The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-07-05
her own weakness and her all-enduiing

her own weakness and her all-endufIHg
love. a = "a
They had both somewh whaIanacovered
their composure. when the HoEers re-
turned; but Lydia's clsaF ringing laugh
smote painfully On the eAE Of her un-
happy cousin.
"You have not been Idle Eseem said
Frank Egerton, pointing to the flowers,
and lifting up wreath of white roses,
he placed it on the brow of Helen, and
asked Eydia if she did not look very like
bride in it.
The allusian was too much for the
almost broken-heaEted girl, and uttering
a low thrilling exclamation she sank
fainting at his feet, and in that state
was borne home to her anxious and
alarmed mother.
The following mornings at an early
hour, Mr.. Ackhurst called at the farm
to inquire after the health of the invalid
His step was frmer than it had been
for several weeks, and a self-satished
smile played over his face! Helen was
up and sitting by the open easement /;
but she still looked pale and sorrowtul
The old gentleman took her burning
hand, and pressing it afectionately,
bade her continue to place her trust in
Providence, and prophesied that many
happy days were yet in store for her.
Helen shook her head with sad
smile, but she felt grateful to him for
his kindness and attention. Some days
afterwards Helen ventured out, leaning
on the arm of Mr. Ackhurst and Lydia.
The quiet beauty of a summers evening
shed its holy influence over her calmed
spirits, and her afectionate cousin saw
with pleasure the kindling of her eyes
and the flushing. of her hitherto pale
cheeks. The sounds of an approaching
vehicle were heard, and a travelling
carriage, covered with dust, dashed by
them with great rapidity; in another
instant il stopped abruptly, and young
man alighted and advanced rapidly to-
wards them. One glance at his noble
and manly form was enough for Helen /;
she trembIed violently, and clung con-
vnlsively to the arms of her companions
for support.
GOOD heavensm cried Sir Harry, as
he approached near enough TO distinctly
recognise them. My father and my
Helenw .=
His father! The whole truth burst
suddenly on the mind of the bewildered
girl as she heard these words, and she
felt that there were yet happy days in
store for her. The soothing voice of
her lover did not serve TO diSpel the
mists that were gathering over her
mind. She felt like one in dream
! She was conscious that their hands
were joined, and fathers blessing
breathed upon them; then all was
blank until the tears and caresses of
Lydia recalled her again to life, TO a
new existence OF hope and joy.
Lord Rivers was not naturally hard
hearted man. although selfish and am
bilious: and the anguish which he saw
his son daily enduring while under the
conviction that her he so paSsionately
loved was false and unworthy of him,
smote him to the heart. At first he
trusted TO the sophistry of those who
assert that time or change of scene can
eradicate deeply rooted affection =
but the wasting form of Sir Harry
taught him the fallacy OF such trust,
and at length he determined to see and
Judge for himself of the beauties and
virtues of her who had SO enthralled
the mind of his son.
The quiet and touching sorrow which
so strongly marked her countenanee
and manner, and the afectionate con-
idence and attention which Helen be-
slowed on the destroyer of her peace,
soon subdued and softened every proud
and aristocratic prejudice, and he at
length wrote that letter to Sir Harry
which had been the means OF bringing
him down TO l..
All this was explained in fewer words
than | have used to write it. And II
Helen noticed that her lover looked
paler and somewhat graTer and older
than when they had last met, and he
observed her fragile and delicate form,
each remembered that it was love that
had wrought the change.
There is but little more to tell, as
shall not attempt to describe or partlcu-
larize their joys and simple bridal, OF
the feelings of the beautiful bride. when
Frank Egerton held up the wreath OF
faded roses before her, and reminded
her of his prophecy. They were OF
mingled happiness and gratitude to
God. who had wrought SO mercifully fol
her since then, changing her mourning
into ioy. And Lord Rivers, in his de-
clining years, cheered by he- smiles, oil
soothed by her afectionate tenderness,
found no cause to wish that the wife o1
his son had been any other than the
gentle Helen.