The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-10

which re-awakened my recollections of by-gone
days; 81 wish to speak to YOU"
And, so saying, he entered little side cabi-
net, and carefully closed the door, and then
clasped me to his bosom, with an expression of
paternal Joy, | might almost say pride.
"What has happened, my dearest father !? " in
quired i, almost trembling at what his answer
might prove, "what has made papa SO cheer
ful?"
"The most fortunate, the most unlooked-for
event, my dear Rosa; quite an extraordinary
favor of Providence" added be, as he wiped
away a tear from his eye" an event which
makes my heart bound with sensation of hap
piness, such as have never felt before
/ felt myself quaking more and more; my
heart beat with foreboding of some coming
sorrow was in a perfect tremor, from head
to foot. My father now spoke, my head turned
dizzy, and could hardly support myself; and
of all he said to me, the last words alone re-
sounded in my ears.
your parents" And he placed two letters in
my hand, and left the room. And those letters,
Hilda, from whom were they? Oh, you have
sueeiy anticipated, ard also forebodedsit at
once They were from Garben. The first
which / opened was to my father, and merely
informed him, in a few words, that his former
alliance was broken off; and that he, being
now free, would esteem it his greatest happ-
ness, could an engagement be brought about
between the Merchant Widen's family and HIM
| self, &C., &c.
The letter to myself l copy for you, word for
word
"DEAR AND CHARMING Rosa: A train of cir
cumstances, too painful to dwell upon, had
caused g GOODNESS towards me in the heart of
my affianced bride, during my absence in Swe-
| den; her feelings have totally changed. She
| said she had learned to feel that l could never
render her happy-that her heart was another's
/ AS soon as l became aware of this, | released
! her at once from her promise of hand which
| / wished not to possess, since her heart could
| no longer accompany it. -Four months have
now elapsed since these unpleasant events, du-
ring which my thoughts have often fingered
with you. The bold hope which animates my
| heart, and moves me to write these lines, is the
thought that Rosa will perhaps not slight the
offer of the affection and hand of an honest
man, who has not wish beyond being permit
ted to conduct her, as his wife, to his now lone
| ly home. Should | be fortunate enough to re-
ceive happy confirmation of this hope-a kind
and asserting answer will not delay an in
slant in offering my homage and gratitude in
person. GARDEN"
Oh, Hilda, imagine my feelings as | read
| this simple and confidential letter. Oh, how
painful it wasl | felt that respected and es-
| teemed him, but | could not love him for
could not tear from my heart the image that
had there found home, ! feel quite sinsible
that an alliance with such man as Mr.. Gar
| ben might have really been looked upon as
happiness, had l not already learned to know
and love Mannerstedt but now, for me, there
is no happiness in life without him. Oh my
poor, poor heart and time flies so rapidly
evening is drawing on, and my hours of liberty
will soon be over. You must know that this
morning, when my father left me, | withdrew
! the KEY and desired TO be left alone until even.
ing. My parents permitted this, but at seven
o'clock, mamma has begged of me to come
down.
fear they will be sadly disappointed, and
pray that they may forgive me.
! Three hours OF liberty and quiet have prof
tied by, to lay my troubles before your sympa-
thizing heart and it is as well to send you the
| letter at once, for / may not be able to con-
tinue it for time. Ny poor head begins to
| grow giddy beforehand, at the idea of the storm
which threatens me and may find it hard to
get an hour very soon, to tell you ell the de-
tails; and so farewell, my Hilda.
| Pray give the consolation of q few lines to
| your sad and sorrowful Rosa.
| The second letter, from Captain Ferdinand,
we must also lay before our readers it was
quite in the gallant Captains style, and as fol-
| lows
BELOVED, ADoRED HHDA; Once more, for
it would be too. too painful, were | compelled to
tear hope forever from my heart. No. that /
cannot, cannot bring myself to do and so once
more, oh, my Hilda, / ask you whether an en-
tire life of repentance and love cannot still
atone for what have, in levity and necessity,
been guilty of? You know, too, that during
1 uhOlo Il
my heart, although--but no matter-I have so
often explained that 70 you already; it was a
misfortune-an insanity-in ore word, it was
my fault; but you, Hilda, you might be my good
| genius All yet might be well-aye, in truth,
all might be appiness-Paradise again for
the Professor has reiented and is kind and it
is quite evident that he misses you, and he Of
ten says, when Rosa, on account of her nur,er-
Gus avocations at home, has been obliged to
shorten her visits, or make them less frequent,
and Madame Brun can no longer look after the
tea properly, "What q pity that | have to re-
greet Hilda's loss she understood exactly how
| liked my tea; now, it is either too strong or
too weak" Oh, Hilda, when he thus speaks, |
see very we'll that but little is wanting to urge
him to confirm my happiness, if you would be
less barbarous and memorable. My beloved
Hlda, only tell me that you will forgive me,
and will fly to that old abomnable Lindfors,
/ to offer peace and reconciliation to you ALL
| await your answer in torturing suspense
your last decision in this matter; for / swear to
you, Hida-yes, swear it, soleHlnly and firm.
ly-that | will never again trouble you With
another entreaty, if you repulse me now; but
you are not so cruel. Oh be kind, Hilda, and
forgive; be good and friendly, as you used to
be, prays your truly repentant FERDINAND.
"No, no, my dear cousin" said Hilda to her.
self, as she glanced through the letter once
more. "Ao, no; that is all labor in vain, and
now more than ever" for Hilda's thoughts were
lingering and dreaming about the Neck's love
ly isle. Ferdinand will soon console him
self; on his account l have no anxiety. Worse,
much worse, are matters with my poor Rosa.
Oh, how many painful struggle will not her
heart base 10 undergo-yes, her sufferings are
almost boundiess. know her well, and how
deep is her love; to renouace it would be her
( death and then to embitter, TO snnihiiate, the
only nope, the only source of comfort, which
her parents have remaining-that, to soul like
hers, glll be hard indeed. And then the ap-
parent ingFatt4de to Garben. On whichever
side look, see no orsght gpct--all is dark
oh, so dark; and / tremble at the thought lest
her warmest, most fervent feelings NAV be com.
PEELED to yield to duty and gratitude.
/, Hilda sighed deeply; she felt for Rosa's sor.
rows from her heart, and fervently thanked God
: ed for the next letter, however, though she
, trembled at her thought of receiving it, snd
calculated, in her mind, how long it might be
ere it could be looked for.