The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-18

II
earnest words in his native tongue. that could
by no possibility have been linked to the lesson
OF that day-a grave lecture of the 81 sage
Mentor Ii was evident that the two had
corrugated the verb "aimer" together long
enough to forget that another existed in the
French vocabulary or in any other
| The young foreigner was bending to speak,
as we said His cool, clear eye scanned. the
girls face piercingly, while he did so--admir-
ingly too, but not anxiously it seemed. Indeed
there played halfeasy smile of confidence
and self-gratulation about his lips as though
some great concession had just been won,
with surety for more to follow He too was
proud, ambitious though pQe-you could read
it in the bend of his brow Nd pe sweep of his
hand but his pride was cool calculating cir
cling about its aim gradually; neyer bounding
upon the wave of impulse to sucoess or to des-
pair
He laid his hand lightly, it seemed almost
soothingly, upon hers, as he went on But she
drew her own away with halfstartled air,
and, lifting her eyes for the first tirseNt~ssA
] hurried, fearful glance around the room and
\ through the easement As her eye-lids drop
ped again round hot drop rolled from one,
and fell upon his wrist. She sprang up as
though sutfocated by sob, and turned to the
window moment When she looked IN his
face again. there was no trace of tears on hers,
| "And you are going?' she said, low and
steadily lifting her eyes, as though she would
let him read her soul for moment then drop
ping the fringes over them again
Would you have me stay" he inquired
calmly, never taking those searching eyes from
her face.
mo and-yesl ~ The first word was spo-
ken firmly, the last in a tone huttering into 81
lence In an instant as though she despised
Ndarsait-S davius sa.i.i ga tss01 g. = =, "a
bayseIf up more proddry Ihan ever WITH a CRUSH
lAxtr S->Ae@t
NNolE she'rePea,eo, 80. -go s,GA:& ~ ,aI4si
country-to your dear France put the ocean
between us but first teach me 10 forget :"
Forget" the young man echoed :" could
sooner forget myself! Can not take remem-
brance and love with me across the Atlantics
What more would you give me?"
She half turned away her head, struggling
with the strength of pride against the passion
ate beating of her heart There seemed sort
of triumph hidden in her companions eye, as
he watched the conflict he had awakened. 1t
was for this very pride, this very queenliness,
that he had marked her his bright particular
star" in the armament of life. And in the
conquest of that ruling passion, his cooler ma
ture glowed. even on the threshold of a long
separation. He triumphed in reading her soul !;
but it was hidden book to him, after all he
could not interpret beyond the limits his own
heart had reached and he dreamed not of the
dizzy sweep hers could take.
"Shall I offer you the hand as well as the
heart of 'penniless adventurer,' as your admi-
rable father would style me, for worse rather
than BETTER orr
Enough she exclaimed II am gene
rails grandchild do not make his blood boil
in my veins for shame that have forgotten il
Go gain name and fortune BE happy
be great But if you forget, Edmund !" here
the strange, low tone came back. Suddenly
sweeping the braids from her forehead she said,
vehemently-
"Do you know what it is to be forgotten, Ed
mund? n
"You know what it is to doubt, Anne!n he
answered, in a tone half tender, half severe.
| "To be forgotten y sho repeated. at is--td
dee IN
"Oh hush, love! Why, one would think we
were making our eternal adieu. Have you one
atom of belief in the communion of kindred
souls--one atom of trust in me, Anne! IT'S a
little thing that SO many paltry miles will be
| between us, when -
at is not little thing!" she exclaimed, ri.
sing before him, and clasping her white hands
until the nails crushed the quvering flesh.
at is not a little thing, Edmund, that you
have made all existence blank to me- but
yourself! that you have brought me to live only
| in your presence that you have bound up my
life in your heart and are carrying it over
ocean and continent! No. no !" she continued,
take your eye off mine! What have you
spel-bound me to say, while | scorn my very
self for the saying! Leave me!
"In few minutes, Anne, and for long years,
perhaps" he replied, seriously. "Shall we
part before strangers 2"
One moments struggle, and the barrier OF
pride was overswept by the wild heart-waves.
She leaned her head on his shoulder, sobbing
like terrified, trusting child The words
whispered in those moments were only tor the
souls that drank them in.
Anne's sObs grew quiet at last and she raised
her tear-fooded face subdued and trustful.
Edmunds ever-watchful eye gave one glance
to her disarranged toilette.
My dear. your ruff will be telling tale
that the winds should not whisper !" he muir
INJURED, with a smile, pointing to the warning
hand of his repeater.
Anne gathered all the old pride back into
ncT cNt iE u tWlhhhhEe iotSSu bCi hheiSh'DhhB
hands to her head, and smoothed her rufled
plumage; then, swan-like, she settled upon the
embroidered sofa, and re-opened her forgotten
book.
q shall write very soon after ] reach Paris"
Edmund went on to say "Can you secure
letter safeIyf"
"Oh, yes " Anne answered eagerly but
the blood mounted to her forehead at the i'm
piled confession of maneuvring
"Then, Anne" he began, warmly, but she
raised her hand with a quick, terror-boding
gesture
Therc-there hush !"
The rustling of silk dress in the adjacent
hall, though faint as the sigh of q zephyr over
the autumn corn, struck on her listening ear
like the death knell of dreams. The ever self
possessed teacher raised his pencil profession
ally, and was vociferating French rule with
perfect :" sang froid,o IA the door opened to a
dowager-looking elder sister She swept in,
dropping stately courtesy through her swing
ing hoop, in acknowledgment Of the extremely
ceremonious inclination of the young foreign
er's head. She looked gaunt and grim, like
generatlon-old picture escaped from its frame
the more no that her hair was drawn tightly
back to the summit of her head, over the organ
OF selt-esteem," as phrenologists fix it and
that chain of massive gold bcads-an heir
loom OF ages gone by--girt her bare throat.
Good afternoon, sir" she said, in patron
ning tone; IL understand from my sister that
you intend leaving town tomorrow sir ?"
"Oui, mademoiselle, sans douteJ
What, sir inquired the lady, lifting her
eyebrows little
Mlle-that is, one thousand pardOns.
mademoiselle; that wishes TO say-certainly
will depart tomorrow"
1t was polite within of Edmund DIS to az
feet as slight knowledge as possible Of the
English language when conversing with his
patrons. Perhaps he felt that there was little