The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-09-12

walked beside me, her silken hail
waving in the breeze. Independent oi
her rare beauty, she possessed an in.
deseribable attraction that could moi
fail in winning every heart. The over
flowings of an undisciplined, though
vigorous mind, were developed in the
conversation by which she thought to
enliven my seriousness. An affection
for my young sister, almost paternal,
began to grow within me. Rend from
a,plant leaf or branch, and the re-
dundant sap soon causes another to
shoot out and supply its place. The
buds of hope, torn from my heart, were
thus to be renewed in my love for Ber-
tha.
had returned to my home at amin
teresting period, as the following day
was to witness Charlotte's bridal
How thankful l am" said she, "that
you are here to share my happiness"
"Happinessm l repeated bitterly
"can the happiness of others be COM
municated to my hearts Forgive me,
my dear sister, if l wound you, but |
am strangely altered, and shall feel at
loss in such an assemblage your
hearts are all too full TO admit a friend"
"Unkindn' said Charlotte, reproach-
fully. "My heart" said Leila, warmly,
g is never too full for friendship"
This generous speech, nevertheless,
stung me to the quick "Lelia's friend
ship! There was time when might
have enjoyed Lelia's love-"
The bride looked magnificent in her
white robes, standing before the altar OF
the village church.
The festivities which ensued were
joyful, but chastened, and soon settled
into the calm cheerfulness of domestic
life. The attentions of Leila towards
me were unremitied. candid and sim
cere. Not single spark of female ex-
ultation was displayed at the durability
of my attachment True, the love |
had felt for her had ceased, to give
place to disappointment and regret; but
Twas not yet so Indifferent as compla-
Gently to regard her as the wife of an
other.
Charlotte and Leila was of the first or
der of female friendship. 1t was based
upon noble appreciation of each 9TH
er's virtues. Linked together in all
the kindly offices of humanity, they ac-
complished, hand in hand, many deeds
Of mercy and peace, their lives beauti-
fully harmonizing. Indeed, | saw
world of good in these two lovely be-
ings, who sought to unite the fleeing
hours of Time in diamond links. In
the family of my brother Henry | found
quiet elegance and active benevolence.
Surely. the world would afford more
thornless roses, if mortals rightly en-
ployed the noble attributes of the soul.
Ny affection for Bertha increased
hourly, yet resolved to depart before
the return Of Lelia's husband. The
thought of separation from this dear
girl. whose winning ways were insen-
sibly removing the ice from about my
heart, disclosing yet some verdant spots
amid the waste, filled me with sorrow.
At length happy thought suggested
itself-she should accompany me. To
detail the objections made to this plan.
by all, except Bertha, would be an end
less task. Il have always longed to
behold in reality these beautiful objects
of nature and art seen, as yet only
through the minds eye" she said
" The wanderings of years" | remarked,
with a melancholy smile. "have made
me long II further wanderings. Home
The word sounds sweetly; yet after all,
it is but the memory of buried associa-
tions that makes it musical. Still it re-
freshes the soul to drink in the melody
Of earlier years: to breathe the fra
GRANGE that recalls the spring-time of
life. Suffer me then to bear this one
rose from home.n The hand of Bertha
wasclasped in mine, as spoke. "A tear
glistened in her eye as she exclaimed,
almost impetuously-"My brother, /
Uiu not part from you."
Not as heretofore were my travels
From the inspiration of
this dear girl ] caught taste for all
that was beautiful in mans creative ge-
MUS, as well as what was admirable in
the moral and physical world. For the
FIRST time, life appeared to soar from dull
prose into the regions of poetry. The
light Of heaven was more etherial-I
inhaled purershap2ier, atmosphere.
At one time we took up our abode
among the enchanting scenery where
stands the castle of Marsburgh.
The iron-bound aspect Of that striking
remnant of the middle ages was sketch
ed by the pencil ofsBertha in every
point of view.
1t was during our Rhenish tour that
we met with Baron Ernstein, a young
German-rich, intelligent handsome,
and possessing all the frankness and
of his native land. Although
many years older than the baron, we
were strongly attracted towards each
other, and after leaving the Cd castle
behind US, he still followed in ddf track.
He was indeed = most agreeable adjunct
to our party.
He sang charmingly-apdhi bis gayety
was ceaseless. Dull, indee would it
have been to me not to perceive that
! stronger sentiment than friendship