The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1857-04-30
WESTERLY !, THURSDAY, APRIL 80 1857.

saw her often in company ith the youn.
men whom | had first seen at the May
festival
Ou inquiry,.I learned that the young
strangers had just flushed their cole
gate coarse at the university, and were
spending the summer months in this re-
tired village, to gain quiet and rest pre-
paiatory to entering upon business, or a
profession, as they might hereafter de.
eide. They were friends and classmates
although, as afterwards found on ac-
qnain'ance, unlike in many respects, as
bosom friends invariably are.
/ James Leland, the elder of the two
was native Of Baltimore. His father
was g~ntleman Of wealth, whose great
ambition was to see his son cceSstully
settled in professional life. The young
cr wss born and bred on the hardy soil
of New England, and his mind took its
tone from the sturdy hills, and rocks,
and rcugh winds Of this climate. lie
not impulsive in his nature, but earnest
and every word aud act carried mean
ing in it, while his companion possessed
a warn, quick temperament, with all
the e. e and grsce Of manners peculiar
to th'} form Of organization. His con-
vera, ~ was brilliant, sparkling with
wit arV humor, and his liIs uttered u
hundred little plcasantries, that were
merely the ortbursts Of an enthusiastic
nature, spoken one moment and forgot
ten the next.
Maurice King was not polished Oh
fascinating in his manners, but his re-
serve onl y made him more interesting to
many. | did not learn what particular
attraction brought the young men t.
Fairfield, in preference to other villages
in the vicinity, but supposed it might BE-
to enjoy the fine scenery, and the entire
change that life in rural town ike
this would give them.
Soon after their arrival into the town
they We're introduced 10 the young peo-
pie of the village, and with hearty good
will entered into their amusements, and
joined their numerous pleasure eXcur-
>iOns. When the summer evenings be-
came warm, they enjoyed sailing upon
the pond, and picnics and berry partios
were every day occurrences. Fairfield
had never seen SO gay season as this.
Often as sat by my chamber window
late into the night, could hear the
voices Of the happy little company, sing
ing as they rowed over the smooth lake
in the soft moonlight.
At such times my heart would throb
and tremblc for the deep love | felt for
Nellie Phillips. could not understand
my affection for her, but it grew aud
strengthened each day, and became a
source Of both joy and pain to me. 1t
was not an idle curiosity that led me tc
The cottage where Nellie and her moth
er resided. | went often, aad gained
the confidence of both mother and daurh-
ter After this, Nellie was my constant
morning companion. How quiet and
bcautitG. were those summer hours sit
ting in the shaded arbor, each with our
basket of work, and Nellie telling over
to me the events Of the past days pleas
urc.
1t was easy to see that Nellie's pure
nature was developing in new direc.
ton. Her eyes took more earnest
lirht, and her checks were either flush
cd with joyous excitement or pale with
the intensity Of thought. 1t was very
easy, too, 10 see that her preference was
given TO the least fascinating Of the two
strangers Why this was, | could not
tell, for he rarely showed her particular
attention, while James Leland was her
escort on every occasion.
One morning Nellie came to me with
her bright face wrcatbcd in smiles, and
her delicate frame all aglow with excite
ment. A new days pleasure was in
prospect. A horse back ride was plan
ned for the coming day. They were to
20 twelve miles further into the country
to visit famous glen that was much
frcquentcd by lovers of romantic scene
ry.
| asked Nellie if sue felt sure her
strength could manage and hold in check