The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-10-23


melting tone, which seems to fuse the
whole atmosphere into sea of melodious
harmony, and as its swectly flowing waves
rolled forth, the gentle Lucy was spell
bound by its power. Meter the perform
err nor the listener hef "a the door as 1t
softly and almost noiselossiy opened behind
them, nor dreamed that other ears than
their own were drinking in the sweet sounds.
Winfield Morgan cast strange look
into his fathers face rs they both stood in
the half-opened doorway, but the old man
noticed it not, for he only knew that he
listened to the sewing-girl's music.
At length Lau:a raised her fingers from
the keyboard, and as she turned towards
Lucy, Mr.. Morgan and his son entered the
room. A blush stole over the fair orphans
check, as she thought the gentlemen must
have heard part of her performance, but
knowing that no i'll could be thought of it,
she quickly re-assured herself, and politely
courtesying to Mr.. Morgan, she delivered
the message his wife had left. The old
gentleman gazed moment in the deepest
admiration upon the features of Laura, and
then, seeming to repress remark that had
risen to his lips, he said A:
Il will obey the lady's orders, but first
1 have business Of my own to arrange.
However, can finish it by ten o'clok ,
and as he spoke he took one of the lamps
from the mantel and left the apartment
And for you too, | have message
said Laura, as she turned towards Winfield,
- your mother wishes you to appear at
Mrs Jennings as soon as convenient
l suppose | am aoonted,' uttered the
young man, with a peculiar, meaning en-
phasis.
YES. W;yaM sa''. ,T.qcy, while ro-
guish twinkle played in her eyes, and a
light laugh rang from her lips ); Mss
L0aSisa wants you
Perhaps she does, sis, replied Winfield
with a smile, into which was infused sort
of sarcasm, but she did not put the right
bait into her hook for me-
But you are going, are you not /" asked
Lucy.
{ Not tonight answered her brother,
and then casting his eyes upon Laura, he
said in q tone of respectful frankness:
Miss Ackerman, thank you for de-
livering my mothers message, but If you
will admit third person to your company,
1 shall beg to enjoy the society of yourself
and my sister for the rest Of this evening.
TO tell the truth, | am already sick and
tired of the endless twaddle that goes to
make up the conversation Of these husband
and wife hunting parties, and now while
my sisters are listening to the lispiug nom
sense of the soi-distah gentlemen, let us
see if we cannot find more enjoyment at
home.'
90, what q good brother,' cried Lucy,
clapping her hands in delight. Laura
shall read and sing and play
And pray, sister, what shall we DO I"
DO? Why, listen, to be sure
The color came and went in Laura's
face, and for moment she trcmblcd like
an aspen, but yet this mark Of kindness
had touched the spring of her SOULS graft
tudo, AMI ere long she composed herself,
and by dint of considerable exertion, she
succeeded in persuading Lucy to take her
seat at the piano, while she sat down upon
one of the sofas. Several times after his
sister had begun to play, did Winfield pace
across the room, and at length with slight
tremulousness in his manner, he took a
seat by the side of Laura. For some time
a strange, wild futtcring Of the heart kept
the poor Orphans tongue tied to mere
monosyllablcs, but after while, beneath
the kind smile and gentle comport OF her
companion, her embarrassment wore of,
and she entered into an animated CONVEX
sation The comparative merits of coun-
try and city, with their advantages OF edu-
cation and amusement, were freely discuss
ed, and ere long, Winfield venturcd upon
the custom and habits of foreign nations,
but here Laura followed him with judi
cious understanding and when at length,
literature and music came upon the stand,
her eyes frightened mp with warm fire,
aud her companion learned to his wonder