The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-07-27

ing hearts that probably at that moment
were mourning her,absence, or rscearchinp for
her. We addressed ourselves in kinly tones
to her, but she needed us not; she was con-
versing with one who was invisible to us, but
who alone occupied her thoughts.
AT last she commenced to sing her favor
ite air:
! 40, Willie, tarry not so long:
| My heart is aching nowp
A voice % sweet, so plaintive, I had never
listened to before, and when l would
have spoken to my companion, he seemed
wholly unconcious of me, and only exclaim.
ed: GraciousI what do l hear Am |
mad What spell has come over me
Again that voice
"How can sing my evening song,
When thou art far away |"
What was there in that song that so affec-
ted my friend Could it be he had ever
heard it before, and that visions of past
joys were thus brought to his mind2
| When the sweet sounds had died away,
felt that it was our duty, if possible to find
some shelter from the chilly dampness of
the night, though knew not whittier to 90.
A darkness that could almost be felt was
upon us but to remain where we were
was not to be thought of We made an
effort to lead our friend down the steep rocks:
but she only said: My Willie's not here
now, and | must 60 alone And we silent.
ly followed, only knowing where she was
by the gentle rustling of the bushes, as she
passed along. AT last the sound was no
longer heard. We spoke, but spoke in vain;
we called, no answer came. Again we were
bewildered we listened, not breath save
the moaning wind and storm. We gather
ea some sticks and lighted fire, and, with
our simple torches, searched about to find
the fairy being We had lost. At least dis
covered slight path, and following its wind
ings, soon found myself at the door of a rude
cave, which was fully determined to enter,
not knowing but it was the abode of some
wild beast that would meet me with
anything but welcome embrace. William
was near, and with our torches we lighted
the rude hall, made in natures roughest
manner. We had not proceeded far, when
we found the object of our search, standing
like statute of stone, seemingly parayzed
with fear. Heretofore her palace had been
sacred 10 herself for five long years had
she reigned alone in that forest, and not once
had been greeted by human voice. Now the
sound that met her ears seemed to awaken
dreams OF the past. She listened; her eve
wandered from one to the other, MS we ad-
dressed her but when William spoke, the
change of countenance told tale that words
at that time, could not tell. Ihad not known
him long, therefore all to me was mystery !:
not so with him, and unable longer 10 res
tram his feelings, he sprang forward, and,
seizing her hand, exclaimed:
Tell me, thou long lost idol Of my
heart, dost thou know me once again Thy
Willie has come home; speak, speak, and
tell him thou art all his own I
She stood unmoved, and in low monot-
onous tone soliloquized
Why has he staid so long One year,
he said, was all, and then, o then, what ioy
would be mine! But no the weary years
have passed, and am still alone
He spoke again:
This is indeed too much how can /
bear it Mary, my own; look, look upon
my face, and see that am come !!
She raised her melting eyes, and said:
/ dream, and hush did / not hear his
yoice2 did he not beckon me and say,
come! o yes knew he would be true =
and she elapsed her hands in ectacy of
JOY.
was indeed painful scene to me ;
reader do not think | could stand unmoved
and witness that almost agony Of my friend,
and that dreadful loss of reason in one SO
lovely, so true. to him she held SO dear.
The night had nearly passed, and / pro-
posed, with the early dawn, TO go to the
nearest village, procure conveyance, and
having taken the direction TO her fathers
mansion, r,,..oceecde Immediately thither Ia
distance Of about fifteen miles, anu LssT nesi
the glad tidings to those parents who had
long mourned her rs dead. AS have be-
fore said, we were five miles from the near
est village, and thither, with hurried steps,
proceede, scarcely having thought save
that Of speed, lest some unseen cloud might
cover the bright vision that wholly absorb
ed me.
Long before the sun reached its meridian
height, I drove up TO the door Of thepaternal
mansion, and with trembling hand rung
the bell, II was answered by q servant, who
lushered me in and to myi INQUIRY if Mr.. and
Mrs. MetcalfNere in, replied they were, but
that he WIS now at the bedside of his wife,
who was dangerously III Of fever. gave
my card with the name of a stranger, but