The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-01-30

thanked the Giver of all good for the new Joy
bestowed upon her. Laura's was an earnest,
thoughtful nature, and all emotions lef an in
dellble impression upon her loving heart; she
was not one to part with her love lightly, but,
once given, it could not be recalled T4t
Walter was now well enough to be out, and
Grace was expected home daily. .trsta,a@s
Laura was seated in her own room sewing,
when her cousin burst in upon her. Let me
pause moment to describe Grace Danvers
She was amost charming combination of blonde
and brunette beauty. Her eyes were dark
hazel, shaded by black brows and lashes,
while her hair was light yellowish brown, fall
ing in profusion of shiny curls on her should
ers; her features were regular, and her COM
pexion pure red and white; her figure was
petite, but most exquistely rounded, while her
hands and feet were tiny as a fairy's. es3lg
t,z "'Dear Laura!' she cried, as she sprang in
to her cousins arms, '.I'm SO oEglad to be at
home again. So | hear you have been having
a sick knight here while was gone; long let
ters from a certain cousin ofmine not mile off,
full of a handsome squire most dolefully sick
reached me, | saw him at the gate, and instead
of a pale, interesting YOUTH he struck me as
being in most stupid state of health Lost
your heart, Laura eh?'' ''>'
t Nonsense, Grace" replied Laura 'syou
are wild with spirits. How did you leave Mrs
Ellis and Fanny2' sea5siess5 81 ;so ssl ha g9fs5@
.Well-every body WE'LL said Grace ..But
here comes Mr.. Elliot up the avenue; you must
introduce me-" And bounding across the
room, the gay beauty smoothed her curls, ar
ranged her collar more to her satisfaction, and
announced her readiness to be presented to
Walter. r.. s.mrs Co. :=--.z ,..- ,..ss
The young man gave a start of delighted
surprise when his eyes fell upon Grace. Her
pale blue dress, which was cut so as to leave
her falling shoulders and round white arms
bare, set off to the utmost advantage her ex-
quisite complexion and golden curls; her drive,
additional tinge of color to her cheeks, and
her eyes sparkled with animation. Walter
bowed gracefully, and they were soon engaged
ia lively conversation Laura left them to-
gether, and went to read the papers to her
uncle, her regular evening task. @='F7-5. 9s-7s
So it began, and so evening after evening it
continued. Laura was obliged to devote two
or thee hours to her uncle, while Grace and
Walter took moonlight walks, or conversed to-
gether in the piazza or her Cousins clear sweet
voice rose and fell on the night air in songs,
while a manly tone mingled with the strain,
and Grace's guitar accompanied the delicious
music.
Day by day Laura's face grew paler and
paler, and Walter felt that there was no bliss
to him like Gaace's presence; yetneither dared
to speak of the change. Laura saw that the
love between these two was stronger than Wal
ter's love for her had ever been; but she sick
ened when she tried to speak Of it, and he
dared not approach the subject.
1t was late one evening when the cousins
had retired to their own room, that Laura no.
tlced how very sad Grace looked. She was
panied, for Grace, like Shakspeare's Beatrice
had ''little of the melancholy element in her, .
and Laura knew that nothing but some grie
could SO cloud her young joyous face
''Grace, what troubles you?" she said, draw
ing the young girl to her side. -9
"Oh, Laura sobbed her cousin, Il am sc
miserable!' se .....-...
why, darling, what can make you unhap-
py?" '..s
'I-I-well, I may as well tell you all
Laura; perhaps you can comfort me. This
evening, while was walking with Walter he
told me that he loved me-
"Loved you, Grace?'' exclaimed Laura
,"Yes,'' she replied. t'but he is engaged tc
somebody else! And oh, I love him SC
much!'
''He should not have told you if he is bound
to another" said Laura.
HE did not mean to tell me-" replied Grace;
"but he loves me SO mYch that he could not
refrain from letting me know it,"
''How can he love you and her too?" said
Laura, astonished at her own calmness.
HE don't love her." said Grace; ''but he
says he was once far away from home very
sick, and she nursed and took care of him just
as you did, Laura, and he fancied he was in
love, because he felt so grateful to her, and SO
he asked her to be his wife. She said she
would and he thinks he is bound BY honor to
fulfil his engagement. She cannot love him as
| do''
''What is her name?" inquired Laura.
''He would not tell me-" replied Grace;
''and he asked me never 10 tell any one what
he had told me; but he could not have meant
you, Laura, for I tell you everything"
Laura caressed and kissed her cousin, and
whispered, t'All will be well yet, Grace.
Hope and trust!' She then left her. ...
The next morning she excused herself. on
VIZ PlSf VI hSeadtSt'C, iioh VIVA
in their usual ride. She smiingly bid them
good bye, and stood on the piazza watching
them off. Carlo, her spaniel, bounded after
the horses, turning bis head as if to bid his
mistress farewell. They were gone! Pietro
carried her habit to her room again, and she
alone; still she moved not. There was
fearful struggle in her mind. Must I give
him up?" she murmured, 'she is SO light
hearted, she would get over this. He is mine
But AelGes me not!''
Time few by ~ bded by her; she was so alb
sorbed in her reverie that the hours were as
minutes. At length she turned and reentered
the house; with toherng steps she regained
the room, once there. she collected all her
calmness, wrote and folded note, carried it
herself to Walters room, and then again in
her own chamber. her task over, she fell with
out consciousness on the floer.S
When Walter Elliot rtturted from his ride
he found upon his table the following note:-I
"Grace has told me all; you are free!
ezrse# AtsE.z LAURA"
When Laura rejoined them the next morn
ing she was again calm, dignifed and even
cheerful. Walter and Grace never knew the
struggle and anguish this haf cost our heroine,
Il w Ill. NO &c f1,oo ooa1