Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-12-13

enchanting that Ashley, from his heart, felt
that
"IIer deep and thrilling songs
Seemed, with their piercing melody, to reach
The soul, and, in mysterious unison,
Blend with all thoughts OF gcntlencss aud love"
She was not to appear for several nights
and she told Ashley, ere he left, that she
would look forward always 70 seeing his
familiar face among her audience.
What a charm there was TO him in her
graceful, playful manner, tempered as it
was, by childike Difference towards him
1t was a direct compliment, and he felt ii
in his heart for he had ever heard that
the beautiful prima donna was the haugh-
tiest OF the naughty, Keeping, by her cold,
proud manner, at a respectful distance
many who would have bowed in homage
to her beauty. "And vet she is all soft
ness, all that is charming to me-" soliloqui-
zed Ashley, as he gained the Hotel des
EtrdpgerS, after leaving her, and sank to
sleep with "lhis nattrring unction OH his
soul"
need scarcely tell YOU that his visits
were often repeated. In fact, Ashley
Courtenaye had no wish to employ himself
in seeing the wonders of the city, unless
Natalie was at rehearsal and every day
| found him the favored, in truth the only,
visitor Of the young girl.
The night for Naalic's appearance arri-
we'd; and Ashley repaired to the opera ear
| ly, that he might secure favorable posi-
/ ton. ''Surely her heart will fail her :"
/ thought he, as he glanced around on the
/ brilliant scene, where, tier above tier, rose
bright eyes, sparkling jewels, and waving
| feathers. The air was filled with the per-
| iume OF the nnumcrable bouquets brought
| there. TO lavish, in beauty, on Ii bci}c Nata-
/ lie. The full orchestra had Swelpd out in
harmony, and was just on the ,fnalc, when
| the shouts of welcome, and the waving of
periumed handkerchieis, greeted her ap-
| pearancp. Ashley was actually startled on
looking at the radiant creature, as she stood
gracefully and calmly in the full blaze of
! light, with her arms, cleaning in their
beauty and gems, crossed o. her breast,
and received, as though an everyday oc-
CurrenCp, this tumultuous burst of applause.
! But now came on his ear such a sweep of
music that he almost held his breath, lest
/ lac should lose the smallest note Of that
thrilling and soul-subduing voice. Even
! when the curtain fell on the last scene, and
| Natalie. almost veilrd in the shower OF bou-
quets and garlands which had raincd upon
the stage, had retired, he but slowly arou-
Spd himself from the trance into which her
liquid voice had thrown him. He left the
house, and sought his room, that he might
, feast on the remembrance Of the Peri upon
whom he had been gazing and whose
tones We're surely stolen from the "Springs
of Light" heard in Paradise by the blest.
Days, weeks, months glide on; for
'lightIy falls the foot of time, when it
only trradS on flowers :" and Ashley
Courtenaye is the daily companion of Nat
ale. Each night that witnesses her tri-
umph on the stage finds him, also, an en-
tranced listener in the PargHeiie, Iuxuria-
tiDg in the .'iIraven OF sweet sounds. -
And he is conscious, in bis own heart, that
he loves the sweet song-bird, and that his
love is returned, though no words have yet
passed between them.
One day, he entered Natale'S boudoir
with sad countrrance and a heavy heart,
!
ate manner could not cheer. Her own
speaking face became shaded through sym
pathy, as she asked
"What is it that grieves you, Ashley r'
"That ! must lrave you. My mother
writes urgently, pressiugy; and must
obey. 1t has never entered into my mind
to diSobey her slightest wish, so dear is she.
But oh, Natalie, ! have never felt nv one
dience to her 10 be anything but pleasing
til now. How can leave thee?
sit is your duty" murmured she, with
a pale cheek and qnivering lip. And he
knew, from the trembling of the cold hand
which he claSped, how iondly he wa,
loved.
"But tell you | cmnof, unless il be
with the hope OF soon rr.joning you, never
to BE- again separated. Tell me, dearest
Natalie, will you be mine when | have ob.
tanned my mothers consent to our mar
riage 90
} The pale cheek became still paler; bu
: no sound issued from her lips as she sa
! there, with Ashley looking anxiously, ex
! pcCtantly in hrr face.
"AnSwer me-, Natalie one word, on,
. little word, 10 give JOY to my exile from
: yon. win you not cheer mo with on,
= smile, one word 2"
"Iou are aware, Mr.. Courtenaye, how
e much would give if felt that | coul,
honurably say that word; for you know
2 full we'll that love YOU" said she, sadly
I but with quiet dignity. "3ut it may no
n be. Mrs. Courtenaye would never con
y sent and even you would hate me il
: time, if Were so ungratefi as TO engag
r myself to you. No. do not urge me again
d Go forth unfettered TO your MOTHER
:. Thwart not her wishes, her hopes. IL
Q her not think, for moment, that the chill
i whom her kindness fos,ered, whose me
e theirs death-bed was cheered by her ben
IS evidence, should, like the serpent, no.
e turn 10 sting her. Yes; il must be so.
e tell you with pang that only those VIII
ir love as now do you could feel. Go
d your mother, and forget me-"
'e "Never, as you yourself well know
* will 60; but il will be to sue, to entrei
Ie her consent. She has never denied m
m anything, nor will she now, when te