Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-07-12

gence? 1t must have been a sinister and
cynical prophesier-we did not, We do confess
nor did Aubrey. Though, at times, his poor,
hope-sick heart was wrung by jealousy, ever
the accompanier of strong passion, his trust
in Helen would triumph he would exclaim !:
know her noble nature, her high princi-
pie, her truth, her warm heart. She will
never break her plighted troth, she will throw
aside this strange infatuatiOn, and more than
reward me for all my wakeful nights, bitter
thoughts and sad forebodings. She will be
mine. shall yet glory in her genius and
affection. Helen's heart is pure-purity en-
circles her like the air she breathes. Every
thought, every expression is lovely-and none
can appreciate, as I do, the delicacy, purity,
and freshness Of her nature"
1t, indeed, appeared to Aubrey, that, of the
| circle Helen moved in, she was the sun bright
ening every face and gladdeping every heart,
and not even a satellite was near, q bright
flower in desert, /" a lovely line of poetry in
a world of prose-" Aubrey still followed in the
beam of her sunny smile, and in the element
of happiness which che breathed, was the
only one who sighed.
Prithee, excuse the long, very long digrss-
sion, gentle reader
| Nay, greet not, Aubrey" said Helen
+" the little love will be resuscitated, and yet
bask in thy smiles; although from the porten-
tious length Of thy visage it would seem of
rather doubtful truth"
| Z" He would, indeed, be resuscitated," said
Aubrey, in calm and impressive tone, ",f
one true and faithful Heart could revive
him."
| "Yet remember, Aubrey, they tell us of
| old he is only happy in smiles the merry
sportive little god he snaps his strings after
sunny smiles are withdrawn-warmth is his
life and element. And now have read thee
homily on love, must away for -, where
/ 4 To fhaa lrad in
smiles. IA revotr." So saying she gayly
kissed her hand to Aubrey, and tripped out of
| the room-and he did smile even at the mem
| ory of her smiles
Aubrey had determined to know on the
| morrow tho worst Fate had in reserve for
him. Hope deferred had made his heart sick;
| he with desperation had resolved to tell He.
len Of his intended embark alton for Europe in
| few days-thOugh, did she but utter then
one kind, joy giving or encouraging word, the
whole world could offer naught to tempt him
| from her side. Will she utter the soft word
Helen. In her young and unshadowed love-
| Illness, was the gayest of the gay that night;
beauty's light" gladacned every heart, and
every cOuntenance met her with smiles, which
were reflected in her own-the beautiful are
over joyous. Yet even Helen's lovely brow
was shaded when thos, bright-roving, bewil-
dering eyes rested on the pale and anxious
cOuntenance of Aubrey, and one could see
those beauteous lashes quickly cast down when
his restless and disturbed glance met hers
yet the jest, the laugh, the song went on
many, beautiful, and recherche were the COM
pliments whispered in Helen ear that night
Aubrey entered not the charmed ring, yet
though she appeared deaf to the voice of the
charmer, was she alone heard, felt aud seen
every word was caught and treasured up as
food for Memory, young Loves shadow
enough for him to gaze his hll on that bright
oioht ha
gaze
Once and once only dId Aubrey approach
Helen. He then told her, in low and hurried
words, of his intended departure, how long,
very long, he had lived on the hope of again
winning her love, for he was now painfully
convinced he had lost it-of his unutterab!e |
anguish in the conviction-he told her that
tho love he bore her needed not to be express
ed, that she we'll knew his deep. his fervent |
Observation-Disclosures had she never inspired it, |
than he should awake from such a dream-a
dream of more than earthly happiness, for he |
had madly, foolisbly dreamed that she re-
turned it.
Confused, agitated, surprised, Helen found
no words for utterance. Just then, too, young
Beverton, the most d,sti1lgue and elegant ex-
quisite in all -, was coming toward them,
holding in his hand a double almond which |
he had taken from one shell, one Of which he |
presented to Helen, saying
Now We shall see, Miss Leslie, whether l |
am or not, when 'Out of sight, out of mind
for you know the Philopena is the test of |
friendship well as lOve-since, if il be for
gotten, one is fearfully certain the memory of |
the donor is not dwelt upon with pleasure
since you could not retain the recollection of /
it for so short period"
Take this then, Helen," whispered Au- /
brcy, as he presented one to her, " on it shall /
hang my happiness or misery-the fate Of ma /
L. i IL - - 4
he added, in a trembling tone" remember,
oh, remember-one little word from your lips |
will decide whether l shall be a wanderer |
without aim, or end of existence or remain by
your side with too much of happiness for NOR
tails lott
"Why SO precipitate, Aubrey go impetu-
ous?"
"Precipitate. impetuOus oh say not SO,
Helen if you could know this poor, weary, |
hope-sck heart-ay, if you could but know of |
the restless waking nights of wo-of the long, |
long, listless days l pass, and long have pass
ed, you tcOHLd not, you could not think so 20
So saying, and almost choked with contending /
emotions, Aubrey left the room, nor entered it 1
more that night
Slowly and heavily passed to Helen the re-
manning hours change came over her
spirit Aubrey stood before her in a new
light Never before had she appreciated his
patient, enduring and accomplishing attach
mcnt. She reprOachfully asked herself how
did she reward such devotion! Apparently /
with perfect recklessness and Indifference.
Keen and bitter were the pangs Helen felt /
that night as she rested her head on the pillow.
The next day Aubrey came not-his was
despair unutterable-he felt assured, from the /
few words that escaped Helen in her agitation,
that he had naught to hope-he would embark
on the morrow-should see Helen in the ta5
Ieaur, which was fixed for that evening All /
his preparations were made, and he now waited
with fevsrish anxiety the coming of evening,
when he should behold for the last time the
object of his hearts idolatry. He would
take no leave-he could not say farewell!
The shades of evening darkened around.
All was in readiness for the tabfedvT-the
frame, the stage, the light disposed ny an
artist. "Then there was hurrying to and tro,
and all the world arrived. The music was
soft and souI.tbriIIing; many and beautiful
beyond our fancy's fairest picturine were the
ta5Isaur, "breathins and Frightening" before
II