The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-07-05
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FIRST LOVE.

There are moments IN tne lie OF all
of us which are worth the rest of our ex-
istence, and perhaps it is one of them
when the pure and guileless heart first
discovers that it loves and is beloved
at least, any one who saw Helen STAN
hope, the heroine of my simple tale,
would have thought so.
She was sitting where her first love
letter had found her, reading and re-
reading its contents, until every burn
ing and passionate word was craven on
her'heart forever, the color mantling
on her fair cheek, and the light of a
Young, buoyant spirit smiling over her
face, until one might have almost fan
cied it the countenance of an angel, so
little trace could be discerned of earthly
care or sorrow These deep and de-
lighted feelings were interrupted by the
entrance of her mother.
"Have YOU heard from our dear
Lydia 81 inquired Mrs. Stanhope.
Helen timidly gave the letter TO her
mother, and then eagerly watched her
countenance as she perused it. There
was nothing in its fond and gratifed
expression TO check the warm and
glowing stream of her own thoughts,
and f1inging herself into her mothers
arms, she hid her blushing face in her
bosom.
tsThere is one thing, my dear Helen,';
said Mrs. Stanhope, when they had both
become somewhat composed, "there is
one thing that gives me some uneasi-
ness-not that | entertained single
doubt of the honor and disinterested
affection of Sir Henry Lawton, but it is
possible, from his having always met
YOU here. moving in a style of elegance
and affluence, he may be unconscious
that your usual residence is farm
house, and that you are portionless and
lowly born"
Helen looked up with a momentary
expression of doubt, but it passed away
in an instant, and she smiled in youth
full confidence and trust, and said:
/" Mother, will you see Henry Lawton
when he comes this evening, and tell
him everything2 Then if he repent Of
one single word here traced, it shall be
to me as if it had never been written
But should he remain unchanged"
She paused in confusion, and deep
bushes mantled over her face and neck
Mrs. Stanhope read and understood
every feeling of her guileless heart,
and promised to do as she wished.
1t would be making Helen out more
than a woman were | to deny that be-
tween then and the hour appointed by
the baronet for his visit she never once
feared as well as hoped for its result
and recalled his high spirit and lofty
bearing with foreboding and sadness
But then he loved her! and love to the
young is an almighty and all-prevailing
power, which will ultimately surmount
and subdue every obstacle in its path
Presently she heard his knock-his
step upon the stairs-afld the tones oi
his voice reached her ears, it might be
for the last time-the drawing room
closed-the crisis of her fate was come
and she sat down by her little work
table, and buried her face in her hands
Scarcely quarter of an hour elapsed
before Mrs. Stanhope appeared, and one
glance at her countenance was enough
for Helen-her long restrained emotion
gushed forth without control, and the
tears she shed were those of Joy and
thankfulness.
aI know how foolish it is to cry when
am so happy" she said, raising heI
dark eyes, still glittering through their
dewy fringe; "but could not help it;
my heart felt bursting"
Mrs. Stanhope affectionately kissed
her daughters cheek, and led her to
her impatient lover.
If there were moments when Sil
Henry thought of his noble house, his
proud aristocratic father, it was when
far removed from the fascination Of
Helen's voice and smile. In her pre-.
sence everything was forgotten but heI
love and devotedness.
Mrs. Stanhope had come to town to
receive small legacy bequeathed to