The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-16
For the National Era.
FANNY A TALE FROM REAL LIFE.
by GRACE GREENWOOD.

Fanny Austin stood at the window while the
sun was setting-an open, French window,
whose flowing white curtains half hid the slen-
der form of the young girl She was not look
ing towards the west, though the sunset pa
geant was beautiful to behold-she was look
ing toward the east, not at the shadowy sky.
not at the dark, forest-crowned hills, but far
away down the dusty road, with her lovely,
smiling, expectant eyes. The gold and Grim
son of sunset passed away, the dews and shades
of twilight came on-and still Fanny stood at
the window. servant entered and lit the
lamps, and, as he went out, looked back at the
fair girl with pleasant, knowing smile then
Fanny's mother came in---quietly arranged q
slightly disordered table--looked at her alb
stracted daughter silently, but with fond,
proud, most motherly expression, and passed
from the room.
The twilight deepened, and the stars of a
glorious June evening came out in heaven.
Fanny steps through the open window into
the piazza and bends forward, as listening in
tently. Surely she hears the distant gallop Of
horse Yes now it comes across the bridge,
down in the rayine now it ascends the hill
now comes the CLEAN of white horse dashing
up the road, urged by an eager rider; and
Fanny Austin turns quickly, and re-enters the
parlOr, where she demurely seats herself at a
table, and takes up book.
Through how many twilights during the past
year had Fanny waited and watched for the
coming of that milk-white steed She had
grown to know his gallop across the bridge as
well as she knew the voice of his master Fan
ny's lover lived in the city, five miles away
and in all seasons and all weathers came to visit
his liege lady on this favorite horse, beautiful
and powerful animal But this was the last
time that Fanny would watch with loving anx-
iousness at that eastern window for the coming
OF the bold, impetuous rider--for tomorrow
they were to be married
A sweet ideal of early womanhood was Fan
ny at that moment, with her love-radiating face
bent over her book, of whose contents she saw
not "A wOrd-with the forward fall of her light
wayy hair, half shading her shy, tender, soft
blue eyes-with the tremulous play Of her part
ed lips and the vivid flushings Of her fair round
ed cheek She was dressed with childlike sim
picity. in a lawn of that most delicate blue we
see in the for sky--with flowing sleeves, half
revealing arms of faultless symmetry Her
white neck was uncovered, and, in place Of a
brooch, she wore at her bosom bunch of pale
blush roses. How her high-beatng heart rock
ed them, and shook out their perfumes how
and fall of those rose-buds, and breathed in the
fragrance they exhaled
There is quick step in the hall without
the door If flung open! Let ~ look up with
Fanny at hun who stands on the threshold
A hgure OF medium height manly yet more
delicate than robust IA face intellectually
handsome, though exceedingly fresh and youth
tul--the full red lips all smiles, the large brown
eyes all tenderness deep flush on the slight
ly bronzed cheek--the dark curly hair some
what disordercd and blown about the broad brow
by the fresh night wind; 80 stood Henry Les
ter-but only for an instant stood little
blinded by the hght-then stepped j0yfully
forward Fanny rose half fond, half fearful,
the passion OF the woman at strife with the shy
ness OF the child, TO meet his glad embrace.
You are late tonight, dearest she said.
IN an inquiring tone ~
Yes; my groomsman, Charles Mason. came
tonight had not seen him for nearly wear
and so we had many things to talk about.
never liked the fellow 80 we'll Indeed, be.
heve love all my friends the better for loving
you 10 truly Fanny Like Juliet, the more
give, the more have TO give
Such, dear Henry, is the infinite, divine ma.
tgre of love. Did you find the evening
pleasantip
Glorious The air was both soft and in
Ygoratlng the starlight is very pure, and there
IS triiie OF moon, you know, just enough to
swear by Oh, Fanny, never was 10 happy
as tonight! My heart was rs the heart Of a
child trimming and bubbling over with happi.
ness sung in riding through the dark pine
woods some wild tune, and ! know not what
words--little beside your name, believe
S"k of my cap, and let the winds frolic as
'ney would with my hair feel now, Fanny,
"'I nee how damp il is with dew"
ranny laid her hand caressingly among the
,I,ng crls then drew it away with u blush
"H'ie her lover continued
=. remained no unspeakably happy-some-
unleS urging ON Selm ut "a furious rate, the
sooner to qaench the hot thirst of my heart in
yoIr presence-sometimes checking him up
inu sitting quite still 10 let the great waves Of
joy dash over me-till | came To the burial
saolnd ON the hin beyond the ravine had
passed TINS hundred times with only moment.
ary shadowing Of my heart as q swift stream
Snadowed by flowing under willow but to-
ihsht ut the first sight Of the cleaning. ghast-
y .I,nbstones ! recled in my saddle and groan-
Why 10, dear Henryfn
Because, love, remembered that sox were
mortal and not one Of Gods own imperishahls
angels, as had dreamed you--that Won might
leave nay love, my bosom, for one Of those low,