The Panola star. ([Panola] Panola County, Miss.) 1856-1857, 1856-08-27
TIE cRUNIPLED ROSE-LEAF.

had left her there completing her toilet
and while awaiting her appearance, half
buried myself amid the luxurious cush
ions of an ottoman, and revelled in sweet
dreams of the past and blessed anticipa-
tions of the future. [ had been three
weeks husband, the happiest of the hap
py. My bride was young lovely, loving
and beloved-my fortune ample-my
health and spirits excellent-and my
friends many and pleasant. But there
was one crumpled rose-leaf in the Sy-
barite's blooming bed, and even my re-
verie was not all joy. In order to explain
the little incident which had slightly ruff
fed my composure, it will be necessary to
recall a previous period in my history.
Among the numerous aspirants to the
fair hand of Ellen Fitzroy, there was none
whose attractions | had so much cause to
dread as those of my friend, the hand
some and fascinating Lord Henry de Lisle
He was gay, good-humored and thought
less; and though evidently sincere in his
devotion to the beautiful girl, possessed
an elastic temperament which would be
sure to rebound from disappointment. |
on the contrary, had staked my all upon
the issue; and whist my friend, with the
| light-hearted carelessness peculiar to his
| character, allowed me to profit by many
an opportunity which he might have i'm
proved to his own advantage, | was jeal-
usly fearful of his slightest advance in
er favor. As for Ellen, she was all gen
encss and sweetness to both; and to
asual observer there was not a percepti-
le shade Of difference in her manner to-
5ards Lord Henry and myself. But l,
iho watched her with lovers solcitude,
detected much that was invisible to others,
whether favorable to my wishes or other
Use, could not for my life determine
saw the soft blush spring to that youth
ii cheek at my approach, as if rose
#lc rose of love-were just born in her
cart! but whenever | dared to speak of
assion and of hope, though her sweet
louth smiled as bewitchingly as ever.
er eyes, downcast or averted, were sure
} fill with tears; and she would often
Urn abruptly from me, as if my presence
ere painful, and linking her arm with
ster's freedom in that of my friend, suf-
r him to lead her INTERESTINGLY away
ne evening-it was the eve of her birth
ny, which was to be celebrated by ball
4 the ensuing night-no one was present
i've her sisters, Lord Henry, and myself.
he young ladies were gaily discussing
leir dresses for the occasion, and Ellen
lrning playfully towards us, asked if she
hould wear diamonds or pearls.
' Oh! diamonds in that beautiful dark
IF, by all means,' exclaimed Lord
| Henry
'|Pearls and blue eyes," said l, in a
low tone.
For an instant those eyes were raised
to mine, and though Immediately with
drawn, there was something in their elo-
quent glance which made my heart throb
with emotions of hope and rapture, such
as | had never before experienced. The
sisters meanwhile were unanimous in the
condemnation of my taste, and in appro-
val of Lord Henry's; and then with arch
looks and meaning tones, wondered 'what
Ellen would wear now.'
Ellen blushed and smiled, but did not
speak; and / unable to command the
feelings which that thrilling look had
raised, hastily took my leave.
The visions of that night decided my
fate; for dreamed of leading the sweet
| girl to the altar; and early the next morn
ing, after purchasing a pearl chain of rare
beauty, enclosed and sent it in a letter.
containing an ardent avowal Of affection,
and requesting that if there were the
slightest hope of reciprocity, its pledge
might be her wearing my gift on her birth
day night.
The day passed in fever and ague of
hope and fear, and in the evening at a
most unceremoniously early hour, drove
to Lady Fitzroy's. l was the first arrival
but was soon joined in the drawing room
by Lord Henry, and in few moments af-
ter, by the sisters of Ellen. The young
est, gay, thoughtless thing, who was
wild with delight at being allowed to ap-
pear for the first time at a ball, exclaim-
ed, the moment she saw US, sAh, you
NAV both wear the willow now. Ellen
!. will have nothing to do with either; she
has lent her diamond chain to Georgiana,
and has given me her pearl. To the last,
particularly,' she continued, with an en-
phasis playfully malicious, she declares
she has conceived a sudden and uncon-
querable aversion.o
As she finished speaking, the handle of
the door moved, as if tremblous and
hesitating hand were upon tit turned
the door half opened-there was mo-