcre have you been? For an hour have
waited YOU at the appointed rendezvous it is now
midnight. Come let stroll, by soft moon light
For moment Ethe paused in deep considera
4 ton But when her lover once more requested
t her to allow him to assist her out of the window
she forgot her fathers injunction, in the fear io
: Carcrs safety in thus standn. beneath her window
F; she therefore hastily gave him her hand and wa
4 soon standing in the yard. In the fulness of he
feelings She did not notice that Carter proceeded
to the gate, and having opened it, Ethel discovered
post carriage standing near by. "What is that
i asked she, surprised.
u 81 thought, my dearest, you would like to rid
/ little this evening"" he replied but if you do
y wish it we will not do - but without watin
: for an answer, he proceeded to and entered th
:, vehicle helping the unrcsisting Ethel in belor
" him. The carriage went mt rapid rate down th
y old road, the position cracking his whip with cor
: siderable rapidty.
An indefinabc sensation of distrust came Owe
Ethel as the vehicle with its sonorous wheels swep
! on with such astounding velocity. Suddenly, a
= they were passing by dense, and almost impenc
trablo forest, the fierce report Of pistol smot
~ their ears. groan rent the air, and all was still
." Giles out of the way" cried the position pyin
= his whip more vigorously to his horses.
= ''Who's dcad?' asked the terrified Ethel. Bl
:, no answer came, and g1ancing around upon Carte
y. for explanation she was thunderstruck at his s
=. gular appearance. Never had she seen man {
,t resemble demon--ncver affection transfo
i, med into such appalling dread.
J., "Whom do you think?' he asked in provokir
-, tone. She fell back and buried her face in h
y, hands. ''Oh! Lord, deliver mel" she cried in {
hc agony of grief
-. Whittier they went, or what in their hurried iou
od ney they passed, Ethel was perfectly incognza
,r Of What should be her destiny? She hers'
knew not. Nor was this the only painful rehecti'
Dr that came upon her mind. The sorrow of her p