Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-12-15

| 'Fhis is dear papa 3 glt,' she said, 'isn'
it beautiful veil, Harry?'
Yes he .answ cred, very beautiful. -
What is it made of-book muslin?' -.
| Fanny smiled athis ignorance, assuring
him that it was Of lace, and that of superi
or qualify.
do you admire the dress?' she asked
after moments silence.
ooh, yes, greatly; but it is not as pretty
as the one you have ON By the wy
| think, am sure, | remember that dress
Isn't it the very one you had on of Com
mencement the frs. time saw youl'
Yes, answered Fanny, with a brigh
blush; 'it is rather old fashioned now; but
thought if you should happen to recollec
it, you would be pleased to have me weal
it to night --..e..
Dearest Fanny, how good, how just like
you that was. have always thought this
just the .loveliest dress in the world; the
color belongs to you, by the right of your
eyes; and, now think of it Fanny, cam
you be married in blue?'
Fanny lauhged outright at this, saying
the idea was quite absurd and impossible
| sMy milliner meant to have my brlda
array quite complete she said, 'lor here
is the wreath Of orange blossoms. Wha
think you Of this, Harry?' .-.. -.
Away with ill' he replied; there is some,
thing stiff, stately and exotic in those flow.
ers. Do wear, instead, few just such
rose buds as tose in your bosom. They
are almost white; they are simple ane
sweet, and they breathe Of home. You
will wear them, won't you, dearest9'
eOh, gladly, for these, too, have theil
associations. The tree that bore lhem wa
your first glft to me. Henry, would like
| to humor you about the blue dress also
but that is altogether out of The question.
As the lovers finally turned away from
the table whereupon stood the band box,
their eyes fell upon, Willie. Fanny's ysupg.
est brother, who was fast asleep, in the
chair. Henry laid his hand upon his head;
he started up, and rubbing his eyes said
1 am sitting up so late because want to
fetch Selim for you; but you needn't be in
a hurry 7!- "a g-szas ...s ,..'
The young man laughed, looked at his
watch, and told the lad he might go for the
horse at once. Willie darted off for the
stable, brought out Selim, but had The
pleasure of exercising the animal for sew
eral minutes in the yard before his master
came forth 20 claim him. All that Time
was Harry Lester taking lerye of his afi-
anced-always going, but never gone. He
felt in his heart a strange, sad yearning-
some wild, inexpressible foreboding "a
fearful shrinking from the night without,
beautiful and peaceful as it was-a some.
thing that caused him to snatch Fanny
again and again to his heart ns though
some dread power, unseen, but darkly felt,
were striving to glide between Them, and
part them forever. ....,. ... t.......
Atlast, Fanny gently unwound his arms
from her waist, an d took step backward.
He yielded her up with sad smile, bul
kissed her once again, and said Good
nigh.!' Fanny raised her finger, with a
gesture, play fully forhidding, and said
Remember, now, you have kissed Fanny
Austin for the last time!'
Henry laughed, and Fanny followed
him 10 the door to see him of. She pat
ted the impatient Se4im on the neck, and
whispered 10 him-bear him safely, very
safely. .cs3.s- .s,..a.s III l,... ...-
As Henry gathered up the reins, and
was abou. starting, he said suddenly, with
a glance at Willie-'Oh, Fanny, word
in your carp She drew nearer, and put
up her face-her lover bent, not to her
ear, but to her lips, and so kissed Fanny
Austin once more! Then, with merry
laugh and another good night, he dashed
through the gate and down the road. ~
Fanny soon ascended 10 her chamber,
but she did not retire to rest. FliDging a
shawl about her shoulders, she sat down
by the window, and looked. out upon the
night. Then she spoke low to herself, in
ali the unconscious poetry Of love-'How
far the stars can see with their clear, un-
veiled eve, so high in heaven! but l cannot
believe they behold happier child in all
the vast universe of the All-Father, than
L. She looked downward-she could not
see the roses, but she drank in their fra.
GRANGE, and said-sAs the rose sweetens
the night air, so love sweetens life for me.
Oh, gracious God, bless Thee alike for
these far, rolling worlds whose light is yet
OF Oar homes, and for the earth-bright.
ness of flowers-ior love, and more than
all, lovs.' 8'>.3 ~ a'
As Fanny gave utterance to this solemn
ecstacy of religious and loving heart, she
bowed her head upon the window sill be-
fore her. Suddenly. she started, leaned
forward, and listened eagerly. She was
sure she heard her own name called, in an
imploring voice. Itseemed 70 sound from
the ravine beyond the hill. Once more it
came-a wild, sorrowful, piercing cry. II
was Henry's voice. She. stole down the
stairs, passed noiselessly through The cas-
tern window, and ran down the road. She
was not mistaken, for little way beyond
the bridge Selim was standing, with his
head dropped sadly over his master, who
was lying on the grass of the roadside.
As Fanny passed over the bridge, she
saw that plank had been broken through.
She flung herself down by her lover cry
ing-'Henry, dearest Henry, ARE you much
hurtg -s......... ..,, g..
He seemed 10 have tainted; but he soon