The American patriot., 1855-07-28


to the position, and he hurried up the steps. On
with whirring sound the carriage flew, turning
corners with such rapidity that Ethel felt dizzy. In
front of an antique and dapidated building they at
length paused.
"You'll get out if you please" said the driver,
and Ethel hurriedly obeyed. \ crazy looking old
woman came out, and taking Ethel by the hand,
withou; asking her permission proceeded to lead
her into the house. Ethel shrank from the clasp
OF her long fingers. ''You needn't be nice about
it," said the old hag, "thercs getting away from
Carter"
In room, underground, which could be proper
ly termed dungeon Ethel was confined. "Iiere,"
said the old hag. "you may content yourself to
stay and she left s-. ss,aH
To describe Ethels agony of mind, will not at.
tempt; for there is more mistery in the troubled
depths of thought aroused by grief in the human
SOUL than in all the wondrous Vaccinations of meta
physical nature. ..r
III.
Midnight, in its folds so suporstitous enrobcd
the whole city, quietude and calmness rested where
during the day all had been life and action. Ethel
almost hcart-broken with sorrow and rcmorse, but
energetic in resolution, looked through rent in the
roof above her. at the distant host of stars that gil
ded the vault of the sky. Her resolution had been
taken, and favorable opportunity had fortunately
presented itself She had determined to escape
her confinement; and she had perceived that there
was a considerable rent in the side of the room.
There could be no danger, in forcing this aperture
wide enough to allow her to pass through ofawak-
ing the inmates of the other rooms for the old hag
had taken the precaution to bar tightly every door
and window through which she might make her
egress, and had thus debarred the possibility of
hearing whatsoever should occur in her room.
This rent had been happily overlooked, as Ethel had
placed herself between it and the old woman.
A few strong efforts and the plank burst open
with crash. Ethel paused but a momcut to as
certain if she had awakened any one, and finding
she had not, she crept steahy out, and found her.
self standing in the midst of cluster of ragged
looking buildings in the extreme suburbs of the
city. From that place she Immediately fed, and
entering the city, proceeded to Common ST. Over
come with both bodily and mental cxcrtion, near
the st. Charles Hotel, she fell PROSTATE upon The
banquet. She was discovered carly the next NOR
ming, by gentleman who resided on Magazine ST.
Thithcr the lSind-hearted man conveyed her insen.
sible as she was, in his gig.
| Months must pass--months Of sorrows, trou-
blcs, and vexatons during which time, Ethel, ever
gentle and amiablc, had grown acquainted with
earth's harshest trials She still dwelt with her
kind bcncactor in the city reserved and quiet com.
muncating nothing of her past sad history.
| She was now maintaining herself in the capacity
of private govcrness. All her pupils loved her,
she was so gentle ami quict all wondered ut the
irremovable melancholy that was always on her
countcnancc yet none asked her to explain it, A
silent mystery had cnwrappcd itself around her be-
ing, and an impcncirablc melancholy fed upon her
heart. Every day she grew weaker, cough was
ever sapping at her vitals, and the old physician
said she must never recover.
1t was to bea brilliant party that evening at the
house whore she resided; and Ethel Gray (shc had
assumed this name,) was requested to write the in.
vitation tickets, as her handwriting was beautiful
\ smile, which We're scarce visitors to her brow
had fixed its station there, this once, until fatal
name was mentioned to be written Ii was Albert
Carter! A deathly gloom seized her soul her eyes
grew dim, dark shadow passed before her She
said she faint, the weather was cold, and she
must retire.
"To Mr.. L.. Dear sir, for your dsintcrcstct
&C Kindness l am ever grateful, but l must leave
this place, forever. Inquire not---scarch not fo
me, ETuEL GRAY"
Years have swept away. Time, the perfcctor o
all things, has fixed the dcstinics of millions, an'
with its ever revolving wheels has evolved other
forth upon the stage ofaction Mr. and Mrs. Hunt
now grown old and their locks silyercd with th
frost of years. and of trouble, sitting lonely am
sad around lively fire in thcir old homestead il
the pine forest, gazing pensvely into the hcartl,
and occasionally casting glance through the win
: dow at the falling snow.
'Ths isa sad day to many thousands of people,
remarked Mr.. Hunt, a. shrill wind, piercing thrt
an aperture, blew upon him. MANY in the cite
will perish for want Of food ard fuel. Poor Ethel
r How strange, we have never heard word troI
: her. She must have dicd-poor, unfortunate, an
0 friendless."
: An emotion Of gloom, a shadow Of sorrow, MOI
dolefl than the veil of night came over the heart
g the old man as his thoughts fell into that sad cha
r mel which almost constantly they occupied Sigh
n deep and heartfelt, came on the rcspirng al
There were "reminiscences, too sad, almost, for mer
: Dry itscft to endure.
It servant came to the door: "a poor female ira
If cller, wishes to stay all night" said the servant.
n Bring her in" said the old man and the serva
l. retired but soon returned accompanied by ii
t. young traveller.
N 1t was pale, thin, consumptiye looking creatu
3e that came in quivering with an ague. She f
" scnselcss upon the floor, with sorrow al