The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-08-13

your looks belle the kindness of your words
Your manner is constrained-you shrink
from me, and those eloquent eyes love te
look into are turned awny-Lut you tremble
you are again ill-let Inc support you te
this couch!'
Isabella hastily extricated herself from
the arms that so tenderly cncircled her
seated herself beside work table, and point
ing TO lounge opposite replied
81 am quite we'll now, but have had much
TO make me uneasy and anxious since we
last met, listen to me patiently, and will
recount the circumstances to which allude'
Sir Philip composed himself into an atti
tude Of Observation-Disclosures his fair be-
trothed's misery uncle was dead, and his will
in her favor likely to he contested. With
great effort she steadied her voice, and fix
ing her sorrowfu gaze upon him
81 need not remind you Of the very unjust
anger you displayed the other evening, but,
after sleepless night, cndcavorcd to for
get the annoyance by mitigating the sor-
rows Of others, and left home yesterday
morning on one Of those visits to the poor
of which you have so often expressed your
disapprobatiou."
Simply for your own sake, my dearest" :"
he interrupted. "Whilc admiring the bcuev-
olence which prompts them, I cannot but
feel alarmed when you expose your health
to the pernicious influence Of the unwholc
some air in the miserable dcns you enter"
Isabella proceeded
LAS was leaving one Of the miserable
dens you describe, the mistress of it begged
Inc to visit young woman residing in one
of her garrets. She was poor seamstress,
who had worked very hard to support her
self and child; but the little one was ill
dying, the parish docter said, for want Of
fresh air and proper nourishment and,
with her waiing babe constantly in her
arms, the unhappy woman could work no
longer"
Sir Philip drew forth his elegant port
monnae, bu, Isabella rcpulsed it with a
gesture Of dis,lain, saying
The smallest Of those silver coins is
greater than the average Of her daily earn
ngs, and the price Of that glt,e,ing Lauble
might have saved the life of her child.
hurried up to Eer wre,ched room," she con-
tinued, rising in her excitement, and stand
ing before the perplexed and dismaycd bar
onet. "She was rocking her moaning infant
and her song struck a chill to my heart it
was tho Spanish air had learned because
you loved it, Philip. Nay, hear me out y"
for he would have risen-"At first, this
unhappy mother seemed suspicious Of me;
but when she saw wept at the sutferings
Of her boy, her own grief burst forth in sobs
and words, and she told mo her sad and
mournful history. need not tell you her
name, nor that Of her betraycr, nor recount
the broken promises in the i,npassioned
letters she showed me. Yet little longer"
she aid,5restraining his impatience, "aud 1
have done. While l was yet with them,
the babe became worse and died"
And at the remembrance Of the mothers
passionate grief, Isabella covered her face
with her hands, and wept.
Sir Philip turned to the window TO re-
gain his self:possession, and collect his IDEAS
Tor the penitent speech he felt himself un-
der the huniliating necessity of making.
Taking bis seat beside his still weepinea
mistress
Il deeply Regret" he said, "this unfortu
nate circumstance, but my Isabella has too
much good sense, to punish me for events
which occurred before knew the delights
Of pure and lifelong affection-events,
too, which ! have bitterly repented."
Miss Grandby remained silent, and Sir
Philip felt constrained to proceed.
"This is most unpleasant subject to
discuss with lady, bat my beloved may
rest assured that have, in every way, acted
honorably.by this young person.
-"Honorably" Isabella repeated, with
bitter emphasis. Il heard that your steward
prnctually doled but weekly balfeown,
forthe maintenance of your child a pit
tance that has just sufiiced 10 afford it a
shelter. When looked round the miser-
able room, remembered with horror and
indignation, Sir Philip Deyerils proud
boast, that no English gentleman more care.
folly stadied the comforts Of bis dolnestics
than himself, even to providing she stewards
table with wine!' 49,
Utterly abashed, be extended his hands
imploringty, and asked 5..e -. 81 p.
what csp I say that ,sill lsuficie6tly ex.
brsss my sono and repentance =, Z B y;
- our actions, not your xorda;n shsquick.
u teplisa, amust prove iss featity; for my:
self q only srsnajns 10 cay farsNsll.,' ~.