Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-09-04
Ii ir,CEI NEOUS.
BARTLE CLIFFS.
AN OLD MANS CONFESSION.
By HELEN HARCoURT.

useful in warning others from the rock upon
which l madly wrecked my youth and innocence.
We lived near the sea, my brother and Lin
the lordy mansion which had been the homo OF
our family for generations.
Sir Arthur Grey, our father, had died
some ten years prior to the period to which my
narrative refers, leaving his two SONS to the
guardianship OF their mother, as noble a woman
ever drew the breath of life.
Scarce six months passed away, however, ere
she, too, followed him to the grave, and we, her
sorrowing children, were left alone in the world
alone L say, for we were tho last in our line,
and mono remained to whom we could look for
advice or guidance, until we should have attain
ed All age when We might confidently rely upon
our own Judgment.
Albert was several years my senior, and con-
sequontly tho head OF our house, the possessor
Of the family estate, while 1, AZ the younger
SON. inherited only tic comparatively small sum
which had been our mothers marriage dover.
Such an uneven distribution of the honors and
wealth of the family, would it might naturally
have boen supposed, hayo tended to excite;
jealonsies and disputes between
us Yet such was far from being tho case;
passionately attached to each other from earliest
became only the stronger and more earnesJ.
Not shade OF jealousy that Albert should pos-
sess 30 much more than l, ever entered my
breast, not n shadow of dlstrust Of my loyalty
Quietly and calmly our lives glided on, until we
attained to years of maturity Noble, tender and
generous, Albeit assidu0usly strove to make me
feel that was equally master with himself of all
the wealth and luxury by which We were SUR
rounded, and thesseryants were taught to respect
myslightest word, oven as they did his own. Never
lived Two brothers more devotedly attached than
We, aud doubtless tho same perfect harmony
would have endured to tho end OF our lives but
for the coming into our neighborhood of one
who, though pure and innocent as the lily was
yet destined to bring sin and sorrow into our
hitherto cloudless skies.
Yet no lot me not say that it WAS she who
darkened our lives it was 1, ], and the demon
within me what had she, gentle, tender.heart-
ed, and good to do with sin? Nothing l alone
transgressed. II is d bitter confession to make,
but make it honestly.
1t was a calm, clear morning when Albert and
l, as was our wont, mounted our horses and set
forth for gallop across the country. Laughing
and talking, we held merrily on our way, and
had well nigh gained the summit of the steep
cliffs whose rocky front overhung the sea, when
sounds as OF a horse coming down the road at
full speed attracted our attention, and turning,
we beheld sight that thrilled us with horror.
black horse, with bent head, and flashing
eyes, came laundering down towards us, regard
less Of the feeble resistance Of his rider, fair
girl of some eighteen or nineteen summers
She was a stranger to us, and having an intimate
acquaintance with the gentry for miles around,
we both leaped to the conclusion that she must
be the daughter of Major Clemens, who had
Just come into the neighborhood, having in fact,
rented handsome cottage belonging to Alberts
estate.
But the moment was not one for speculation
concerning the fair riders name or station her
life WAS in danger nay, but for our presence,
she must infalbly have been lost, for AZ the
black steed bounded toward us, we saw that he
was making straight for the verge of the cliff,
and that no effort Of his rider could either re-
strain his pace or turn HIM aside.
We must block the road, Albert cried,-
"rein across to the right, will take the left !"
Quick az thought, we turned our animals across
the narrow road and then, i'll breathless ankle
ty, awaited the shock. That the runaway would
halt seeing the obstacles in his path, we
scarcely dared hope no, the fiery steed WAS too
frenzed to be thus checked in his course he
would attempt to leap over us,-either Albert or
myself, and the one left at liberty must take
advantage OF the moment of hia rearing to
seize the bride rein, and arrest his headloDg
flight.
On, on, thundered the black horse his rider
pale but calm,-oh how my heart thrilled
with admiration as markell the easy grace with
which she sat on her steed, and the firm grasp
Of the reins, even in that moment Of terrible
balance. On, on, rushed the maddened animal,
his glossy breast necked with foam on, on,
with unabated speed, and crouched low in the
saddle as he swept down the left side of the
road
But suddenly he swerved and turning to the
right. reared for the leap with quick, sud
den motion, Albert threw himself along the OPP
poste side OF his well trained steed, but ere the
black horse could spring, my hand was on his
bride rein, and slipping from my trusty roam,
| threw my whole weight upon it. pang of
terrible doubt shot through my heart az | did
so; what if the reid should give way beneath the
strain? But it did not trembling the runaway
STOOD dropping his head as though ashamed OF
his mad race. He was conquered, and now
that the danger was over, his riders sten6th
suddenly failed her.
Albert corning up to congratulate her on her
escape was just in time to receive her droop-
ing form in his arms, and reverently to lay her
down upon the turf at the roadside. Still and
pale she rosted there, even as one dead, and
while We chafed her cold hands, we had
ample time to note the rare beauty of her deli
cately chiseled face. Gentleness, truth, cam
dor, were written in every feature never be-
fore had looked on 80 lovely being, and
wild impulse seized me, to gather her up in my
arms, and dare the whole world to take her
from me.
AT length she opened her eyes and fixed them
inQuiringly upon Alberts face; then as full con-
aciousness returned deep blush dyed cheeks
and brow, and she struggled to her feet, although
but for AlberL's supporting arm, she must have
fallen to the ground
81 thank you, gentlemen, she said, in a low
musical voice. " But for you should have been
dashed over the cliffs. Yon have saved my life
at tho risk OF your own, and l shall never forget
the debt We've, my father and love you.
Poor Sem," she added stroking the neck of her
painting steed, " Il gun fired from field near by
startled him, and lie grew wild with fright; he il
quito right now, and 30 am l. Will you kindly
aid me to mount again ~
In speecless confusion (what had come over
mo wondered), bowed and complied with her
i hope you will not think me presuming,"
said Albert, " il ask permission for my brother
and myself to escort you home. We cannot al
low YOU TO trust yourself alone with a horse 30
recently unmanageble. Permit me first, how
ever to introduce my brother, Mr.. Richard Grey
-and-I believe address Miss Clemens Yes?
Then myself may claim the honor of being
your landlord"
"Ah ! Sir Albert Grey l have heard my faith
er speak of your generosity IN regard to the COT
tage he has rented of you,-and now you have
laid us under still greater obligation"
Not 30 ~ exclaimed Albert, warmly, " it is
my brother whom you must thank. had moth
ing to do in arresting your runaway steedi you
owe your life entirely to his bravery. simply
placed my horse across the path,-he stopped
Yours at the risk of his lfe."
She turned towards me at this, and extended
| her hand, with few sweetly spoken words or
gratitude, which amply repaid me for all the
| danger had run.
| Al the door of her fathers dwelling we drew
rein, and gladly acceded to the atters invitation
| to enter .., 4, .
| That was our first visit the beginning OF the
| sin and sorrow that were to como. Weekly, dali
| l.. .l,a,, hourly xyara wa to be found at