The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-11-03
and labor on until 20 down to the grave, one
Whom men love not, bat yet regret"


Oh ! the dismantlng of our old home the
moving of furniture that seems 10 have been
made to fill just those places, and none other !;
the rifiing of drawers and the dissertation of
even friendly hands touching the cherished
Mr.. J. might have his "bond" He had kept
his promise, and would mine.
After seeing the few relics bad selected
sent of to Mr.. F's, who had kindE offered me
home begged his wife to leave me to pass
the last few hours Of daylight alone.
Oh, these hours too painful for me to re-
call. The wild tumult of recoections that
coursed through my mind, as wandered from
room TO room-each one growing dearer and
dearer, until in the gathering darkness with a
blessing on the threshold, | crossed it, never
| TO return.
The dafodils planted years ago, by hands now
still in the grave, were out, and gathered a
handful, and stood leaning over the gate. How
well remembered the time whesi twas obliged
to stand on tip-toe to reach the latch, looking
up to the leafess boughs of the naples, upon
which the pale sunlight still fingered.
Oh, those trees They were rooted in my
heart; they had mingled their low, sumberous
music with my mothers songs above my era
dle-murmured solemn responses to my even
ing prayers, shaded my childish sports, nay
happy maiden dreamings; and was it not meet
that they should be lesfless, now that my path
was all shadow Then ! remembered my
father, as he lay in bis open coffin beneath
them while friends and neighbors crowded
around to take last look recalled the very
play of the shadows on his pale face, as they
| lifted me up to kiss his cheek and, resting my
head upon the gate, | wept with the convul-
sive bitterness of child. How long know
not was conscious of nothing until, deep,
manly voice at my side said, "EIabeth"
did not see the face, scarcely the arms that
were held out to me but the next moment was
folded close within their embrace. What were
earthly houses, homes, lands, to me then, when
1 knew the the stro1s11leFs beneath my head
Winding his arms closer and closer about
me- as one cradles q weary child, he let me
weep on until my grief spent itself in long
drawn sobs Then raising my head, and draw.
ing my arm through his he said THAT will
do Elizabeth you are getting cold"
moved on at once when did | ever dream
OF opposing that tone 20 quiet yet so resistess
did not even ask how he came there; it was
enough that it was 30. Nor did he tell but
instinctively divnipg, as it seemed, that my
way lay towards MIR. F's he walked on quietly,
speaking of the shows OF country life. But
when within a few yards of the door, he paused
and taking both my hands in his said, earnest
ly, Elizabeth, you have suffered excitement
enough for one day. and too much but before
we part tonight it is fitting and right that
should ask and you should answer one question
81 love you, Elizabeth. Tell me, is it as
hope-does your heart fully respond to mine
will it trust me forever!"
He had put me from him, and stood looking
down into my eyes, with that deep, questioning
gaze of his. For a moment could not speak
Elizabeth, my pupil !"
any master! my all !" and then he gath
cred me to his breast-his lip met miue, and
the garnered love of years was poured out in
that kiss.
Suddenly loosing me from his embrace, y,
said, This IL wrong you are faint and weary
poor child ! have much to say, but my word
must wait until tomorrow. Let me come t.
you, say anime in the morning, and in the meal
time please make such temporary arrangement
as you wish, for we must BIO in New Haven to
morrow night"
1--WE go soon--what for :" / asked in 4
breath.
"Oh, for several reasons" he said smiling
that old quiet smiIe-"the strongest perhaps
because have busted myself in arranging a
home there which refuses to seem home until
q certain treasure is there"
| But--but -
ooh, you know, of old, that never enter
tain butts You have promised to trust me
for the future and mean henceforth that the
trust shall be no sinecure. There-now prom
Use me you will 20 in and 60 to sleep; promise,
my darling"
My darling Are there sweeter words in
our mother tongue promised, but how can
| sleep? There are nights enough to come in
VIII Oh TO sleep but these emotions-they come
but once in II lifetime there may be Others,
deeper, richer, more intense, but these come
never again His darling
New Hausn, Apr,l l0h-He Dame that
morning and after come explanatory chat with
dear Mrs. F., went up stairs, at his suggestion
toput on my travelling dress in order to take a
short walk before the carriage camc which
was to take us to the city. When came down,
I. was still talking earnestly with Mrs + +,
who inspected my dress closely, liz WAS the
pretty travelling dress had in fl pulled
plat here and another there, and seemed al
together nervous and excited, thing very IN
usual for her.
We walked on talking of the past, calling
up the days of my pupilage, and the words and
chances which had ut once said so much and
80 little until we stood by my mothers grave,
silently u few moments; then he said, We
are both orphans, and both free-free to act Ms
we choOse--are we not, Elizabeth"
And answered, "Yes'
Then, q with me-"
] did not hesitate, though apprehended his
meaning when he drew my arm through his
and led me into the church, where were gath
cred the old minister MIR. and Mrs. + and q
few of the old neighbers. 10 few moments
we had ratified before the world the vows of
our hearts, and turned TO meet the coDgratula-
| lions of the few friends T. spoke for me, kind
| ly and gently thanking them for all their
kindness; and then, in his quiet way, stepped
past them, and placed mefn the carriage wait
ing at the door
any wife. my own wife !" he whispered, as
he took his seat by my side.
All, then saw my mistake! Then knew
| that there were sweeter words than those OF
the evening before but, surely, none in earth
or Heaven that can equal those
Now we are at home--a pleasant home, aye,
and rich ono, for it contains two happy hui
man hearts. | have been to happy to ask
an explanation Of the past as yet. But that
Mrs. NJ; III ask him about her when he lays
down that paper.
"Harold, how was it about that Mrs NJ
Come, explain"
"Yes, darling, when you please to salighNn
me about that Mr.. HI
ooh, you quibbling lawyer, why don't you
tell straight story and say you were CON-
pletely fascinated
because no man is obliged TO criminate
himself, especially when he is not guilty"
But wasn't you little, well--interested in
her at one time?o
"No if by interested you mean anything
more than nero acquaintance. Surely, you DO
not believe it % and he came round TO scat
on the sofa, by my side
No. indeed; but what was there about It