Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-05-31


joy the consolation of even this frail screen
from shame. On being advised of her return
home. and her allegations that she was his
wlie, ne wrote to her father, relating infinitely
all the circumstances OF the elopement, and
dehying the statements respecting the mar
rIage and his promise tO return.
Mr.. Darrell handed this letter to his daugh-
ter, after having peruse 1 il himself but Ellen
tenGciously adhered to her previous assertions,
and her father was ultimately induced TO seek
the MINISTER whose name was on the certificate,
and WAS thunderstruck to hear that gentleman
pronounce it Il forgery. Ellen, OverpOwered
10y this accumulated weight of evidence, did
what she should have done at frst-acknowl-
edged her participation in the guilt. No
shelter of excuse was now left her. tor false
hood eileetually precluded ali attempts at pal
iiatiOn, and debarred her from all Opportuni-
ties of appealing for sympathy.
MIR. ID. suffered her to remain beneath his
root, but kept alOof from her rs some thing in
fectious. Mrs. ID. S heart yearned towards her
errlng child, and she would fain have wound
her arms around her in fond embrace and for
given her SHINING, but her husband restrained
her, and IN compliance with his wishes she con-
ceaied from Ellen every sentiment of pity. Her
brothers condemned her for bringing disgrace
up them, aud even the servants treated her
without respect, and as their whims and tan
c!eS suggested.
IiuS "sts lEtS Culiu Vi iEOuSntIeSS lNuul-
gence and criminal neglect-wEo had been
praised and petted by every Que in her father $
house, save that father him.elf-reduced, N
such brIet space, to abject misery, and sub
Jected uurelentingly to modification and C-
suit. Her soul was narrowed with dreadful
iorcbOdIngs, and perpleXed with dismal doubts,
yet no word Of encouragement was uttered TO
cheer her in her dependency. The sad re-
versal was enough 10 drive the strong mi uded
to lie e;klesSness, and how uiuch more than sufi
cient then, to sink to the lowest abyss OF ago
nlznS dcSi air, poor deceived and untutorcd
Child How perfect a system to render her an
easy prey to any one So void Of humanity Us
10 desire 10 plunge her into that depth OF iu-
| fanny from whence there is no door of escape
save death Ellens was an affectionate heart,
needing encouragement aud advice, and When
thpse whose duty 1t was to console her, turned
away with lOathing, or spoke Only To rcuroach
1T Was but natural that she should lend ready
car 10 sympathetic language though uttered by
q stranger lips.
In this distressing situation she attracted the
attention of Frederick Bouldin. Mr. B Was Il
9 man of the world" lie enjoyed an ample
fortune and numerous friends, and WIs Il joviaI,
gencrouS-hearted gentleman, fond Of pleasure
and accustomed TO bes;Ow favuTs with lavish
hand ON III, So with whom he mingled. But the
most brilliant trait in his character was hi,
true sympathy for human suffering no matter
III what form Of its manifold existence he found
1t. Lie was ever ready TO utter words of con
| soiation and dispense relief, but frequently lis
methods Of carrying out what his noble i'm
pulses dictated, were incOnsideratc AMI crratic
In company with his lovely wife he was often
| "A visitor at Mr.. Darrell's, and noticing the
suffering Of Ellen, and the uncharitabe treat
mcnt OF which she was the Submissive re-
ciplent, his compassion was excited, and he was
| prompted to converse with and endcayor to
en Itr tln h.a- -, a., l.
| suggested various modes of relieving her dis
tress, and Ellen looked upon him as her only
| friend Tor his kindness WAS the single raw of
| comfort which CLEANED in to gladden. the
| gloom enshrOuded reccsses Of her breaking
| heart. To him only she told her SOrrows aud
from him received assurances Of affection
which every one else denied her.
Her harsh treatment and desiondency finally
affected the poor girls health. Her eye lost its
wonted lustre, the roses faded from her lovely
cheek. and she was rapidly sinking away FROM
life, like Il beautiful hOweret whitening from
the blighting influence Of the arid deserts poi
sOnOus breath. 1he excited interest Of AR Il
made him quickly apprehonsive of her impend-
ing fate, unless early snatched from that chan
mel house Of her blasted affections, where they
were mOuidering in decay, and injecting the
atmosphere with desolating elements Having
resolved on saving her, he accordingly couI-
selied her to leave her parents and place her
self under his protection, promising to always
| provide cheerfully for her wants, and do all in
hls power to insure her happiness. Ellen ac-
| ceptcd tho offer, and project for her escape
was soon matuTed ami put into practice, with
out thought about the scandal which might
| originate thcrefrOm.
No doubt MIR. Il. considered this the best
p aoticalble method for restoring EIlens peace
of mind, and intended to become her true and
untIring benefactor, and in his anxiety to ac-
| compish his purposes he neglected to notice
the insuperable difficulties to be encountered
until 1t was too late to profit by such reiec-
ti0ns. Not until she was fairly away from the
| house she had learned to hate, did it occur to
him that future residence must be provided
for her. Necessity then compelled precipitate
! action, and left no opportunity for choice. Mr..
BOuldin being widely known in D., beloved it
| Indispensable to place Ellen in some obscure
| retreat, lest his own character should be com
promised, and what was Of infinitely more i'm
portance, in his opinion, his wiie's tranquility
be forever destroyed.
TO BE CONTINUED.