The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-06-15

lions are warmes and also puTest, that Alice
Steel met William Hayward. It was time
when the heart is young and guieless. Then
the affairs ofthis world pas S over US ike sum-
mer clouds across the sun, without shadow
and leaving behind nothing but brightness. -
The hopes of the future are all modelled from
the unsulled happiness fthe present, when e.
ven that present, blissul as it may be, is re-
linqnished for the sill brighter glorirg of the
inauguration or, when, if cloud gathers Oh
the horizon, the young heart delights to bound
away and bask in the sunshine Of an imagi-
navy dream, rather than freeze in the chilling
atmosphere of cold reality. He was IN the
spring time of life. Youth bad shed its radi-
ance over his countenance OF manly beauty,
and he was accomplished in those graces which
secure admiration, while bis fascinating man
ners, and engaging address, caPtlvated the
hearts of Ill who knew him. He was a schol-
ar and distinguished one but he had been too
| eager in his pursuit after collegiate honors, ant
his health had been exhausted BY his too ardu-
Gus labours. He bad just recovered from Sc
we're illness, brought on by intense study and
the slightly delicate hue, gave, perhaps, greater
interest 10 his appearance. The roses had with
cred from his cheek, and his eye beamed with
a milder lustre. His forehead was pale as mar
bic, and his black glossy hair, curing over II,
seemed like the wing of raven lying on a
wreath of snow.
Through the clergyman of The village, Hay
ward had been introduced to the father OF Al
ice Steel, and as he had repaired to the country
for the benefit of his health, he, at the invita-
ton Of Mr.. Steel, became bis guest during his
stay. Alice and he were thus continually To-
gether and the result was unavoidable. They
/ were of an age, when the heart is most suscep-
tible, and when, more than at any other period.
the mind is inclined to admire everything ami
able. She delighted him with her simplicity,
and be would hang over her, drinking 10 long
draughls OF love from those large blue eyes OF
hers SO full Of soul and tenderness.
Time rolled on and its fight was imperceP-
tible. Alice centered every thought, every at
fiction Oh the being who seemed TO her, per-
fiction. She had lived retired and secluded
from the world, and the appearance of Hay
ward, had opened new page in the chapter
of her existence. He was rich in all those al
fractions calculated to make an impression upon
the heart OF a sensitive girl, and IN her breast
he had awakened those ndeScribable feelings
of which, before, the very existence had been
unknown TO her. Hayward's parents died
when he was yet young he was accordingly
placed under the care of some distant relations
of his father, who were appointed his guardians
During his boyhood, he had been under the
greatest restraint, and when he escaped from
the jealous guardianship Of home TO the com
paralve freedom of college lie, he devoted
himself too closely TO study, TO enjoy, IN IFS foil
extent, bis additional liberty. His whole life
/ had been passed with books. They were hls
only friends almost bis only companions, and
Alice Steel flashed across his sight like being
/ from another world. He bad become wearied
of hunting among dusty iolios for the records OF,
to him, unlnterssting events, and Of porlng over
the lives OF men, whose names had been per-
petuated, but by their crimes. His heart bad
long yearned to fix its affections upon some be-
ing, who might recipgocate, and sympathize
with his feelings. He was indulging in such
dreams, when be first saw Alice. He had read
of beauty, of all commanding, maddening beau
ty beauty which had caused man 10 forget
his God, and gods TO forget their nature; but
he esteemed it fabulous, and the poets wild I'M
imagining. Now he saw it ; now it was present
N h,m. not indeed IN the all commanding blaze
of majesty but IN allthe winning charms of sim
plicity and truth. They loved and were happy,
and as they sat in the calm moonlight, when
their hearts were too fall |or utterance, they
thought that the dim and misty world before
them the bright blue sea Of heaven above
them. with its thousand isles Of stars, IFS light,
vaporing clouds, like spirits OF the blessed look
ing down, 10 that still hour, on the land of sin
and sorrow they had left behind they thought
then. that these, with all their glorIes, could
not possess happiness greater than theirs.
Time wore away, and the period arrived
when it was necessary for Hayward 10, again,
resume his studies. With heavy heart, he
bade bis betrothed adieu. A heavy heart too
he left behind him. 1t was in vain that Alice
tried 10 console herself with the idea that be
would soon return or, that his letters would
soothe The pain OF his absence. The thought,
ote was here and is gone," would ever be up
permost in her mind. She could not Danish il
I she MIGHT read. but William had recited the