The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-06-01

hair was parted in the centre, and ripplet
down over either shoulder. His black, un
fathomable eyes were full Of slumbcring
passionate FIRE, and his moustached upper
lip was proud, self reliant, and determined
And yet his was also the face Of poet. i
kindled up with kind Of inspiration, which
made its beauty seem almost superhuman
as he watched the sunset. But Jessie Fal
coner, standing close at his side, never no
ticcd 1t. She was very young and very fair
at least so every one said, who looked or
the daughter of the widowed master Of Fal.
couer Hall, in her fresh, innocent lcveliness
She had sweet, and yet classical features
chiseled not too severely after the Greciar
model. Her hair was Of that light, peculia,
tint that poets call golden and her eye,
were blue as the azure satin Of her robe
Standing by Paul Ernstein's side, she turn
cd away her gaze from the glory Of the sun
set, and the more wonderous glory of bis
face, in the flush Of inspiration. A gay
young cavalier reincd up his fiery steed be-
fore the balcony, and dofed his plunied hat,
bending his head well nigh to his saddle
bow.
His face was handsome, rather than beau
tiiul The greatest charm was in the look
of sunshine that danced in and out Of the
hazel eyes, lurked roguishly in the twists
and kinks Of his brown hair. and played
hidc-and-go seek in the corners of that ex-
pressive mouth.
He was Col. Falconer's nephew and ward
and his pure English descent was unmis-
taxable. Paul Ernsteiu, on the other hand
the young master Of the proud estate oI
Ravnswood, was born, rs one might easily
guess, who looked on him, Of an italian
mother; while it was the German blood,
mingling with the English, on his father s
side, that lent 10 his character depth oi
mysticism, peculiar to the land Of Goethe,
and gave him fondness for the occult
sciences, which was almost matter Of ter.
tor to his simple-minded tutor. He toe
had been placed by his dead father, under
the guardianship of Col. Falconer, and though
he had already attained his majority, he still
fingered at Falconsr Hall.
Philip Leslie spurred his fiery jennet tc
the very brink Of the steep terrace, und ther
drew him back so suddenly that he was al,
most overthrown.
"Pailip, oh, Philip, cried the young
girl, watching him with scream Of terror
and at the sound Of her voice, Paul Ernsiein
turned round, and fixed his eyes search
ingly rpon her. Recovering little from
her fright, she smiled, though her lace was
still very pale and then bending over the
balcony, she entreated, promise me, on
ly promise me, cousin Phil, you will neye,
venture that again. You might try it once
too oiten.r ..
"Nay, Jessie, cousin mine, I must have
bribe. Give me that white rosebud il
your hair, and I promise"
Paul Ernstein listened breathlessly. Tha,
very afternoon the white rosebud had beer
refused to his own prayers-and would she
give It to another before his eyes
"Be generous" she answered laughingly
"and promise what ask, for knightly cour
tesy 10 me-"
"Nay, nay, the bribe," and he looked up
once more with smile Of confident assur
ance.
Paul Ernstcin watched the scene, with BIZ
whole soul looking from his eyes. Th'
maiden saw him, and her fingers trembled
but she slowly uniasteuod the rose, and
bending over the terrace, let it fall. Th'
gay cavalier underneath caught it, pressed
4. calamity to his lips, and then fastened il
in the band Of his slouched hat, and looking
upward, uttered his thanks. At that mo
mcnt the wind blowing around tho wes
wing Of the Hall, swept the blossom OF from
its stem, and down before the feet Of PhiliI
Leslie's charger. All three saw IL lie there
pure and white, and to the young men wht
had both striven for it, 50 precious; but bo
fore young Leslie could dissngago his fec
from the stirrups, Paul Erns,ein had swuul
himself over the balustrade. and let himsel
down by one Of the smooth pillars, on which
the balcony was supported, and at tho peri
of his own life, gathered up the halfcru,het
blossom from under the trampling hoOfs o.
the hunter.
Bravoly doue," cried Philip Leslie, in
voluntarily, n Ernstein, springing aside
srea,urcd-(oh, was not this ac. prophetic |!
-the flower for which he had dared o
much, in his bosom. " Bravely done, an,
| you may surely keep what you have won, q
risk Of life and limb" .e .er
But Paul needed him not; he was look
ing upward toward the balcony, where Jessi
ralconer bent smiling over-her sweet face
which had turned so pale when even . fan
cicd danger threatened Philip bcamiu
radiant no,s. He sighed bitterly, and turn
ed away.
That evening the threo sat tossthef in th
spacious drawinsrcom Of Falconer Hail.
Old Col. Talconer. in his armchair at th
orisl window, had drowsed into sleep; an
Jessie, in mood Of teasing ooquetry, va
chatting merily With her "Cocsin Phil.
Young Ernssein. Of Rasenswood, sat for
half hoar In silence, bu, hs spOks at length