Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-11-28
Tlle Attist's 9ore
THE LOVE ROMANCE
OF
BENJAMIN WEST.
A STORY OF BLOPEMENT,

| Something more than u hundred years
ago; when Philadelphia was little more than
a large village, the spacious old fashioned
mansion of Mr.. Shcwell, which stood in
one of the principal streets, was of the arls-
tocraiic class of dwellings. He was proud
and hard man, and thought much of the
distinction of his family, to say nothing of
his wealth. At the time of our narrative
his sister Elizabeth, an orphan, was a mem
Der of his family, and dependent ON him for
support. She was never belle In the bril-
liant circles of that period, for her beauty
was of that soft and touching kind which
wins gradually upon the heart rather than
strikes the senses like that of the more daz
zlng order. She usually wore her dark
brown hair parted in waves over low
white forehead, and her complexion was of
that clear paleness which better interprets
the varying phases of feeling than more
brilliant color. Her eyes were dark gray,
and so shadowed by thick and long lashcs
that they seemed black in the imperfect
light; her small, rosy mouth had slight
compression of the lips that betokened de-
termination and strength of will. The SUI
pcrb curve of her neck and the rounding of
her shoulders would have enchanted stat
uary. Her nature, too soft and clinging for
the yotc Of leadership in society, had yet a
iirmness that promised full development
whenever called into action through her af
| fcctions.
| She had already come into collision with
the iron will of her brother, and that in a
point which she could not yield. One af-
trrnoon there had been words between
those so near in blood. Mr.. Shewell an
grily paced the handsomely furnished parlor
where the stormy interview had taken
place. His features were marked by strength
bordering on hardness, and the heavy frown
on his brow did not render them more pre-
possessing. The young girl was seated in
an attitude of deep detection, and wiped
away al intervals the tears that stole silently
down her checks.
Suddenly Mr.. Shewel stopped before her
and said. with sternness his effort to speak
mildly could not overcome:
''Once for all ask, Elizabeth, will you
do as l wish?"
81 can not, brother, she answered. look
ing up.
lie had been urging her to marry a
wealthy sutor
81 have told Mr.. ---my mind" con-
tinued the young girl, encouraged by her
brothers silence, "andil is not to his credit
that he should apply to you after knowing
my feelings"
Elizabeth, exclaimed Mr.. Shewcll,
with violence that startled her, 81 will
know the reason of this obstinacy. Once
my wish was law to YOU"
'.And so it is, and so il shall be, brother,
in all things right. But can not do what
duty, virtue, RELIGION forbid; / can not ut
ter false VOWS
No more Of this nonsensc." cried the
brother Your duty is To tlo MS | counsel
for your good your religion is worthless
I ifit teiches disobedicnce to your natural
protector. Mr.--is the husband | have
chosen for you"
''But can not lave him, and therefore
| will not marry him, answered the grrl,
firmly.
"Will not =
mo, brother.
"Ill tell you whom Sou shall not marry,
.hen!" cried Mr.. Shcwel, angrily. "Thc
bcggarly young Quaker on whom you have
thrown away your affections! Hal us the
girls face flushed the deepest crimson, it
is for him you have rejected the excellent
offers made to you within the last year.
Now listen, Eliza You are not to see
nor speak with that rascal of Il painter
again, Do you Lear me Z"
81 do, brother WAS the faint reply.
''Givc me your word that you will never
speak 10 him again.
81 can not, she iallcrcd; and violent
burst of tears choked her voice.
SEQ TO your chamber!' cried the brother.
81 will take care of you, sinccyou will moi
take care of yourself Not word, but go.
And MS the weeping girl quilted the parlol
Mr.. Shewell called up the servants, and laid
his iniunctions upon them, one and all, tc
refuse atlmittance to Ben West" should
he ever present himself at the door; and OF
no account 10 convey to him any communica'
ton from their young mistress, on the pen
atty of severe punishment.
Elizabeth retired TO her chamber, and wep
long over her brothers austcrity, wonder
ing who had betrayed TO him the closely
kept secret of her love. After many conjcc
lures her suspicious fastened to the righ
person il was, il could be no other thar
her rejected suitor who, in the hope of fur
thering his own views, had informed Mr.
Shewell of her interviews and corrcspon
dence with the young artist. How she hate'
! him for the mean betrayal How size long
ed for the moment TO pour out on him th
scorn she felt! But her heart was made TO
genter emotions than the desire Of ven
l geance, and her thoughts were soon turne'
to plan how she might effect Il reconciliation
between her brother and her plighted lov
er. As it grew toward dusk she arose, pu
on her cloak and hood, and bidding faith
iul negress, a slave, attend her, went to til
house of a friend where she had been accus
toned of late to meet the youth to whor
: she had promised her hand.
|, The lovers met and parted with lingerin
pledges of affection and promises of truth
> promises that through all changes and char
. ces their faith should be kept inviolate
= that no interference should prevent the fu
: fillmcnt of their VOWS when fortune remt
?, ?, yed the barrier that now interposed. The
IA parted to meet no more for long, long year
/, the boy arts, to his toll as yet unrewardc
70 b, fame or gold, to his dreams of brlgl
=, future, and cheerful hopes destined TO man
-, disappointment ere the goal was won; Il
T. maiden to her solitary, secluded chcrshr
7 of the one dear trust which alone gave Ii
" its value; to sorrow and strife ana tria
y which strengthen and purify faith
the loving heart. II was late before 81