Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-11-27

1t is a strange perversity of the human
heart, that it ever spurns the love which
is avished upon it, and seeks that which is
unattainable. Henry was devotedly at
tached to her, she had centered her souls
deepest feelings upon Lincoln. She deter
mined to discard Montfort--he was vexed
to be thus deceived by one whom he had
deemed purity itself. Yet, is it not ever
thusl We are victims to deception when
we least expect it. We too often forget
that serpents may lie concealed amid the
most beautiful flowers.
But few evenings previous to the one
to which we have alluded, Lincoln, after
an absence of some time, Unexpectedly ar
rived at the village. He called upon Neo-
liza. He esteemed, though he thought not
of loving her. Each interview enhanced
the warmth of his friendship. This was
the evening previous to his departure.
Their conversation had insensibly grown
almost sad, and Just as Lincoln rose to de-
part, Neolia said to him. musingly,
do you see the moon sailing in the
cloudless SKYE"
yes" he answered.
We'll it shall be emblematic of my fate.
If she sinks to rest in undimned beauty,
then | will think mine will be similar des.
ftinv."
At that moment slight cloud fitted over
the moon-it quickly passed and all was
bright and lovely. The two companions
looked at each other, but neither spoke
In short time cloud darker and more
dense totally obscared the bright orb. Ne
Ola started.
81 know, feel, exclaimed she, that it is a
fit emblem of my life. Already have the
light clouds thrown transient shadow
completely over my pathway.
NAY, cheer up, dearest Neolia," said
Lincoln, speaking in gay tone, although
even he had felt the influence of the scene.
"You are too young to suffer evil forebo-
dings to crowd upon you. In the pursuit
of your studies you will find happiness. 1t
is not happiness that appears and vanshes
in moment. No, it is fountain whence
stream perpetually flows. In this foun-
tain we may find pleasure-aye, more! glo-
ry"
He paused, and seeming to awake to the
enthusiasm of his manner, added in a calm
and serious tone,
"But must now leave you; have al
ready fingered too long. God bless your
A moment, and he was gone. But his
tone, his rapt look, his lofty aspirations af-
ter glory were indellibly fixed in Neo-
las heart. From that hour she loved him
with an intensity even greater than be.
Four wears had
passed-rapidly with Lincoln, yet slowly
with Neolia Each day saw her more pas,
sionately attached to him. Had he been
Indifferent to her she would not thus have
loved him. Womanly pride would have
enabled her to conquer the too fatal passion.
But he was devoted friend and she was
conscious of it. He admired, he loved her;
but it was only with brothers love for
gentle sister. Why, will woman thus love,
till hope, health and happiness, become as
things that were, and live ony in the name?
Neolia closed her eyes upon the future, and
thus blindly rushed upon her fate; for Lin
coin never once imagined that she cherish
ed any feelings for him more warm than
that of friendship. But, how often is a bur
ming passion concealed under the guise of
that most fatal WORD "frlenQ!
Neolia and Lincoln had met frequently,
and maintained casual correspondence
Catching a part of his own ardor for lite
nature, for what woman does not identify
herself with the pursuits of the one she
loves?-she devoted her time with untrng
assiduty to literary pursuits. Her versa
tile mind enabled her to Gull and treasure
the sublime, and beautiful in Literature
and Nature with unusual success. She
found a new fount woke up in her SOUL
She breathed her thoughts in verse, and
gave her productions to the world under
fictitious name. They were read and ad-
mired every where. Though grateful for
these fattering testimonials, they were as
nothing till she knew Lincoln's opinion
How anxiously did she await the arrival Of
his letters! With what avidty did the eye
trace each line. How did she prize the
admiration with which he regarded her
fine intellect and expanding powers. -
Still, she did not anticipate return for the
passion, which, like fires in an urn, burned
more fiercely, because concealed. Every
effort to sever the chain which bound her
to him, seemed but to rivet it more firmly.
Meanwhile time passed on, and one
pleasant afternoon in summer, Media
sought an arbor in a retired part of her IA
theirs domain. Ii was sngularly roman
tic spot. The arbor was formed by train
ing number of the boughs of the tree
downward; while in the spaces between
the branches, woodbine and eglantine were
arranged to form light and airy lattice
work. The pale yellow of the woodbne's