The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-07-18
From the Atlantic Nonthiy
FRIEND ElYS DkU6hTER.
CONCLUSION.
~

".
True aud firm and self reliant as was the
nature of Aseuath Mitchenor, the thought
I of resistance to her fathers will never cross
ed her mind. II was fixed that she must
renounce all intercourse with Richard Hill
ton; it was even sternly forbidden her to
see him again during the few hours he re-
mained ia the house; but the sacred love,
thus rudeiy dragged to the light and outra-
ged, was still her own. She would take it
back into the keeping of her heart. and if a
day should ever come when he would be
free to return and demand it of her, he
would find it there, unwithered, with all
the unbreathed perfume boarded in its fol-
ded leaves. Ii that day came not, she
would at the last give it back TO God, say
ing; Father, here is Thy most precious
gift: bes.ow i. AS Thou wilt
As her life had never before been agita.
ted by any strong emotion, SO i was not
ou,wardly agitsted now. The placid wa
ters of her soul did not hcave and toss be-
fore those winds of passion and sorrow:
they lay in dull, leaden calm, under a cold
and sunless sky. Wha. struggles with her
self she underwent no one ever knew
After Richard Hilton's departure. she never
mentioned his name, or referred. in any way,
to the summers companionsip with him
She performed her household dnties, if not
cheerfully, at least as punctually and care
fully as BEFORE and her father congratulated
himself that the unfortunate attachment had
struck no deeper root. Abigaips finer sight.
however, was not deceived by this external
resignation. She noted the faint shadows
under the eyes, the increased whteness Of
the temples, the unconscious traces OF pain
which sometimes played about the dlmpied
corners Of the mouth, and watched her
daughter with silent, tender solici,ude.
The wedding of Moses was severe test
of Asenath's strength, but she stood the
trial nobly, performing all the duties requir-
ed by her position with such sweet compo-
sure thai many of the older female Friends
remarked to Abigail, "How womanly Ase-
nath has grown!" Eli Kitchener noted,
with peculiar satisfaction, that the eyes of
the y.upg Friends of them of great
promise in the sect, and we'll endowed with
worldly goods-followed her admiringly.
1T viii not be long" he thought. ''before
she is consoled.''
Fortune seemed to favor his plans, and
justify his harsh treatment of Richard Hill
ton. There were unfavorable accounts of
the young mans conduct. His father had
died during the winter. and he was repre-
sented as having become very reckless and
These reports at last assumed
such definite form that Friend Mitchenor
brought them TO the notice OF his family.
Il met Josiah Comley in the road,' said
be. one day at dinner. HES pstcomc from
Philadelphia, and brings bad news of Rich.
ard Hilton. He's taken to drink. and is
spending in wickedness the money his faith
er left him. His friends have a great con-
Germ about him. but it seems he's not to be
Abigail looked imploringly at her hus-
band, but he either disregarded failed to
understand her look. Asenath who hal
grown very pale, steadily met her fathers
gaze. and said In tone which he had never
yet heard from her lips
Father, will thee please never mention
Richard HiIton's name when | am by?"
The words were those of entreaty, but
voice was that of authority. The old man
was silenced by nc W and unexpected pow
er in his daughters heart: he suddenly felt
that she was not girl, as heretofore. but a
woman, whom he might persuade. but could
no longer compel.
cit shall be as thee wishes, Asenath. be
said; ..we had best forget him
Of their friends, however, she could not
expect this reserve, ard she was doomed 10
hear stories Of Richard which clouded and
embttered her thoughts Of him. And a
still severer trial was in store. She accom-
panied her father. in obedience to his wish,
and against her own desire, TO the Yearly
Meeting in Philadelphia. II has passed into
a proverb, that the Friends, on these occa-
sions. always bring rain with them; and the
period of her visit was no exception to the
rule. The showery days of yearly Meet
ing Week" glided by, unit the last, and she
looked forward with relief to the morrow's
return to Bucks county. glad to have escaped
a meeting with Richard Hilton. which might
have confirmed her fears, and could bat
have given her pain in any case.
AS she and her father joined each other.
outside the meeting house, at the close of
the afternoon meeting. light rain was fall
ing. She took his arm, under the capacious
umbrella. and they were soon alone in the
wet streets, on their way to the house Of the
Friends who entertained them. AT cross
ing. where the water, pouring down the gut
ter towards the Delaware, caused them
to halt, man, FLASHING through the
food, staggered towards them. With
out an umbrella, with dripping, disordered
clothes. yet with hot, flushed face, around
which the long black hair hung wildly, be
approached, singing to himself, with maud
lin voice, q song which would have been
sweet and tender in lovers mouth
Friend Michenor drew to one side, lest his
spotess drab should be brushed by the un-
clean reveller; but the latter, looking up.
stopped suddenly, face to face with them.
"Asenaih!" he cried, in voice whose an
guish pierced through the confusion of his
senses, and struck down into the sober quick
Of his soul.
"Richsrdr' che hres,hed, rather than
spoke. in a low, terrified voice.
1t was indeed Richard Hilton who stood
before her, or rather--as she afterwards
thought, in recalling the interview-the
body Of Richard Hilton. possessed by an
evil spirit. Hi, cheek. burned with more
than hectic red. HE eyes were wild and
bloodsfiot, and though the recognition had
suddenly scbsred hin, az impatient, reck
les. devil seemed to lurk under the mask