Star of the Kanawha Valley. [volume] (Buffalo, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1856, 1855-12-12

~ me aunt would not be drilwn 10.
wards them in such a manner a. b
penetrate their love secret. When
at length, they parted, it was with an
understanding that they were ftomeet
| in London. r. - ~" 49,
On arriving tliere the thoughts Of
Ellen reverted more directly to the
Ftact Of Edward Hamden's aIIlproach.
ing visit, and, in spite Of allFher ef.
forts to remain uniisturbed in her
feelings, the near approach Of this
event agitated her. Mrs. Ravens.
worth frequently alluded to the sub.
lect, and earnestly pressed UPON Fl.
len the consideration of her duty 10
her parent, as well as the consequence
that must follow her disregard Of the
contract that had been made. Bin,
the more she talked on this subject
the moro firm was Ellen in expressing
|her determination not to do violence
TO her feelings in a matter sol vital to
her happiness. -.
The day atlength came upon which
Edward Hamtlen was to arrive. Fl.
len appeared in the morning. with a
disturbed air. 1t was plain to the
closely observing eyes Of her aunt,
that she had not passed a night Of re.
freshing sleep. =, H
u trust, my dear NIECE She said.
after they had retired from til q break.
last table, where but little food had
been taken, .that you will not exhib-
it towards Edward, on meeting him,
any of the pre-conceived and unjust
antipathy You entertain. Let your
feelings, at least, remain uncom mittcd
for or against him. ..s :. -. ..'
Aunt Hannah, it Is useles to talk
to me in this way replied Ellen, with
more than usual warmth The sim.
pie fact Of an obligation TO love puts
gulf between us. My heart turns
from him as from an enemy. I will
meet him with politeness;. but it must
be cold and formal. To ask of me
more. is to ask what cannot give
| only wish that he possessed. the
manliness | should have had, If SINH
larly situated. Were this so, | should
now be free hv this act, not my own
Seeing that all she urged but male
the feelings of Ellen oppose them
selves more strongly to the young
man, Mrs. 1tavenswerth c eased to
speak upon the subject, and the for
inner was left to brood with n deeply
disturbed heart over the approaching
interview with one who: ha come to
claim hand tllat>she' had resolutcly
determined not TO yield. ' .
I Abonat twelve o'clock Mrs. Ravens
worth came into Elleii's room, and
announced the arrival Of Edward
IIamden. The maidens' FACE became
pale and her lips quivered. ~..-
If T. couldn't be spared an inter
view,' she murmurcd;T' but that is
more than / can ask #.-I
| How weak You are. Ellen. replied
her aunt. in atone of rerroof II
i will join eyou in the drawing
room in half an holr,' sal d Ellen,
speaking more calmly.
Mrs. Rayellsworth retired and left
Ellen egain to her own though
She sat for nearly the whole of the
time she had mentioned. Then rising
hurrie1ly, she made a few changes in
her attire; after which she descended
to the drawing room with a step that
was far from being firm. ..'>=..-s
So noiselessly did she enter the
apartment where lIamdenI awaited
her, that neither her aunt nor the
young man percciveSher presence for
some moments; and she had time to
examine his appearance, and to read
the lineaments of his half averted
face. While she stood thus observ-
/ ing, her countenance suddenly flushed,
and she bent forward with o look OF
surprise and eagerness. -.
| Atthis moment the young man be-
came aware that she had entered, and
rising p..quickly advanced to meet
her. :: ILL.,. I !. If %<~sgs Il =. t.,.a5
'Evelynp exclaimed Ellen, striking
her hands together, the mo ment he
turned towards her. ae,. -@4 Sgd
+ Ellen, my own Ellenv returned
| the young man, as he grasped her
hand and ventured a warm kiss on
her beautiful lips. Not Evelyn but
Hamden. Our parents bctrothed us
while we were yet too young TO give
or withhold consent. Both as we
grew older, felt this pledge as q heart
sickening constraint. But We met as
\ strangers, and saw that you were all
Enly soul could desire. / sought your
affection and won it. No obligation
but'love now binds u.s. go 4 Itat
j The young man then turned to Mrs.
Ravenswortli, and said, sYou see,
i madam that we are not strangers.
Instead of!looking surprised she
!. smiled calmly, and answered, No
Hit would be singular if Won we're
4 Love-tokens don't generally pass, nor
familiar meetings take place between
\ strangers. ed lae ri. s,
i .Loye-tokens. amt Hannah, fell
III IL = 1;r,s &c Ella,, ond ala tuynad