The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-16

thought he cried, hiding his face against
Fannys breast, while tears that were no re-
proach to his manhood, dropped fast upon those
pale blush roses.
Fanny bowed her head over him, and said
with tender sOlemnity:
81 am persuaded that neither death, nor
life, nor angels. nor principalities, nor powers
nor things present nor things to come can d-
vide us now, or destroy our love- which is of
God. Though perish to all the universe be-
side. | can never die to you"
But an, Fanny" he replied with something
of the fond waywardness of loving child, eff
should 90 first, would you grieve for me any !
Would you ever come to my grave to weep, and
remember how dearly loved your
"For a little while" she added not long,
think"
Henry looked up bewildered, and she con-
tinued, with quiyering lip; because, dearest
should so soon be lying by your side. And now,
she added, smilingly, "let us talk of brighter
things never saw youin mood 50 melancholy
and f,reboding Clouds of all kinds are so for.
eign to your sunshiny nature. | rode over to our
house with mamma, to-day. Everything Is IN
perfect order there, now. The last thing did
was to arrange your books in the little library
Your dear mother says that she will have the
parlors lit up and tea all ready for ns, the eve
ming we get back from the Falls"
"Say the evening we reach home, Fanny!
want to hear you speak that word, so ! may be
sure | am not dreaming Of a pleasant quiet
home, and a blessed little wife of my own
'Well, then. hOme-your home-our home
to be presided over by an ignorant little child
wife, thousand removes from an angel but
in your love, indeed. blessed among women
Now are you satisfied"
After receiving her lovers unspoken, yet elo-
quent response, Fanny laughingly resumed: 81
fancy we shall have funny sort of a mendge-
both 80 Young, 80 totally inexperienced and
with, 10 NJ vtrv ira-, such exeeesN. ,sro&est
means | wish we could live like the fairies on
dew and honey; or rather, as the angels live, on
pure love. Oh, then, Harry, we could fare
sumptuously every day But, alas we are
only poor pair of mortals, and 80 we must be
industrious and prudent, and rub along as we
CAM
"Why, Fanny, dear, am not so very young
| was twenty last march | shall be admitted
to the bar in about two years. In the mean
time, my father will do all he can for us, though
he don't esteem early marriages very prudent
things. mean to prove to him that can be
as steady, studous, diligent and economical, rs
any ploddng, money making old bachelor in
town shan't hear of your giving up any of
your accustomed Injuries, Fanny, or making
your dainty hands hard and unkssable with
any sort of work but have already given up
play-gong and cigars and think some of sell
ing Selim."
Never ~ cried Fanny. "What! sell the
faithful creature which has borne you so surely
and 30 swiftly to rae every blessed Saturday
evening in the year? 1t would make us too
much like the reduced and disenchanted couple
have somewhere read Of who killed and
cooked the very carrier-dOye which had flown
back and forth with their loye-letters"
At this moment bright little lad of ten
years opened the door, saying: Sister Fanny,
a big bandbox has come for you from the city"
"Oh, then bring it in here" she replied.
The lad vanished but reappeared in moment,
with the box, which Fanny eagerly opened and
took out dress of plain white silk, and a long,
white veil of delicate lace
"Fhis is dear papals gift she said Isnt i,
beautiful VEIL Harry"
"Yes," he answered very beautiful What
is it made of-bOok-muslinl
Fanny smiled at his ignorance, assuring him
that it was of lace, and that of superior
quality.
Don't you admire the dress ," she asked
after a moments silence
"Oh, yes, greatly but it is not pretty as the
one you have on. By the way think, | an
sure, | remember that dress. Isn't it the very
one you had on at Commencement, the first
time saw you 2"
"Yesn answered Fanny, with bright blush
lit is rather Old-fasbiOned now but thought
if you should happen to recOllect it you might
be pleased to have me wear it tonight"
dearest Fanny, how good, how just like you,
that was have always thought this just the
loveliest dress in the world the color belongs
to you, by the right of your eyes and, now
think of it. Fanny, can't you be married In
blue %
Fanny laughed outright at this, saying that
the idea was quite absurd and impossible.
NV miliner meant to have my bridal array
quite complete" she said, +" for here is the
wreath of orange blossoms. What think you
Of this, Harry?D
away with it " he replied there is some
thing stiff, stately, and exotic, in those flowers
Do wear instead a few just such rose buds AZ
those in your bosom. They are almost white;
they are simple and sweet, and they breathe of
home You will wear them, won't you, dear
est ~
ooh, gladly for these, too, have their associa-
tons The tree that bore them was your first
gift to me- Henry, would like to humor you
about the blue dress also, but that is altogether
out Of the question"
As the lovers finally turned away from the
table wherein stood the bandbox, their eyes
fell upon Willie Fanny's young brother, who
was fast asleep in his chair. Henry laid a
hand upon his head he started up, and, rub
bing his eyes. said; IL am sitting up 10 late
because want to fetch Selm for you but you
needn't be in hurry"
The Young man laughed, looked at his watch,
and told the lad he might go for the horse at
once. Willie darted off to the stable brought
out Selim but had the pleasure of exercising
the beautiful animal for several minutes, in the
yard. before its master came forth to claim it.
All that time was Henry Lester taking leave OF
his affanced--always gong, but never gone.
He felt in his heart strange, sad yearning-
some wild, nexpressible foreboding-a fearful
shrinking from the night without. beautiful and
peaceful AZ it was-a something that caused
him to snatch Fanny again and again to ms
heart, as though some dread power, unseen, but
darkly felt were striving to glide between
them, and part them forever.
At last Fanny gently unwound his arms
from her waist, and took a step backward. lie
yielded her up with sad smile but kissed her
once again, and said, Good night" Fanny
raised her finger, with gesture, playfully for
bidding, and said" Remember, now, you have
kissed Fanny dustin for the last time!"
Henry laughed, and Fanny followed him to
the door TO see him off She patted the impa-
tent Selm on the neck, and whispered to him
to bear his master safely, very safely.
As Henry gathered up the reins, and was
about starting, he said, suddenly, with glance
at Willie-"Oh, Fanny, word in your ear ~
She drew nearer, and put up her Elce-her
lover bent not to her ear. but to her lips. and
30 kissed Fanny Austin once more Then