The American patriot., 1855-07-28
The Deception.
by HARRY LANE.

by HARRY LANE.
Far off, and secluded from the vtating influence
of civilization, in dense forest of pines, with here
and there lordly oak interspersea, stood the
tic ed6ce of Mr.. Hunt, reserved and quiet gen.
tleman of forty. Beneath his humble but hospita-
bic roof, there were but three individuals, himself,
his amiabe and loving wife, and gem of humani-
ty, who like an isolated flower, blooming in some
unrequentcd valley pours its odors each passing
zephyr mellowing the air with soft fragrances--a
gentle girl of seventeen, purified with a mystic
gentility of dcmcanor and tender feeling Of soul,
all those who were around her. She was beauti-
ul; with complexion that rivalled the lilly in pu-
rity, save the rose relieved those exquisite white.
Not purer is the aerial vault of a clear sunlt day,
than those heartstirrng eyes, bright reflections of
her faultless innocence of soul.
The house was rather small, but its exact pro-
portion in every apartment developed the fact that
its architect was not a novice in the building of
houses best adapted not only to comfort but to
imposing appearance, for indeed Mr.. Hunt was
ruined merchant formerly resident of New Or
leans, but, having met with many reverses, and
with the unfortunate, he had retired into the wild
interior of the State, to spend in the bosom Of his
family, the remainder of his days in peace and Sc
cusion.
| In front of the house grove of beautiful
young oaks, in which there was shadowy arbor
from whose leafclad vines dilfuscd meluous fra
grances, and where numberless birds warbled
cnnobled ecstaccs. There it was the habit of Ethel
to sit and read and her father had so far humored
her as TO construct commodous table, upon which
she could write with facility, and placed it beneath
this vernal habitation Ethel had been educated at
a boarding school in North Carolina, which was
the native State of both Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, and
while she was absent she had contracted an engage
mcnt with her cousin young gentleman of splen-
did appearance, but of far superior mental ability.
! With this engagement both parents readily con-
CURED, and Mr.. Thompson would come over in
one year and take his sweet bride to his distant
home. Ethel was perfectly contcnted, for naturally
poetic she enjoyed herself in pondcring on the beau
ties of nature that every day presented to hereye
and once a week long and loving letter appeared
from the lover.
One evening in April while the earth smiled at
the happy influences of the lively spring the
disappeared beneath the western horizon Ethel sat
as if entranccd, gazing upon the sublime prospect
before her, whilst her fancy winged away to un.
known realms, where glory is the presiding angel
As she thus sat unconscious, rstline in the leaves
attracted her attention, and looking to the right
paradng the path in front of the arbor she heheld
a man of handsome and attracting appearance, who
had not evidently perceived her. To escape un
seen, at once presented itself to her mind but there
was no way of leaving the arbor except by the
path in which the stranger was paradng; the only
method then of remaining concealed was to kccI
quiet until he should depart, Or should see he
when she would retreat by passing him. He seem
ed somewhat agitated, and not unhequently turnc,
his eyes to Heaven, if imploring the divinity 70
, mercy. While she gazed upon his exquisite
moulded features and figure, he suddenly came fol
ward with rapid step, and in moment With
the arbor when, on perceving Ethel, he spran
ash in amazement, and then stammcrcd an apology
she very willingly pardoned him, but seeing tina
he hestated, she rose and taking manuscript i
her hand, on which she had just been writing, bad
i him good evening, with the design of leaving br
c he intercepted her departure, and begging pardo
d for his rudencss asked her indulgence until h
should define his reasons for thus intruding upu
her private medtaons She once more seate
herself with heavenly smile, and prepared to he;
# his argument.
v He had lately made his advent to the neighbo
hood, and had come to draw picture of rural seen
IS ry in verse, he was in the habit of writing po
II try, and he had put up at widow lady's, not mi
off, whence on that occasion, not knowing whith
is he went, he had wandered there. "And thin
kind lady," said he in conclusion, 4" that you W
1t the more readily forgive me- from the fact, Tor
> least, presume tis) that you ore yourself, an a
= mirer of nature, and have experienced the charn
m she throws over one"
Innoceat Ethel uncprs1ousl- catered inte Tor