Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-24


Mr.. Streatfeld to Langley Hall. As Jane
had foreseen, Clara at first refused to hold
any communications with him; but letter
from her sister, and the remonstrances oi
her father soon changed her resolution
There was nothing in common between the
twin-sisters but their personal resemblance.
Clara had been guided all her life by the
opinions of others, and she was guided by
them now.
Once permitted the opportunity fplead-
ing his cause Mr. Streatfeld did rot me-
glect his own interests. IL would be little
to our purpose to describe the doubts and
difficulties which delayed at first the pro-
gress Of his second courtship-pursued as
it was under circumstances, not only ex-
traordinary, but unprecedented. Ii is no
longer, with him or with Clara Langley,
that the interests of our story is connected.
Suffice it to say, that he Immediately over
came all the young lady's scruples; and
that, few months afterwards, some OF
Mr.. Langley intimate friends found them
selves again assembled round his table as
wedding-guests and congratulating Mr.
Streatfcld on his approaching urion with
Clara, as they had already congratulated
him, scarcely ayear back, on his approach
ing union with janet
The social ceremonies of the wedding
day We're performed soberly--almost sad
ly. Some ofthe gnests especially the I'M
married ladies' thought that Miss Clara
had allowed herself to be won too easily
Others were picturing to themselves the
situation Of the poor girl who was absent,
and contributed little towards the gaiety
OF the party. On this occasion, however,
nothing occurred to interrupt the proceed
ings; the marriage took place; and, imme-
ately after it, Mr.. Streatfeld and his bride
started on tour for the Continent.
On their departure Jane Langley re-
turned home. She made no reference
whatever to her sisters marriage; and no
one mentioned it in her presence. Still the
colour did not return to her cheek, or the
old gaiety other manner. The shock that
she had suffered had left its traces on her
for life. But there was no evidence that
she was sinking under the remembrance
which neither time nor resolution could
Danish. The strong. pure heart had under
gone a change, but not determination
All that had been brilliant in her charac-
ter was gone; but all that was noble in it
remained. Never had her intercourse
with her family and her friends been so
affeciionate and SO kindly as it was now.
When, after a long absence, Mr.. Streat-
field and his wife returned to England, it
was observed at her first meeting with
them, that the momentary confusion and
embarrassment were on tier side, not on
hers. During their stay at Langley Hall,
She showed not the slightest disposition to
AVOID them. No member Of the family
welcomed them more cordially; entered in.
to all their plans and projects more readily;
or babe them farewell with kinder or
better grace, when they departed for their
own homes.
Our tale is nearly ended; what remains
of it must comprise the history of many
years in the compass of afew words.
Time passed on; and Death aud Change
told its lapse among the family Of Lang
ley Hall. Five years after the event, a.
bove related, Mr.. Langley died; and was
followed to the grave, shortly afterwards,
by his wife. Oftheir two sons, the eldest
was rising in good practice at the bar; the
youngesthad become attached to a foreign
embassy. The third daughter was mar,
ned and living at the family scat Of her
husbandin Scotland. Mr.. and Mrs. Steat-
field had children Of their own now, to oc-
cupy their time and absorb their cares
The career of life was over for sone-the
purposes Of life had altered for others
Jane Langley alone, still remained un-
changed.
She now lived entirely with her aunt
At lntervals-as their worldly duties and
worldly avocations permitted then-thc
other members of her family, or one or
two intimate friends, came to the house
Offers Of marriage We're made to her, but
all were declined. The first, last love OF
her girlish days-abandoncda as a hope and
crushed as a passion, living only as quiet
grief, as pure remembrance-stiIl kept
its watch, as guardian and defender, over
her heart. Years passed on and worked
no change in the sad uniformity life, un-
I'll the death Of her that left her mistress OF
the house in which she had hitherto been a
guest. Then 1t was observed that she
made fewer and iewereiiorts to vary the
tenor other existence, to forget her old
rememberancesfor wilhelm the society OF
others. Such invitations reached her from
relations andfiiends were more frequently
declined than accepted. She was grow
ing old herself now; and with each advanc-
ngyear, the busy pageant of the outer
world presented less and less that could
attract her eye.
So she began to surround herself, in her
solitude, with the tavoritc books that she
had studied, with the favorite music size
had played, in the days of her happiness.
Everything that was associated, however
slightly with that past period, now acquir-
ed character OF inestimable value in her
eyes, as aiding her mind to seclude itself
more and more strictly in the sanctuary of
its early recollections. Was it weakness
IN her TO live thus; to abandon the world
and the worlds interests, as one who had
no hope or part in eitherl Had she learn
ed the right, by the magnitude and resolu-
ton of her sacrifice. thus to indulge in the
sad luxury of fruitful remembrance Who
shall say.-who shall presume to decide
that cannot think with her thoughts and
look back with her recollections.
Thus she hved-alone, and yet notlone-
ly;without hope. but with no despair! sep
arate and apart from the world around her,
except when she approached it by her char
lties to the poor, and her succor to the af-
flicted; by her occasional interviews with
the surviving members other family and a
few old friends, when they sought her in
her calm retreat; and by the little presents
which she constantly sent to brothers and
sisters children, who worshipped, as their
invisible good genius; "the kind lady"