New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-04-12

1
not without bitter pang of envy that Clara
Rowland resigned her formerly uneontested su-
premacy. She was brilliant beauty, with
large dark eyes, and hair like ss the ravens
wing but withal, proud, selfish, and artfui,
but with an acquired softness Of manner tina.
partially concealed these defects An only
child, she had been petted and caressed, until
the wayward girl had become transformed into
the willful woman, with all the strong impulses
Of her nature unchecked and uncontrolled by
principle or affection; and yet, unlike as were
their characters, Helen Linwood and Clara How
land were friends, in the worldly acceptation OF
the term; but though Helens warm heart found
some traits of character in Clara to love, and
while free from every jealous thought, she ad-
mired her rare beauty, and generously excused
her faults, Clara could not, and did notlove the
pure, high minded girl whose gentle disposition.
as well as exceeding loveiness, had won all
hearts; and the words of praise lavished 50
freely upon Helen by old and young. fell like
drops of poison into Clara's burning heart.
a brilliant party was to be given at Mrs
Howlands, and Clara stood before her mirror
arrayed in a beautiful and costly dress, with
the proud consciousness Of beauty lighting up
her brilliant features. Clara had long guessed
the secret Of Helens heart she had watched
| every tell-tale blush and smile, and she knew,
| though words had never revealed it, that Dr.
Langdon loved Helen Linwood, and that she was
| not indifferent to that love; and in the depths
| of her wild, ungoverned nature, she had vowed
that she should never be his. For years she had
loved him with all the selfish ardor that could
but characterize the love Of such a being. and
| she could not bear that another should win the
heart that had turned so coldly from her; and
she had resolved to take a bold step to defeat
| the end she most dreaded, the marriage of Helen
and DR.. Langdon
| That day, in seemingly strictest confidence
she had impartedt to Helen a secret, which she
said was interviewer with her very being; she
told her that her hopes in the future were about
to be realized, and that she had promised to be-
| come the wife of him she loved best on earth
and when Helen, with fond eagerness, had asked
the name, Clara had hid her blushing face upon
her shoulder and whispered the name of 's Lang
donp'
| iielen's cheek grew pale, and for moment
her hearts pulsatons seemed stilled, but, with
strong effort, she rallied, and bending her
head to Claras cheek, kissed her fondly, and
tried hard to feel that she did not love her less,
although she had taken from her the brightest
hope that had ever lighted her pathway
| Clara had returned home, exulting in the hope
| Of the success Of her project, and Helen sat by
| the window where the cool breeze could play
upon her burning brow, and tried to still the
| rumultuous thoughts that thronged her brain.
| Nividly the past came all before her, and the
blush of mortified pride and feeling dyed her
| cheek and brow, as she remembered how often
she had betrayed her preference for him The
excited state Of her feelings made her magnify
| every circumstance Of the kind, and she felt de-
graded in her own eyes, as she thought how lie
must despse the heart that gave its love un-
| sought: and then, as the remembrance of that
love came over her mind, she hid her face in her
hands, and tears flow ed fast and free.
Twilight came on, ard its shadows deepened
l t,rnJ 1JfrI,t h,r4 rl,n ,f.a1
her own sad thought.
The entrance Of her maid, who came to assist
her in preparing for the evening, reused her
| from her bitter reverie, and pushing back the
| disheyeled locks from her throbbng temples
She rose to her feet, and hastily began her pre-
parations, and short time after, when hel
cousin, Mrs. Linwood, came in to put the finish
ing touches to her dress, Helen's features be
| trayed no traces of her recent emotion.
That night there was deeper flush on Helen
cheek, and brighter beam in her eye, and he
voice. though slightly tremulous at times, wa
more than usually gay and mirthful in its tones
and none could have read beneath that brigh
exterior the feelings that swelled her heart an
oppressed her BRAIN
Never had she looked lovelier that on tha
night, and so thought DR.. Langdon as he ad
vanced to speak to her as she entered Mrs. How
lands drawing room Helens heart beat al
he might observe her embarrassment, and detec
the cause, she hastily withdrew it, and the smil
that accompanied her few words of greeting, h.
saw was constrained and cold. Touched by he
manner, he turned away, and meeting the ey,
of Clara, he crossed the room to her. and whel
Helen saw him again, he was standing by he
side, her hand within his arm, and her beaut
full face npturned TO his With faint sicken
ing sensation, Helen turned away, and forgetfu
| nt all nroun1 hnr saofal hnrSnlf ~ ap
window where the heavy curtains partially en-
veloped her form, and where she could gaz
upon the calm, still starlight without. A fey
moments after, gentleman followed her, AM
seating himself by her side, began conversa
ton in which she took but little share
Frederick Loring had loved Helen Linwoo,
long and devotedly, but had never dared t.
breathe to her his feelings; but at that momen
there was a subdued softness in her manner,
touching sweetness in her tones that made hin
love her more, and dare to hope what he nevel
hoped before. Helen, engrossed by her Owl
thoughts, listened dreamily as he spoke of til,
beauty of the quiet evening poetry-of love
and as he talked, she gazed into the heaven
above her, unheeding the passionate gaze tha
was bent so earnestly upon her, and though h
spoke in low, soft whispers which betrayed til
love his bosom felt, she did not realize his mean
ing until emboldened by her silence he place,
his hand upon hers which lay upon the windos
sill, and bending nearer, spoke plainly of hi
love for her.
Helen raised her eyes to his, and burning
blush overspread her features; she saw he
error and felt she had unintentionallymisledh him
she leaned her head upon her hand, and he sti
bent over her listening tremblingly for the word
on which his hopes all hung.
At that moment Clara, who was still leanin
upon DR.. Langdon's arm, directed his attentio
to Helen and with peculiar smile said, 'sHele
is very happy this evening"
sWhy?" said DR.. Langdon, quickly "Sh
: salways happy when Mr. Loring is by her side,
replied Clara.
g Are they engagcd'" asked DR.. Langdol
making an effort to speak calmly.
''Certainly," said Clara, unblushingly mee
ing his inquiring glance, did you not know il
: but of course you did not, as it is of late date
: but you must promise me not to mention it, sh
added. &C for l ought not to have told you as
was told to me by her in strictest confidence
! sc You can trust me, you may be assured, Mis-
2 EIowland,' replied the Doctor, and after u fey
idle remarks, with slight apology to Clara, h
! led her to a seat and left the room.
Had he stayed moment longer-had he seel
the expression that crossed the features of tn
$ gentleman by Helen's side; had he observed he
, manner as she rose from her seat, and came for
ward to mingle among the guests, he would hav
l detected, with the quick eye of affection, tha
: some sorrow had touched her, and that the as
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