The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-03
VOL. Y.


deep full voice filled the church with its rich
and harmonious tones, Hilda thought her
bosom could have hardly contained her over
flowing sensations. She lowered her head, and
sweet and blissful tears trickled silently down
her cheeks. Never yet had she attended
sacred service of God, which had made such a
profound impression upon her az this.
From the pulpit, Wallinder addressed them
with the same dignity and selfpossession, com
mon to many beside himself. He never de-
generated into commonplace, everyday Ian
guage, yet never made parade of his rhetori-
cal powers his words found a fresh garland of
faith, hope, and peace. When the service was
concluded, and the congregation had come out
into the church yard, Hilda walked silently at
her mothers side. Mrs. Borgenskold wiped
away the traces of some tears, as she leant
lightly on Hilda's arm, and asked
"My child, can you call to mind ever having
heard so beautiful a sermon at H"
Hilda replied with but one word, "never,"
and continued her path in silence, until she
heard her fathers voice, as he came gasping
after them
Elizabeth, my old lady, will you not ask
the Master how he does? have him with me
here"
The ladies turned and perceived papa and
Mr.. Wallinder approaching arm in arm. a holy
and tranquil seriousness still rested upon the
Young preachers manly features. Mrs. Bor-
genskold welcomed him cordially, and simply
and sincerely thanked him for his edifying dis
course. He bowed in silence but as he turned
Immediately to Hida, who had said nothing,
and inquired how she had been since the last
agreeable evening which he had spent in their
company at Lindfors, the good Lieutenant
seized the opportunity, and asked his wife, in a
whisper, whether it would be fitting to invite
nod, and then addressed Wallinder with the
invitation to accompany them to Lindfors, to
dine, and spend the remainder of the day.
Wallinder made few complimentary ex
cuses, but the affair was soon settled the old
one-seated chaise drew up, and Wallinder, see
ing that there was room but for one, asked
/ Hilda how she was going.
81 walk with papa"
"Then perhaps you would let me drive you
over. 1t is really long walk to church, with
ont having to walk back again; and trust you
will not deny my request"
"But," objected Hilda, it would be too
tiresome for papa to have to walk back alone.
No. cannot allow that"
"Well, then, let us settle it another way /;
Lieutenant Borgenskold shall drive my drosch-
/ ky, and, as we all three cannot go in it, will
accompany Miss Hilda on foot. Won't that
do, Lieutenant?'
"Oh, dear, no! there is no need of that;
Hilda can 90 in the droschky, as / can get
seat with Farmer Bro, whose road passes Lind
fors, and so you need have no care for me-"
"Well, then, that makes us all right" smiled
Hilda, as Wallinder helped her into his pretty
carriage, and letting Polly go, they were soon
at Lindfors.
The dinner was in readiness for them on
their arrival. AS they were seating them
! al oil to archh
fathomable pockets, said, 81 met the post by
the way, and there were two letters for you,
Hilda."
When. papa had fshed out the bundle of
newspapers, together with his spectacles, mem
orandum book, pocket handkerchief, and laid
them all in order upon the table beside him,
he at last produced the letters.
"Ah from Rosa" said Hilda, with a move
ment of JOY, putting by the first letter. "Then
she has kept her word, dear, good Rosa, and
sent me letter to glad my heart Immediately
after my arrival at my new home. But there
is another; from whom can that be-" She
glanced at the address, and the blood rushed
to her cheeks-so powerful may be the effect
of an affection past and gone. 1t was in Cap
tain Ferdinands hand.
"This letter. said she, with tolerable self
possession, lis from my cousin, Captain Ling.
He was for some time engaged to my dearest
friend, Rosa Widen, but certain unpleasant
family occurrences caused the match to be bro
ken off,"
! Wallinder bowed slightly, as people general
/ ly do when they believe that story Is told
| them which is capable of yet another explana-
ton besides that which they receive. The
conversation at dinner rather tagged; and as
soon az they had taken coffee, Hilda, pointing
to her letters, said to Wallinder-
] L. g hat In
mans Inheritance; therefore, trust ] may be
excused for leaving you to satisfy mine"
When she had withdrawn, and the Lieuten-
ant had slipped off to his room for his usual
/ nap, Mrs. Borgenskold signed to Wallinder to
take seat beside her upon the sofa. Heaven
knows what made her think it necessary to
anticipate all chance of a misunderstanding
She proceeded to detail to the willing ear of
Wallinder the whole affair between Ferdinand
and Hilda, from beginning to end, even to the
Captains present efforts to replace himself
upon the old footing with Hilda, and her daugh-
ter's decided repugnance to anything OF the
sort.
(Which will always remain the same" said
Mrs. Borgenskold, So she concluded her conf
Dental communications, for Hilda despises
him, and will never marry man Who has once
shown himself unworthy of her esteem"
Love, my dear lady, has done greater won
ders than that" urged Waliinder-most proba-
bly,, however, only for the pleasure OF being
contradicted.
Glove! aye, that would be quite another
thing, my dear Master Wallinder but / have
said already that it is all over with Hilda's love
long ago; it is all past and gone"
When, after an hour, Hilda returned, there
was trace of sad and thoughtful melancholy
upon her usually smiling lips. She found her
parents and Wallinder engaged in converse
ton about the promise Of an ABUNDANT harvest
and the luxuriant flax crop, which was cause
of infinite rejoicing to mamma.
"Well, Hida had you good news 2" asked
papa, stopping fresh pipe.
But $685." replied Hilda. evasively; I" the
trouble still continues in the Widen family"
"Oh, yes, there is never any want of trouble"
said papa. "Apropos of troubles ours of this
morning just occurs to me, Hilda and must
ask Master Wallnder how it was that we
CHANGED to hear him preach this morning at our
chapel they told US, on the way, that Dahlstedt
was to preach"
I" The fact is that it really was his turn" re-
piled Wallinder, " but he felt 30 unweli, that
he sent message to me to preach for him
the church where l should have preached being
very near his house"
"That was piece of good fortune for u.s."
said Hilda.
"Miss Hilda is too polite 1 hardly venture
to believe that you really think So"
"Oh, yes, indeed, the Master may take our
word for it." assured the Lieutenant; for, is
it not true, Hilda, that you half thought of
turning back again, when we learned that
Dahlstedt was to preach ~
"No, no, not on that account" said Hilda,
bushing redder than the rose she had placed
in her hair. "Does not papa recollect, then,