Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-11-28

OF naughty SOIL"
"The other answered half-haughtily,
half-sorrowiully, keeping up the fig
ure-
" And the scion son of England
would fain wear the Lily of America
on his heart. Will it beT'
"Nay, this is idle badinage. My
lord, if you please, we will dismiss the
subject"
But am serious, Lillias. Heaven
be my witness. that this i. no trlillng."
| lie spoke with earnest energy, and
it recalled the wandering thoughts OF
the listener; for scarcely had she heard
what he said, constructing it into the
meaningless measure Of courtly con-
ventlonalism. And now she knew she
must exert herself to answer as be-
came her, and with a delicate cOnsld-
Grafton for his feelings and dlslntercst-
edness and she replied, tlmidly,
81 thank you, Lord Claremonte, for
the compliment you have paid me, for
the honor you would bcstow, which |
most humbly beg leave to decline. !
can never be yours f; but proud and
happy should be to call you friend,
| or brother"
Lord Clarence looked up as ifhe had
not expected this. But hope flashed in
his deep eye, as he said---
"And why arises this determination
Lillias--and may | not hope to change
it %
The poor girl shook her head, and
again repeated her gratitude for his
preference and generosity.
"And is your heart another's" he
asked. with fearful quickness; and long
his searching, scorching eye was burn
ing on her changing check.
Iillias unconsciously bent her head
as she uttered "Am ! not too young
to lover
Then is Thy woman's heart too
young to send its csn,cious bushes
quivering to thy temples. But, love,
this is not so. Oh say | may win and
wear thy heart, and | will bless YOU
for ever bless you -
IL have said," returned the maiden,
calmly; "and my decision is unaltera-
b!e."
"Oh say not so !---for Gods sake,
say not so, Lillias ! / cannot be disap-
pointed here"
Tears Of pity were in the eyes of
Lilllas, and he resumed, with restless
yehemcncc---
"This is a blow | had not looked
for. My life has been one long, lone
dream Of light, with scarcely coming
shadow. Hopes have been met, wishes
granted, and expectations redeemed
And now here | have centered all my
happiness for the future. 1t must not
fail me. cannot bear all this mock
cry Of madness. You must listen to
me. Will you, Lillios--will you hear
| me"
"You arc excited. Lord Clarcmonte;
compose yourself Another time you
may think differently"
\ "Never---nevcr - was the emphatic
response. 81 have lived upon this hope
too long. And now say me not nay
viii no, tha, pure and plying heart
| plead for me 7"
Lilias's feelings were deeply touch
cd. She had not believed herself capa-
bic Of inspiring any affection so fer
vent. And yet she had no other an
swer to give---she had no heart to be-
stow.
"And say" urged the young noble
man, say, dearest, if time may not
change your resolution will wait
oh, how patently.--your own time
years, years though it be, if / can but
be blessed with the assurance that you
will one day be mine"
"fou distress me, my lord," Lillias
said, in faltering tones. Speak OF
this no more"
Il would not willingly give you pain.
believe me but-must still plead my
| cause"
"All hopeless though it shall ever
be. Lord Claremonte, cannot---nev-
er-feel for you aught than the warm
est, sincerest friendship. And if you
value my feelings, speak of this not
again. You will soon learn to forget
me, to think Of me as one that had
never BEEN"
"Never! By my hopes Of heaven,
no p' he exclaimed, with startling ami
nation. "You, and you alone, are the
one lone star of my idoIa,ry. For you
| would Iive-for you would die"
"My lord, it cannot, must not be-"
LillIas answered, with faltering ear
nestnes.. Let this satisfy you"
Yet never will it, until fully assured
your heart is another's. Can you not
have confidence in me, Lilliasl" And,
almost imperccp,ibly, he drew her near
to him, and searched her burning cheek
as if life or death were written there
And, seeing she did not answer, head
dedt "Oh, Lillas, doom me not to de-
spalr ! Let me hope !"
ITO b sOstinu'i.l