Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-01-06
VOL. VII.
household and view her on board the steamer
which is floating majestically down the Kenne-
hac

Oo"nS Ou oLtHeT SlO0, mere ana tnere crowned
with the variegated foliage of the dying year,
and flying backward, bearing farther and far
ther that home where she had spent so many
happy days, she could not help dropping a tear
In spite of herself. She seated herself on one
OF the lounges, and drew from her carpet-bag a
package which her mother had deposited there
at parting. She tore the paper which envel-
oped 1t, and discovered that it was a small
handsomely bound Bible; and as she turned
the leaves, marked here and there at different
passages, she-tnOught of the early instructions
of mother, and leaning back, for few mo-
ments became lost in revery. Nor was she
conscious that nearly opposite her sat a gen.
tleman closely observing all her motions, till
suddenly starting up as from a dream, she en-
countered his steady gaze fixed upon her.
Blushing with confusion she hastily rose and
retired to the after part of the boat, and at the
same time, the book unperceived dropped from
her lap.
The gentleman referred TO appeared quite
young, of an exceedingly fair complexion, and
with dull melancholy expression of counte-
nance; but his intensely black eyes seemed 10
glow with sort of wildness which could not
fail TO attract attention. He sat earnestly
watching the retreatng form of the girl till
she had disappeared, then lifting the book from
the floor where it had fallen, turned 10 the IL
lie page and read the words, 'Evira Larkin-
from an affectionate mother
With nervous motion, he started from his
seat then as the owner of the lost book re-
appeared, he politely handed it to her without
a saying word. But the expression of sad
ness depicted on his countenance, without a
single utterance of the tongue would have
awakened sympathy in heart less susceptible
of emotion than Elvira's, and the glance of
those piercing eyes seemed to sink into the
very depth of her soul, and touch there chord
which had never before vibrated She started
to descend TO the cabin; but turned once as she
heard or thought she heard her name pro
nounced. There stood the young man, still
fixed TO the spot, with the same melancholy
expression on his features. She retired to her
berth and wept-whether from grief or SYM
Pathy is uncertain.
We have said that Elvira was well edu-
Gated; but by this we tEean only that she
had advantageousy employed those means
WHICH bad been offered in her limited
sphere. She was well versed in book
knowledge; fo- besides her course Of study
at school, she had ever had access TO her
fathers library, which contained by no means
meagre supply of instructive reading mat.
ter. But of the customs of fashionable life
she was entirely ignorant. To her, the d.
versiied landscape Of her own native hills,
together with the blue sky overhead consti-
tuied the universe. 1t is not 10 he wondered
at then, that with her limited knowledge of
the world, she should view in the handsome
though sad countenance of the young slran-
ger, something to awaken heartfelt sympa-
thy. Whether or not there was a deeper
emotion, the reader will Judge hereafter.
EIvira was at length established in her la
borious though honest employment. She
had become factory girl independent OF
friends for support, and with a field for ef-
fort fairly spread before her. A month had
elapsed, and by agreeable manners and
strict attention TO business, she had succeed
ed in winning the affection Of her compan-
ions, and the confidence of her overseer
when an unexpected event dissipated her
hopes. The excitement Of travelling and Of
the entrance upon her new duties, together
with the change Of pure country air for The
confinement and disagreeable smell OF a
woolen factory, brought on a slow fever 10
which she was finally obliged TO yield though
reluctantly, and for several weeks was con-
fined TO her room. Yet from the first, she
refused to have her parents informed of her
sickness, not wishing 10 occasion them un.
necessary alarm, and hoping that few days
of rest would enable her 10 resume her en-
ployment.
Fortunately an old acquaintance Of her
father, hearing of her situation, visited her,
and kindly invited her TO spend a few weeks
at her house. Mrs. May resided in So.ner-
yile, and thither EIvira was conveyed,
where by means of good nursing she was
soon in measure restored. The roses had
faded from her cheeks, but their absence
served only TO reveal the snow-white purity
Of her skin. She was now, if never before,
truly beautiful and in the refined society to
which she was introduced by her kind host
ess, she soon acquired that ease and grace
which are The essential qualifications of
true beauty.
Mrs. May was a widow in comfortable
circumstances, her husband having died
about six months previous, leaving but one
little boy TO her parental care and guidance.
Thus almost alone, although surrounded
fered grief to prey upon her, and in Elvra
she found just such companion as she
needed. The attachment which had sprung
up between them was daily strengthened,
and while kind attention restored health to
the one, she in return impaired tothe other,
by her lively and agreeable converse tion. the
balm of consolation for the afflicted heart
They were accustomed to walk out frequent
ly together, for Elvira had not yet lost her
propensity for rambling, and in her present
state of health it proved of advantage. In