The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-20

Anu mere you leave behind you father
my boy, who will protect the tender plant which |
is destined one day to be the crown of all your |
earthly JOY, the reward of all your selfdenial, |
your struggles, and your cares And now, God |
be with you, and comfort you on your path
MY blessing and hers also accompany you."
Deep IN the Utmost recesses of Mannerstedts
heart did the kind, gentle tones of the usually
stern old man find an echo. Filled with pow.
erful, holy feelings, he sprang up, and rushed
into the arms which were opened to receive
him.
Father was the only word he was capa-
BILE of uttering; but in this one word, so long
pent up within his heart, and which now
sounded so sweet, so well known, so dearly re-
membered-in this word there was that which
filed Mannerstedt's heart with an infnity of
bliss.
awe are becoming too soft-hearted, my dear
boy" said the Professor, making an effort to
regain his habitual composure. 81 love you,
as II you were my own son but now go hence,
and endeavor to recover yourself little, before
you visit her. At six o'clock / shall expect
you back. Farewell"
How Frank got home, where all was packed
for his departure, he hardly knew. He threw
himself upon chair, and allowed his eyes to
dwell upon each object which had become so
blended with his daily life. This chamber, in
| which he had lived through so many hours of
sorrow and of struggles, had grown dear to his
heart; and now, at last, it had to witness how
the bright, beaming rays of hope and Joy broke
through the darkness of the long. long night
which had cast its gloom so thickly upon his soul
He arose, and, as if mechanically, opened his
violin case ; and as he once more felt himself
alone with the long loved companion of his sor-
rows and his joys, his feelings became tran
quilted, and the sensations of his heart grew
calm, as they blended with the melting tones of
| harmony.
| Twilight fell. Frank put on his cloak, and
| took his way towards Mr.. Widen's house. All
the windows which looked upon the street were
dark. In Madame Widen's room alone glim.
mered solitary light. With sensation of al
most mysterious awe, he assembled the steps
the great corridor was not lighted, as usual,
and stiffness prevailed which awakened an
uncomfortable feeling. He tapped at the door
of the sitting room, but no friendly voice babe
him enter. He touched the latch, and, to his
great horror, found that the door was bolted.
| "Great God" sighed he, softly, "if l
should be compelled to depart, without taking
leave of her, that would be too, 700 hard"
| After couple of minutes reflection as to
how he was to attain his wish, he went to the
other side of the house, and into the kitchen
here he found only boy, who was employed
by Dame Bern as an errand-boy. The SER
wants had gone out upon their own affairs.
Dame Bern was with her mistress, and the maid
had received orders to keep the children quiet
in their own apartment.
"Good evening, Sven" said Frank, address
ing the lad is any one at home 2"
"Oh, yes, they are at home" replied the
boy, 4" but mistress is terribly i'll, and nobody
dare disturb MASTER and so it is all one, as if
| no one was at home"
"Well, but where is Miss Rosa Is she not
to be seen, either 2"
"Well, then, l cannot exactly tell you that,
sir; but she is in her room, know; for she
came through this just now, and lit candle;
and then she said she was going.yonder, in
case Dame Bern should want her."
"Now, just go up, and give Mr.. Manner
stedt's compliments and ask if he can see Miss
Rosa for few minutes, to take leave. Tell
her / am leaving this in an hour; and now be
quick, my boy, for l am in haste"
"Aye, aye, I'll tell her so," said Sven; and
snatched up the only candle which was burn
ing in the kitchen, to light him up the steps.
Eternally long did the minutes of the boys
absence appear to Frank and how his heart
| beat with anxiety and WEAKNESS At last he
came, creeping back.
"Well, what did she say?" cried Manner
stedt, catching his breath.
"She said the gentleman might walk UP.
Shall light you, sir?"
| And with this well-meant proposal, Sven re-
lighted his candle, which the wind had blown
out. "And now come along, SIR will go
first. But step softly; we must not make
noise"
And, so saying, away went Sven up the
stairs; Frank stepped lightly and softly after
him they passed through a long and handsome
corridor; at last Sven stopped, and said, "Here
it isl" and then was away down stairs, like
lightning, for fear Dame Bern should come in,
and find him away.
Meanwhile, our hero stood there in the dark,
with his hand On the latch of Rosas door. He
struggled to calm his quickened respiration,
but in vain he slightly turned the latch, and
at this moment it would be difficult to decide
which heart beat the loudest-that which was
inside the door, or out. At length the latch was
lifted, and Mannerstedt crossed the threshold.
"Welcome, Mr.. Mannerstedt," said soft,
beautiful voice; and Rosa stood before him. her
hand extended, as she offered him chair. Man
nerstedt believed himself in Paradise, and he
could have wished to have been excused from
speaking, to retain the illusion little longer,
and to be able in silence to gaze upon her with
his corporal as we'll as mental vision. Rosa
also felt something of the same kind but she
was a woman, and was aware that it was not
becoming thus to give way to her feelings Some
subject of conversation must be started.
| Mr.. Mannerstedt cannot see my parents
Oh, how very sorry am that the state of things
in our family will not allow of it."
She was silent, and it was now Mannerstedt's
turn to awaken from his dream. He bowed and,
leaning towards Rosa, said
"My dear Miss Widen, have heard this with
deep and heartfelt sympathy. Oh, have heard
much, too, besides"
Rosa's bushes seemed as if they must have
scorched her cheeks, and she famed herself to
cool their glow; as to an answer, that was out
of the question.
| ~ am to start at six O'clock" Mannerstedt
resumed, after slight pause, and from this
hour | shall bear the recollection of my fairest
and happiest hours at H. These memories
will sweeten the days and years which will prob
ably elapse, ere | again shall be so inexpressi-
bly, happy; and perhaps, even, shall never see
Miss Widen again"
The infinite pang which this idea awakened
in Franks heart gave him courage-brghtt tears
stood in the maidens eyes. Oh, it was so bit
ter, bitter to part now; but to think of this mo-
ment as the last in which she should ever see
him-him who was all to her. Oh, in this
thought was an abyss of anguish.
Both sat silent
| "Will Rosa miss me 2" he inquired SOFTLY
And as her glance met his, and gave him the
reply her lips refused to utter, he took her hand
closely regarding the finger which still bore
slight trace of the betrothal ring, and said with
deep and suppressed emotion
"Should l ever return, will not this have
long been encircled with another symbol of
constancy and TRUTH"
"No, no, assuredly it will not !" she replied,
4 L I