know how she was-expecting to receive the intelli- | ture of Tyler from her belt, and pointing to it, said, gence. But now she could wait no longer. "The fool "Though I might blush to own it, my heart is still has got no heart," said she, as she mixed a cup of poi- there. I am sorry that any thing from me has made son, intending to do herself for Dorcas, what she thought you desert your home. Return there, and be happy. her too 'pusillanimous' to attempt. "But no! this is On this vessel you address me not at all, or only as a the last night: she may have reserved herself for this. passing acquaintance." Let her kill herself if she will, and then I shall be revenged on her soul too, if she has one. But if she is alive to-morrow morning, her shroud shall be made before nightfall;" and with this hellish design, she put the deadly mixture into the sideboard.

Dorcas' room was an eastern wing of the house, and opened into the yard. Hither she repaired on that momentous night.

In the meantime, solitary amid the gaieties of Paris, with them, but not of them, Tyler came to himself. "What if I have been unjust ?" said he, after returning one night from a crowded saloon. The next dawn saw him on his way to Bellevue.

His aunt met him at the door.

"Where is Dorcas ?" said he, hurriedly.
"Gone!"

"And Roberts?"

"Gone too with her!" She intimated they had eloped. Tyler went to his room with a stricken heart. He threw himself on the bed; and shortly after, an old woman, a house servant, brought a letter, saying Miss Dorcas had left it. With a trembling hand he tore it

Roberts, thinking this the most favorable time for his designs, had stationed a carriage in the road, under the idea she could then be the more easily persuaded or compelled to abandon a place where she must die with misery, and retire to one of secrecy, where she could brood over her sorrows alone-without being mocked by the presence of Tyler, as the husband of another.open, and readThis was to be his pretext; but once in his power, he intended to force her into a compliance with his importunities. He saw her enter the room, and felt his heart fail him as she sank upon her knees, and committed herself to the Father of the fatherless. A noise disturbed him, and he hastily retreated in an opposite direction, but still not so far but that he could see the candle burning. He watched patiently for nearly an hour: still it burned on. He stole up closer, yet saw no onecrept nearer-nearer-lifted the latch-opened, entered the door-the room was empty!

Maddened with rage, he stood undecided for a moment, and then proceeded toward the carriage. "Curse it!" muttered he, as he told the postillion he should have no more use for him that night.

“Looking for a lady, master?" said the man, who had been employed on such duties before; "cause I seed one get into the diligence when it came along, about a half an hour ago."

The thought struck him that Dorcas had banished herself from home. "The very thing!" said he; "drive on; follow the diligence, but do not catch up with it. See where she gets out, and then we part."

The horses dashed on. Morning revealed the object of their pursuit about a mile ahead. At breakfast they ascertained that a pale young lady, closely wrapped up, was one of the passengers. They followed on to London-saw where it stopped; and to the joy of Roberts, Dorcas left it and entered the hotel. Towards evening, he saw her driven away in a carriage, and was told that she had gone on board an American packet that was to start the same night. At midnight, he had himself conveyed on board the same vessel, just before she weighed anchor, and left England--forever! In the morning, when the passengers came on deck, Doreas was thunderstruck to behold Roberts standing before her. He addressed her

"I have not a word of reproach. I love you too well to embitter one drop in your cup of joy. Be happy with your bride; and sometimes, when far separated from you by the waste of waters, cast a thought on DORCAS."

Stupified at first, and then frenzied, he rushed with the letter to his mother, and in an unguarded moment, drew from her the foul conspiracy.

Snatching her by the arm, he dragged her to his aunt, whom he also seized in the same manner, and thus confronted the guilty pair.

"Speak!" shouted he; "confess! or rather spare your confession, you fiend! My mother has confessed for you, you foul hypocrite!"

Mrs. Harris condensed her features into a withering expression of hatred, and rejoined-

"Your mother? do you call that thing your mother?" "Yes! and you are a woman, or you should be taught how to speak of her."

"And who was your father?"

Mrs. Ethelwaite burst out in a wild, piercing scream, and fell dangling from the unrelaxed arm of Tyler. "My father died before I was born; but what is that to you?"

"He might have been your father, but he never was her husband! But listen to me, Tyler Ethelwaite."

Tyler did listen till she cast the foul blot on his birth; and then the thought flashing on him that it had been involved in mystery, he fiercely clenched both his hands round her throat, and flinging her with all his might against the wainscotting, rushed from the house in a raging madness, and rode in a frenzy towards London.

When Mrs. Harris recovered from her stunning fall, she saw no one in the room but her sister, still lying where she had fallen when Tyler released her from his grasp.

"And so you thought me a fool like yourself, to be trifled with and betrayed with impunity," said she, touching her scornfully with her foot. But immediately she started back in horror

Her sister was dead!

She walked away mechanically, and opened the side-
There was the fatal cup she had prepared for
Like Judas Iscariot, she felt that she had be-

board. "Mr. Roberts, this will not do." She took a minia-Dorcas.

I had just left college, well satisfied with my aca"Sooner than the devils hoped, arrived in hell!". demic laurels, and the progress which I had made in When Tyler reached London, he immediately has-literary pursuits, recollecting little of the past with tened around from quay to quay, inquiring incoherently regret, and anticipating a bright future of success and if any one had seen Dorcas. Repeated insults aroused happiness. The next step I thought would bring me him to a sense of the fruitlessness of his search, till when turning away in despair, he was met by one of the lower order of the police, who said to him significantly—

into the world-the glad, busy world, which in the distance had always appeared so inviting. The privi lege of laying aside studies imposed by others, and making free choice of a profession, is so gratifying to a boy's restless and eager spirit, that it gives him fine ideas of his own importance. And the temporary confusion which it produces in his mind, makes him feel like an independent actor amid the world's bustle and

He put a guinea in his hand and awaited his intelli- conflicting elements. Soon, however, when he finds

"Well now, that's clever. Pale, and wrapped up his own taste, but superintended by his former guaras if she didn't want nobody to see her?"

"Seed her myself-went aboard the ship Caroline, and is this minute three days out, bound for Ameriky." Tyler having given him another guinea, took ship immediately in another packet that was just starting for the same port. On the way, enlivened by the prospect of finding Dorcas, he became more calm. He had a rough passage, and during a gale was the happy in-ear and unmeasured encouragement to all my extravastrument of saving the captain's life.

Nancy, which had been put into my hands just in the | I have seen her only once, so that I know little of her bustle of starting, and which I had thrust into my personal appearance except from hearsay; yet all agree pocket, without breaking the seal, intending to give it a leisurely perusal at the first opportunity. I had written to her a few days before, requesting a letter to Mrs. Richmond, with whom I knew she had been well acquainted in her school-girl days. Her kind epistle, covering what I desired and expected, a very flattering note of introduction, was as follows:

“My dear Henry,

that she is very like a portrait of her mother, taken just after marriage. If so, she is no doubt beautiful; but of this judge for yourself. It is no part of my object to excite in you, by anticipation, the least interest in Alice Richmond, but merely to tell you what you might not easily discover, and thoroughly understand, and what, if not understood, might cause you some painful feelings of doubt and self-distrust.

"It is a long story for a letter, but I will try to make "Inclosed you will find the letter which you request. it as brief as possible. Mr. Richmond had an elder Always happy to do you any service in my power, I sister, who, after living for some time a widow, died am doubly so in the present case, knowing how ad- about five years ago, leaving a son, the only survivor vantageous and interesting may be to you the acquaint- of four children: all the rest had died in infancy. At ances you are about to form. I have been intimate the period of which I speak Edward Stockton was with Mrs. Richmond ever since our days of girlhood; nearly sixteen, and, on his mother's death, was taken and, though for several years we have been far sepa- into his uncle's family, where he resided, for almost two rated, friendship has been kept alive, if indeed it were years, the constant companion of Alice, and treated in possible for it to languish, by a frequent correspondence. every respect as if he had been her brother. You may We first met while at school in Bethlehem, just when easily imagine that the intimacy and affection which our young hearts were beginning to expand to à capa- sprung up between these two young hearts was of no city for lasting affection. The loves of childhood are ordinary kind. Together they studied under private evanescent; and the alliances of mature years, founded preceptors, and together were joined in nearly all their on calculating selfishness, engage not half the warm amusements. Being educated entirely at home, they feelings of our souls. But there is an intermediate sea- knew nothing of the world, and had few acquaintances son, a time when the first bloom of spring has faded, of their own age even in the adjacent town, the popuand before the fruits of autumn are gathered, which lation of which is principally engaged in manufactures, sheds a 'tint of rose,' more permanent than the colors and did not furnish many young people of either sex of May flowers upon the face of nature. There is a at all suited, by birth or education, to be companions season between the trifling sports and wayward caprice for Edward and Alice. I have already spoken of having of childhood, and the chastened feelings of ripe age, once seen her. It was about a twelvemonth after her when the affections gush forth, as even warm and un-aunt's death, when I spent a few hours only with Mrs. controlled, in streams that fail not even when the source | Richmond. She was then a wild, light-hearted girl, seems dry-when the heart has long ceased to beat with any new emotion of love.

and was just at that changeable season of female beauty, when the child's features are beginning to settle into the lineaments of adult age, and when no one can tell what of loveliness a year, or even a few months, may develope or steal away. I did not see Edward: he had

be back, in season at least to bid me good-by, dwelling with undissembled interest on the topic, he did not come at the time appointed. When she kissed my cheek at parting, and I expressed regret at not seeing him, I thought a tear trembled in her soft blue eye, as she said

"When Mary Harrison, soon after she left school, married Mr. Richmond, we parted, and since then I have seen her only at long intervals and for a few hours at a time. For my sake she will show you kindness-gone a hunting; and though Alice was sure he would kindness which you should repay, in the only manner it is probable you can make any return, by duly appreciating and carefully acknowledging it. You will find her a woman of highly cultivated mind, agreeable manners, and above all, of a warm, affectionate heart. Of Mr. Richmond I know very little from personal acquaintance. You are well aware of his high reputation as a lawyer, and may be assured, that, as a man, he is full worthy of the trust which your father, who has long been on terms of strictest intimacy with him, reposes in his hands. I need not say anything of your duty towards a preceptor, and a father's tried friend; one to whom he has temporarily confided part of a parent's guardian office. Your own sense of right will regulate your conduct towards him, and your own perception of moral and professional worth claim for him respect and regard.

"They have but one child, a daughter named Alice, who is just on the verge of womanhood, being about a year younger than yourself—I think you were nineteen last month. Since, if you profit by your opportunities you will be intimate in the family, I ought to give you some insight into her peculiarities; or rather her peculiarity; for I believe there is but a single point in which she differs materially from other girls of her age.

"I am afraid something has happened to him: he promised to be back two hours ago, and he does not often break his promises to me.'

"Soon afterwards I received a letter from Mrs. Richmond, in which, among other things, she spoke of Edward and Alice in connection. It is now before me, and I will transcribe a few lines:

"They are inseparable companions,' she wrote, and seem never so happy as when together. They study together, read together, walk together, and play together. When Edward starts off with his gun, to spend the day in shooting, Alice accompanies him some distance beyond the garden gate, looks after him till out of sight, and then, in the evening, watches his return for whole hours. She frequently goes with him a fishing, and a sail on the small lake which skirts the farm on the west, often concludes their day's duties and pleasures. Just now, while I write, I can see them from my window, which overlooks the garden, seated to

gether under the shade of an arbor, earnestly engaged | dreamed not that love like his-for she measured it by with a book. Her arm is locked in his, while he holds her own-could change or diminish. the volume, and, alternately, they read aloud. I will see what it is, in which they appear so much interested. Excuse me for a minute.

"The next vacation came, and with it, again, Edward Stockton to his uncle's abode, accompanied by a college class-mate, with whom he had formed a friend"Lalla Rookh, and they are in the midst of 'The ship, and whom his letters had sometimes mentioned, Fire Worshippers.' All the neighbors speak of them in the highest terms of praise, as a good scholar and a as already affianced. This is not the case, though there clever fellow. On the strength of such recommendais certainly strong ground for the report. I do not tions, Mr. Richmond had given his nephew permission much like matches between cousins, but still would to invite James Elliott to spend a few weeks at Briarhave no great objection to their union, if sure that they Hill-the name which Alice had bestowed on her father's really knew their own hearts in desiring it. Neither domain-and received his guest with the greatest kindhas yet seen anything of the world, and therefore no ness, magnifying a slight acquaintance, which he had just idea can be formed of the strength of their attach-once had with the young man's father, into a just ment. It may be the creature of constant companion-ground for hospitality toward the son.

ship alone, and absence may prove it too weak for trial. Well, in another year Edward goes to college, and will then be cast more upon the world, and learn something of its ways. If after such probation he returns unchanged, I cannot throw any obstacle in the way of their happiness-a happiness which union alone can consummate; though of this perhaps they do not often think seriously.'

"So Edward went to college, but ere he parted with Alice, vows had passed between them, showing that they looked farther into the future than Mrs. Richmond gave them credit for doing. He promised to write to her at least once a week, and her answers were to be as frequent. For some time after his departure, she appeared listless and melancholy; straying over the scenes of their happy companionship, and sitting in the arbor where they had been accustomed to read together, lost in reverie. Her only pleasure seemed to be in writing to Edward, and reading his epistles. Gradually, however, she recovered her good spirits, and was again, at most times, light-hearted as before, though relapsing occasionally into gloom. For some months Edward's letters arrived regularly at the appointed season; then they became both shorter and less frequent, and he pleaded want of time and the pressure of study. Still, those that she did receive were in the same style of affection as ever, and Alice accepted the excuse, and, in her next fond epistle, begged him not to neglect his studies on her account; but, if anything happened to him-if he should be taken sick-to write immediately. This license had a very evident effect upon him; for he became more remiss than ever.

"James was indeed a 'clever fellow,' in the proper sense of the terms. He had been brought up very dif ferently from Edward—in the city, and under the sole care of a weak-minded and indulgent mother, his father being dead. He had always done as he pleased, and yet did not exhibit the petulance and overbearing carriage which spoiled children usually manifest. He had not passed his life among servants and boys of his own age, but had early lived completely in the world, always aspiring to the company of those older than himself, and readily learning their manners and habits. Having excellent natural talents, his education had been derived, young as he was, more from men and women than from books; though the tasks set for him at school were so easily accomplished, that, without much study, he had usually stood among the first of his class; a distinction which he still enjoyed in college. His mental powers, however, had been thus early developed at the expense of his heart. He was cold and selfish, susceptible to few of the finer emotions, and regulated every action by the dictates of passion or self-interest. Yet, to appearance, he was the very reverse of all this-in manner, frank, warm-hearted, affectionate, and earnest-the insinuating manner of an accomplished man of the world, assumed by a boy of eighteen. He was not regularly handsome, but the whole contour of his face was good, and his dark eyes and hair and strong features did not contrast unfavorably with the more beautiful but less masculine countenance of Edward Stockton. The latter was undoubtedly dazzled by his friend's sparkling genius and imposing manner, and had, already, begun to reflect, in some faint degree, his chief traits, though not at all suited to the natural cast of his own mind. Especially did he aspire to the character of a man of the world; and even affected some of the selfish, worldly principles which young Elliott had unguardedly exposed, or skilfully insinuated.

"The first college vacation brought him back to the longing eyes of his fair cousin. In all appearance, he still loved as fondly as before their parting; and Alice, in the excess of feeling, was wildly extravagant in her expressions of delight. Again, for several weeks, they were constantly together, joining in their former sports, "His manner toward Alice was now entirely chanreading their favorite authors, and visiting all the well-ged. He professed indeed, though but coldly, to feel the remembered haunts of their retirement-seeking loves. same strong attachment as ever; but did not, as hereOn bidding adieu the second time, Edward breathed tofore, seek to draw her away by herself, and enjoy her more fervent vows of constancy than had, at first, company alone. Words of endearment, though often warmed his lips; and Alice, fond girl, trusted in him essayed, seemed to freeze upon his lips. To be sure he as implicitly, as are wont to do they who know nothing spoke of the attentions due to his friend, to whom all of a deceitful world. Another season of gloom follow- his time must be devoted, and Alice admitted the force ed his departure, but shorter than the last. For a time of the plea, even in her own mind, but still felt the he wrote frequently and at great length, seeming to change, while hardly crediting its reality. Mr. Richpour out his soul without reserve; but, by degrees, be- mond and his wife saw more clearly the true state of came even more negligent than previously. Still Alice things, and lamented the alteration in Edward's charac

ter, yet did not see enough of James Elliott, to know | had not yet been mailed, when he received intelligence what a dangerous companion he was. The latter paid of Edward's being seriously ill. Without an hour's much more attention to Alice than did her cousin, delay he set off from home, and, on the evening of the though he knew of their betrothment; but she had soon second day, stood by the bed-side of the deluded boy, taken an invincible dislike to him-which, however, she to whom he had been, and still felt, as a father. The did not often manifest-partly, because his attentions account of his illness had not been exaggerated: his did not accord with the sadness of her feelings; partly disease was an acute inflammation of the chest, and the on account of sentiments which she had heard him utter struggle was one of life and death. But youth and a in an unguarded moment; but principally because love vigorous constitution seemed to prevail, and, a few days had given acuteness to her perceptions, and half-revealed after his uncle's arrival, he was pronounced convaleshim, to feeling rather than to reason, as the chief cause cent, though his recovery advanced by very slow of Edward's scarce realized alienation. One day, in degrees. Distress of mind seemed to retard the body's bantering her upon the subject of her attachment, he return to health. Oh! how bitter was the anguish of hinted something of her lover's attention to others, while that repentance. The poor boy could hardly wait until absent at college. Whether he did this merely to excite | his physicians allowed him to converse freely, to relieve her jealousy, as a source of passing amusement to him- his heavily burdened soul, by pouring forth, in accents self, or with the serious intention of aiding, thereby, his half-stifled by pangs of shame and remorse, the tale of own suit, certainly, the effect upon Alice was as evident his treachery to Alice, and his bondage to a woman, as he could have desired. That was the first moment whom he had always in his heart despised, and a hunthat any well defined suspicion of Edward's treachery dred times resolved, though in vain, never to visit again. had forced itself into her soul. Rising hastily, she left Of Elliott he said little, but refused to see him; and her companion, with whom she had been seated on the Mr. Richmond was not slow to understand, that his piazza at the back of the house, and hurried to the pri- nephew regarded this pretended friend as the chief vacy of her own chamber, there to give vent, in a burst cause of his numerous errors. He wrote daily to his of scalding tears, to the most bitter grief that had ever wife, or Alice, giving account of Edward's situation; overwhelmed her young heart. and, as soon as the latter was strong enough to bear the "Yet she demanded no explanation from Edward-journey, by easy stages, set out with him on the return sbe spake not one word of reproach; but only seemed more sad, and avoided as much as possible his presence. Her mother saw, directly the change, and with ease divined its cause; and soon, the tale of a daughter's crushed feelings and blighted soul was poured into her bosom, now throbbing with maternal anxiety.

home.

"As they approached Briar Hill, Edward seemed to feel great misgivings in regard to the meeting with his cousin; and, when the white chimnies of the house and the tall trees around it first appeared in sight, he sank back in the carriage, and, for a moment, closed his eyes, as if to shut out a painful object. But Mr. Richmond sought to comfort and re-assure him, and, in a few min

gate, anxiously looking for them, and then, as the carriage drew nearer, running back to announce to her mother its arrival. Exhaustion from the journey and the force of his emotions had overcome Edward's weak frame, and he had to be carried into the house. As Alice sprang forward to meet him, already assured of his repentance and returning love, he could only say, with an inquiring look, " Alice! dear Alice, forgive!" She did not speak, but tears-warm, gushing, delicious tears-started in her eyes, and trickled down softly upon his face, as she hung over him and pressed his colorless lips.

"The time of separation again came, but it was a tearless, and, to appearance, a heartless separation; for Alice strove hard, and with all a woman's pride, toutes, pointed out Alice, standing in the arch-way of the suppress her feelings, lest they should afford amusement to James Elliott, who had several times shown a disposition to rally her upon her melancholy looks. But, about a month after Edward's departure, there came to Briar Hill a floating rumor, that he was paying court to a young lady, residing in the town where the college was established. Mr. Richmond wrote, immediately, to a friend in the place for information, and, in answer, learned that his nephew had indeed, for some time past, been very attentive to a lady several years older than himself, to whom, as was reported, his friend Elliott had once plighted his troth; that they were generally believed to be engaged, and that if not, they certainly ought to be. I shall not attempt to picture the renewed agony of Alice at this announcement. To the world her pale cheek and melancholy air alone betrayed what she labored to conceal; but to her mother were confided her inmost breathings of hopeless grief, with child-like free-hectic spot!—the seal of the destroyer! But he grew dom and affectionate trust. That mother, though her own heart was very sorrowful, dare not give way to feeling; for hers was the solemn duty of binding up the broken heart, and healing the crushed spirit; of awakening new hopes, and renewing fond desires in her daughter's breast.

"Mr. Richmond, on receiving this information, was at a loss what course to take, and deferred for some days, during which his professional business was unusually pressing, all action on the subject. He then determined first to write to his nephew; but his letter

"Edward's disease was not eradicated: it had only assumed a more lingering form. Consumption was slowly wasting his frame, and the color that sometimes mounted to his cheek, which comforted Alice, appearing like a harbinger of health—Alas, poor girl! it was the

strong enough to walk with her again among the garden flowers, and to sit with her in the arbor; and, while her parents watched over him as one doomed to an early grave, hoping but to smooth the descent thither, she, as if partaking of his own feelings-his deceitful hopes and vain imaginings-thought each brightening flicker of the light of life a token of recovery. Edward, himself, was the first to be undeceived, and to give her a warning which she heeded of his fate. Alas! the green sod now covers his grave, which you will find in a lone, neglected, rural church-yard, not very far from