Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-10-12

before you" replied her mother. commi-
seratingly, as she pointed to the Ms.
Dearly as I love Lena" returned
Alice, without needing her mothers last
remark, ssI almost dread to see her. 1t
has been so long since we were friends
together, and she, during the interval has
mingled so gayly in those scenes for
which her wealth BELTS her. that fear
she may be changed. l would rather re-
member her always as she was when L
saw her. than to anticipate the Joy of
meeting, only to find her estranged and
cold"
.t The tone of her letters is certainly
very cordial and friendly. I'm sure, from
the way she writes, she must be the warm
hearted, affectionate girl you have always
represented her to be" said Mrs. Freeland
encouragingly.
| Alice shook her head.
"True," said she, Lena's letters
have been affectionate, but schoolgirl
love is rarely found to be enduring with
both parties after separation. Although
l regard my old friend as warmly as ever.
l scarcely dare hope to find the same feel
ing existing on her part. We have been
differently circumstanced. dear mother,
and"-
! Ere Alice could finish the sentence, a
low, rapid tap was heard at the door, and
before the young girl could reach it, it
was thrown wide open. and with cry of
Joy, she recognized her old friend and
schoolmate, Lena Forrest.
| For moment neither spoke. Alic e
held the slight figure OF her bosom, in an
! oh nlya ha
warm heart that prompted it; and Lena
bent her head to the shoulder of her COM
panion. and pressed her bright lips to the
beautiful cheek.
.'You see, dear Alice" said Lena. at
last. gently disengaging herself from her
friends arms, l have come to visit you
sans ceremonie. Mother would have in
sisted upon my waiting for your first call,
but assured her there was no formali
ty existing between us, so [ ordered my
pony, and rode over, after inqulrlng the
way here"
'Well," replied Alice. smiling. g to
slightly alter an old adage, talk Of the
iovea one and they're always near Mo
ther and were just speaking of you.
was dwelling upon the probability of a
change in you, and the mutabiIity OF
school girls in general but L believe l
have no reason to think you changed.
save in appearance.
And Alice laid her sunny head fondly
upon the shoulder of her friend.
Indeed, no, Ally. l have never
changed in heart feeling toward you: and
this morning L was SO impatient to see
you, could scarcely wait to see the ira
ces of the storm clear away. l had a
greom to ride with me till we were out Of
sight of the village, and then dismissed
him, that might, undisturbed. think of
you, wonder how you looked, and all
that. Indeed, Alice, is there anything
love unselGshly in this world. it is you,
and 1 have had long. lonely ride this
morning to reach you"
And as she spoke, look of sincerity
shone in Lena's face, and lighted up her
great dark eyes with a radiance which
was not often there.
''Alice. in the delight of meeting you
has quite forgotten her mother was unac
quainteI with you, Miss Forrest said
Mrs. Freeland, extending her hand with
a smile. Permit me to welcome you
most warmly to the Manor. and to ex-
press my pleasure at meeting one of my
daughters dearest frien Is
Lena turned, and instantly held up ner
lips for kiss, with manner which quite
enchanted the warm hearted Mrs. Free
land, and said with one of her brightest
smiles
''L had already felt so well acquainted
with you, dear madam. from talking of
you, with Alice at school, that no intro
duction was necessary, 1 assure you. al
though it is two years since we last enjoy
ed chat on the subject
A warm pressure of the hand which
Mrs. Freeland still held, was Lena's only
answer, and Alice drawing forward
chair, exclaimed
''l think We have kept our guest stand
ing quite long enough. Come, Lena, sit
down, and Well have regular, old fash
ioned confab." And with a smile she
was about to seat herself at Lena's side,
when she suddenly perceived that her
long riding-skirt was dripping with water.
''Why. where have you been? which way
did you come to get such wetting as
this ~ she asked, in tone of surprise.
as she gathered the h"Hvv habit in her
hand, then let it fall agtia in is damp
weight, to the floor.
"Well." answered Lena, as she took
off her plumed cap and flung it listlessly
from her. CAS- 1 told you, L inquired the
way here; but in my anxiety to see you.
l presume, didn't gain very definite
idea of the route, for 1 missed the bridge,
if bridge there is, and found myself on the
river bank yonder, with no way of getting
across, that 1 could discover, unless
forded the stream. They told me L
would have to cross the river to get here,
and. from the description, 1 was sure