The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-05-31

know all the particulars of what had
happened remaining ungratified. They
were simply informed that an extraor-
dinary and unexpected obstacle had
arisen 10 delay the wedding; that no
blame attached to any one in the mat
ter; and as soon as everything had been
finally determined, everything would
be explained. Until then, it was not
considered necessary to enter III any
way into particulars. By the middle OF
the asS every visitor had left the house !;
and a strange and melancholy spec
tacle it presented when they were all
gone. Rooms were now empty and
silent which the day before had been
filled with animated groups, and had
echoed with their merry laughter. In
oHe apartment the fittings for the series
| of "rEbieauxn which had been pro-
posed remained half completed: the
dresses that were TO have been worn
lay scattered on the floor; the carpen-
ter who had come to proceed with his
work gathered up his tools in ominous
silence, and departed as quickly as he
could. Here lay books still open at the
last page read; there was an album
with the drawing OF the day before un-
finished and the color box open by its
side. On the deserted billiard-table,
the position of the "cues" and balls
showed traces of an interrupted game.
Flowers were scattered on the rustic
tables in the garden, half made into
nosegays, and beginning TO wither al
ready. The very dogs wandered in q
moody. unsettled way about the house.
missing the friendly hands that had
fondled and fed them for so many days
past, and whining impatiently IN the
deserted drawing rooms. The social
desolation of the scene was mlserabiy
complete in all its aspects.
Immediately after the departure OF
his guests. Mr. Langley had a long in
terview with his wife. He repeated to
her the conversation which had taken
place between Mr.. Streatfield and him.
self. and received from her in return
such an account of the conduct OF his
daughter, under the trial that had be,
fallen her, as filed him with equal as.
tonishment and admiration. 1t was a
new revelation to him of the character
of his own child.
GAS soon as the violent symptoms
had subsided,n said Mrs. Langley, in
answer to her husbands first inquiries
" as soon as the hysterical fit was sub
dued. Jane seemed suddenly to assume
a new character, TO become another
person. She begged that the doctor
might be released from his attendance
and that she might be left alone with
me aud her sister Clara. When every
oHe else had quilted the room, she con
| tinued to sit IN the easy chair wnert
we had at first placed her, covering he
face with her hands. She eutreatee
ms not to speak to her for short time
and. except that she shuddered occa
sionally, sat quite still and silent. She
at length looked up, and shocked us By
the deadly paleness of her lace, ant
the strange alteration that had come
over her expression /; but she spoke II
US so coherently, so solemnly even, tha
we were amazed: we knew not what Il
think or what to do; ii hardly seemed
TO be our Jane who was now speaking
TO u.s."
aWhat did she say?" asked Mr.
Langley, eagerly.
"She said that the first feeling o
her heart, at that moment, was graft
tude on her own account. She thanked
God that the terrible discovery had no
been made too late, when her marie,
life might have been life of estrange
! ment and misery. Up TO the momen
when Mr.. Streatfield had uttered tha
one fatal exclamation, she had love'
him. she told Us. fondly and fervently
aou. no explanation, no repentance &
either were tenderedl nc earthly pei
suasion or command lin case Mr.. Streai
field should think himself bound as
matter of atonement to hold 10 his ras
enoagements) could ever induce her t
become his wife,"
"Mr. Streat6eld will not test her rese
luton" said Mr.. Langley, bitterly; h
deliberately repeated his reputation {
his engagement in this very room; nay
| more, he-o
al have something important to sa
to you from Jane on this pointp intel
runted Mrs. Langley "After she ha
spoken the first few words which hav
, already repeated to you, she told US tha
she had been thinking-thinking NOR
calmly perhaps than we could imagin
-on ali that had happened; on wha
Mr.. Streatfeld had said at the Dime
table. on the momentary glance of RI
, cognition which she had seen pass bs
tween him and her sister Clara, who's
accidental absence, during the Who'll
period of Mr.. Streatfield's intercours
with us in London, she now remembe
ed and reminded me of. The cause I
r the fatal error, and the manner in whic
i it had occurred, seemed to be alread
t known to her, as if by intuition. w
, entreated her to refrain from speakin
, on the subject for the present; but sh
t answered that it was her duty to pr,
, pose something which should alleviai
t the suspense and distress we were a
! enduring on her account No wore
+ can describe to you her fortitude, he
noble endurance Mrs. Langley
, voice faltered as she pronounced th