The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-11-28

Il sat down on the sofa and commenced ar
ranging my flowers, and when introduced
begged the gentlemen to excuse me from rising
as | was particularly engaged Mrs. Milton
seemed surprise. MY DEAR she said, ssthis is
dr. Louiston, whom you have doubtless heard
me frequently speak Of, "Indeed, 2 answered
without once looking up. I could plainly see
that Mrs. Milton was displeased with my con-
/ her feelings under the mask Of polteness.
'sThe doctors friend, | had forgotten to men
ton, was young man of bright ford com
plexion, not goodlooking certainly, but pleas
ant and gentlemanly in his manners. He came
and sat down by me, and we soon entered into
a spirited conversation. Presently Mrs. Milton
who had been regarding US with nervous CLAN
ces every now and then, rose, requested Mr..
| Neland to accompany her to the hot-house to
look at some choice exotic she had lately re-
ceived, and which she wished him to anayze.
They left the room leaving mo to play the
hostess to dr.. Louiston, not a very agreeable
task just then, assure you. Butt had previ-
ously resolved what line of conduct to pursue
and proceeded to carry it into effect.
Rising and walking to the open window, |
emptied my apron of its contents of shreds, of
stalks and leaves, and placing my choice bou-
quet of wild flowers in vase, l calmly turned
round to dr.. Louiston and said, "You have
4 doubtless heard my name coupled with many
idle reports, and your partial motive = added
smiling, Sin coming here to-day was one of Gu
riosity, and must say, my dear sir, that can
not much blame you after your experience.
"Now, dr.. Louiston," l continued, ''f you
choose to come and visit us occasionally from
motives of friendship, don't imagine, my dear
sir, that you will be treading on slippery ground
or that snares are spread round about to entrap
you. For as to myself, though have not yet
informed Mrs Milton, or indeed any one but
dear mamma, am to be married to dear cou-
sin (who is now travelling in Europe for his
healthy at the end of six months.
Il calmly endured that fixed gaze Of inqul-
ry, without shrinking, for every word had ut
tered was truth. .-... ..s...-r. .-.-... =.
''Dr. Louiston rose, and coming to where
was standing, said while beautiful smile
played upon his countenance, "At'least then,
Miss Mary, let us be friends" t'Certainly," |
replied, laughnglv, at the same time extending
my hand, Il have not the slightest objection -
"Just at that unlucky moment, while my
: hand was still in dr.. Louiston's, Mrs. Milton
entered the room, while gratihed expression
swept over her features, and when the gentle
men had departed, and she openly congratula-
ted me on my supposed conquest, it almost
broke my heart to think of the kind friend
t was decevng. For believe, Lucy, my inter
, ests were as near her heart as her own.
'sWell, DIR. Louiston and L. see must be
brief, sister, as the dressing belha rung, icon
tinued from that time as friends riding on horse
back rowing, and walking together, and the
time allotted for my visit was fast drawing to a
close. .. 0 ~E,.
But, Lucy, whenever | thought Of return
/ inc home there would come such a sensation
t around my heart, that could almost wish
1 sometimes, that it would cease to beat altogeth
F.. er | know it was very wicked, but | could no
help it. ST.. -.~ ".
e zone evening, remember it as well as if !
: were but yesterday, we had been walking to
> gether, dr.. Louiston and | were seated beneatl
lofty oak. We were both of us silent. | Wa
: thinking with deep regret of returning to th
II city the next morning, for mamma had writer
u that must not delay my return another day
as papa and you were expected by the mex
steamer. AS the dew was fast falling, rose
:, and returned home AS we nearly reached tn.
1 door, dr. Louiston turned to me and said ''for
: give me, Mary, for the words | am about t.
" speak. When received your permission tt
S visit you, it was with the agreement that it was
: to be only as friend. But oh, Mary" he con
j. tinued earnestly. Il have found too late, al
others have found before me, that love has
u grown out of friendship, and Mary, forgive mt
: DEAR but must say it, have sometimes daree
yes! dared to hope that though your hand wa:
promised to another your heart was mine. Oh
that wild hope mightindeed prove reality, anc
: [ would not ask for more. ... .. .
MY head was lying on his shoulder, my
> hand lay passively in his. | had not the powel
to speak or move. | knew if should attempt it
L would only burst into tears ,"
"When we reached the piazza all was still
l Nothing was to be heard, but the dashing O.
: the waves against the shore. I sat down on q
/ seat on the porch, and gazed with filing eyes
+. into the blue sea. Oh, how wished l was bu
ried beneath those rocking waves, never more
, to see the light of day. But better thoughts
soon came, and when dr.. Louston bade me
farewell, and imprinted a kiss on my brow,
felt calm. Good night, Mary" he said, Il
respect you for the silence you have chosen to
keep. But oh! Mary, my life is all blank
now, and sometimes when you are surrounded
by the bright and gay, will you pause and be-
: stow one thought on him who must hereafter
lead dreary existence? Oh! Mary, Mary, that
we had never met"
ooh! how fondly was that wish ~eechoed
back in my own heart. But strove to be calm,
and bidding dr.. Louiston farewell, rushed into
the house.
'And now, Lucy, I need not go on you
know the rest. How, when few days after
papa had returned. he called me one morning
to the library, drawing me toward him and
kissing my brow, told me he had sad news for
me, and bade never again think Of my cousin
William, for six weeks ago $50 he had written
me, and papa had in mistaken kindness with
held the letter until bis return) he had married
an English girl, speaking of our engagement
only as childish attachment.
"My eyes were filled with tears of Joy now,
and I kased papa over and over again, who
looked at me wonderingly over his spectacles,
for he had expected to find me plunged in grief.
"And now, Louise, you remember my merry
wedding, and our removal to bay St. Louis and
that life ever since has been to me but one