Forgotten Stories.

Forgotten Stories .

BY TIIEOPHILUS TOMLINSOK .

No . III . ELLEN : . A Simple Tale . - " A mermaid on a dolphin ' s back , Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath . That the rude sea grew civil at her song . " SHAKSPBAHB .

A BOUT SIX years ago I was staying at , a watering-place on the Sussex coast . It was one of the fine mornings in July , when the sun had just risen above the top of the wave , and was scattering around his bright , warm rays ; that having taken my customary dippingI had

, wandered unthinkingl y along the shore , admiring the impending grandeur of those tall cliffs , which , in the language of our great tragic bard , " Beat back the envious siege Of wat ' ry Neptune . "

I had trodden the same path the evening before , aud it was my amusement in these marine perambulations to inspect the crevices of the rocks , and to carry home with me the most beautiful shells that

chance threw in my way . I had rather a taste for conchology , and had made no inconsiderable collection of the specimens of our own shores ;—one group of rocks I had found particularly fertile in rarities , and these I had very nearly approached . A peculiar jutting out of the cliff at that

place hid them from the sight till you were close upon them ; I had nearly , in the marine phrase , doubled this promontory , when my progress was arrested by the sound of a female voice , chanting some beautiful air in a very plaintive tone . I stood to listen—the words , as far as I can remember , were these : —

Edward is gone—and I know not whether His spirit may rest on land or sea ; 0 -would that , love , we had sailed together , Or thou hadst never been torn from me ' . Ellen is sighing , but nought is nigh , To pity her moan but the wind and wave;—The gull shall soon , from her roost on high .

Sing a lullaby dirge over Ellen's grave . " Ihe voice ceased . I advanced a few ^ eps to the other side of the cliff , and the ugure of the lovely warbler , reclining on 0 B e of the tallest of the rocks , was before

my sight . Her long black ringlets were streaming down her neck , and her eye was fixed steadfastly on the horizon , She had her back towards me , which prevented her observing my approach . I thought I perceived her lips moving , as if muttering something to herself ; and on a sudden giving a glance over the sea , she resumed her song : —

" I'll recline on this rock , and the wave shall bear My paly form to that favoured shore Where Edward is breathing a distant air , 'Mid the fury of war and the cannons' roar . '' I had been gradually advancing towards her;—as she uttered the last words , her

voice faltered , and she seemed falling . I rushed forward and supported her . She started at finding some one by her side , and , looking up with a listless air , ' * You are not Edward , " she said , " Edward sailed last week . " Her dark black eye was

turned upon me as she spoke ; but there was a languor in her gage , that seemed to say her thoughts were not on what she was about ; her countenance was interesting , and had been beautiful , but sickness or sorrow had spread a pallid hue over her

features ; and though at times a transient hectic would flush her cheek , it soon passed away . " Edsvard sailed last week , " she cried ;—" Ellen buckled . on his sword , —and Edward smiled on Ellen;—but he is gone to the wars—I shall never see him

more . " I was still supporting her , and , as she uttered these words , a hot tear fell upon my baud . I cannot describe my feelings at that moment ; there was a thrill through my frame ; and I began to feel a lively interest for the lovely stranger and her misfortunes . She observed what

had happened , and pulling out a white pocket-handkerchief , with an air of the greatest simplicity , gently wiped my ' hand . " Edivard will come back , " said I , scarcely knowing what I uttered ; " Come back !" she cried , starting from her seat , and staring full in my face ; " Ah , no ! you ' re

joking with poor Ellen;—but you ' re a kind man , and you are kind to Ellen—Edward shall thank you . " She put her hand into her bosom , and pulling out an amulet cross , which was suspended by a purple ribbon from her neck , "Look , " she said , "this is what Edward gave me' Good-bye , Ellen ! ' said he ; but Ellen could not say ' good-bye '—and he flung