Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-06-17

| lily, the elder children, caught each OF them
hand in both of theirs, exclaiming, "Do not go
away. Aunt Ella don't leave US, Aunt Ella"
and little Anna, now almost two years old,
was struggling in her fathers arms and crying,
as she strove to reach Ella, "rake Anna, Aunt
Ell! take Annie"
why did you do this?" she said, reproach-
fully, as she tried TO release herself from the
chldrcn's embrace. 'It is cruel to add 10 my
distress Why did you bring them!'
'To bid you farewell he replied, IF you
will leave u.s.
'No nor cried Henry, claspng both arms
around her, aunt Ella sha'nt 90 away!
And Emily, hearted, sensitive child,
threw, herself across Elias lap aud wept loud.
ly
L can bear this no longer ? she exclaimed,
and, extending her arms, she received the baby
from its fathers embrace and hid her face amid
its golden curls.
Stay with US, Miss Mason,' said Mr. Grant,
in zones that would talter, despite his selfcon-
t~uI; my children cannot live without you.
For their s;tkes, and that of her who conhdcd
,uem 10 you, stay with me-
4 will she answered, with sudden resolve.
'You have conquered, Mr. Grant, will not
leave you, darlings. Dry your tears, Emily;
Aunt LILA will moi 80 away
And as she bent 10 raise the sobbng child
still lying in her lap, Mr.. Grants hand was
LAID 10. an instant tenderl y upon her head, and,
/ for the first time in bis life addressing her by
! that name, he ute ed, feIyently, God bless
ynu, Ella! God forever bless youp and turned
hastily from The apartment, to conceal the
emotion he could no longer repress.
Left alone with the children, her assurance
that she would stay with them soon quieted
their fears, and changed their tears to SMILES;
and aer seeing them again in the nursery,
pursuing the happy employments which their
fathers nasty SUMMONS had interrupted, she re.
tired, to seek in solitude the strength she need
I'd for the present and the future.
| Weeks and months rolled on and the SLAM
derous reports which had SO deeply panied Ell.
lii, had, as Mr. Grant predicted, died of them
selves. But their effect upon her had not ceas-
ed. Others might have forgotten, but she could
not forget; and nervous dread Of their renew.
al would, but lor the determination with which
she turned from il, have made her very misera
ble. All seemed as it had done, it was true,
but The feeling of security, which had made
so Ia ge a pol ion Of her happiness was gone,
aad though to others she might appear as tram
uuil as belo @, there was restlesSness, q vague
lear ever hul.erpg about her heart, which she
coulu not still.
Alas, :'oor g;'l the agony caused by those
tale :: anu Nv Inc thought that she must pat
wi: 4 bim had shown her in the depths OF Init
heart feeling unsuspected by herself before,
and had forced her, though with bitter tears
and .upbraGngs, to acknowledge that she
loved ilr. Grant as she had loved no Other-as
woman can love but once.
Sne never dreamed Of L return; she believed
That he would never love again and her only
thought was now to conquer, or at least dis
guise her own deep affection. Yes, Ella Ma.
son. once so certain that second love, if it
existed, could call forth no return, so positive
that her heart could only be given in exchange
Tor one that had enshrinel no other image, now
loved, with all the warmth Of her nature, the
widowed husband Of her dearest friend.
yet not with earthly love, father, oh, not
with earthly love ? she exclaimed often, as with
claspdd hands and streaming eyes she knelt
before her God Yet he is dearer than a thing
of earth shodd be Oh, strengthen me 10
overcome this feeling! Aid me to concealv
Some months had passed in this way, when,
one evening, as she was retiring with the chill
dren at their usual hour, MIR. Grant said
Will you return to the parlor Miss Mason,
when you are at leisure? | wish few mo.
ments conversation with YOU
Startled by the request she merel y bowed an
assent; and, after seeing her little charge at rest
returned with trembling limbs to the parlor,
where Mr.. Grant await ed her. AS she entered,
he came forward to meet her, and led her to the
sofa.
Miss Mason,' he said-Ella, have offended
you!
Offended me, Mr.. Grant! Oh, no-why
should you think that you have offended me 2
Il have fancied that you were less frank and
cordial in your manner, Ella, for some time.
You have not talked to me so much nor so
freely as you once did, and feared that had,
knew not how, grieved or panied you. If so,
forgive me-
Never at any time or in any way, Mr..
Grant. If have given you cause to think so,
it is who should ask your forgiveness
| have been dull, perhaps, for am not altogeth-
er well, and, for the first time in my life, am
somewhat nervous but offence in your house
| never had cause toT, and, do assure you,
never thought Of
1T is WE'LL he said musingly, am glad that
it is so.'
And silence of some moments ensued'
which to Ella seemed interminable, yet which