The home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1857, 1857-05-29

valise packed and horses put 10 his car
rldge.
In twenty more minutes he had reached
the railway station just as the cars were
about TO start, and in three hours he was
at Hyde Hall and standing in the pres
ence Of Eslelc--she looking so beaui,
lul and happy
With the old chivalric enthusiasm Of
devotion, he dropped al once upon his
knee, and raised her hand to his, say.
ing
"For four years have hoped and wait.
cd for one word from you, and at last, be.
loved, you have written, Come AMI
am at your feet, as | said, with an IN.
changed heart"
"Bu, l." she said, deeply b'ushing,
while she held both hands to raise him,
81, my Lord, have not an unchanged
heart! for longer than four years have
loved you more than woman's tongue
may tell-and never more than at the
hour in which wo babe farewell, as !
thought, forever!'
81 know it, belovel!---knew it til NJ
knew il aloayS! | never doub'ed i'll
Could be deceived in the dear heart OF
the woman loved No! and that was
the secret Of my patience!" he replied,
taking his seat on tho sofa, by her side.
"And yet you never inquired, and do
not even now inquire, why, without ex.
PLANTATION and without hope, sent you
from my presence, and why now, without
apparent reason, | summon you back"
she said as a shade Of the old sadness
fel upon her beautiful face.
"Your motives, dearest, were and are
your own. Not until your spirit moves
you to do so, shall you give them to me!
have full confidence in you, beautiful
Stella"
"Confdence, oh mig God" she ex.
claimed in low, deep, thrilling voice.
"Why, what is tho matter, dearest"
She looked up suddenly, a smile Of
worshipping love breaking like sunlight
over her dark face, and said
"Nothing, nothing, my lord! but that
all your thoughts and feelings are so ele'
waited beyond your poor Estelle's. And
yet she would almost choose it so; for
could she be an angel, she would wish
you to be something far higher--a god!'
Sweet enthusiast! moderate your as
pirations, or the world and its people will
disappont you! Be not an idoIator--
worship onl y Col, my Stella"
Such was their meeting.
Yet, occasionally, thtoughou, the in
tcrview, su lden shadow, like the recut.
renee Of painful thought, would full
upon her bright face, and then pass as
it came.
They were engaged, and in few days
the marriage was announced 10 take place
on the first Of May.
But it was observed by the nearest
friends Of the bride, that from the day OF
her betrothaI, her spirits had been mark.
ed by the strangest fluctuations. Some
times with her beautiful dark face illu'
mined with deep, still, almost religious
joy, she moved about, as it were, "on
winged feet" or sat brooding in happy
trance. At other times, she fell into deep
gloom and anxiety. as inexplicable as it
was alarming to her friends, who greatly
feared her relapse into the deep melan.
choly that had SO long overshadowel her,
and that they had grown to dread as a Sc
rious constitutional malady. But they
hoped everything from her approaching
marriage with the man she loved. Lord
Montressor observed with the deepest in.
terest the uncertain moods of his betroth.
ed; but with the high.toned sentiments
that distinguished him, RETAINED from in.
curing, and awaited her voluntary rove
lations.
At last the frst Of May, the marriage
day, upon which have presented the par.
ties 10 tho reader, arrived, and all the
haM ton, az said, were gathered at the
Hall or at the Church to do honor to the
solemnites.
And the expectant bride, in her bridal
robe and veil, waitel within her bcudoir
the arrival of the Bridegroom, whom she
had summoned to private interview be.
fore they should proceed to the church. -
She had not long to wall. He who
quickly responded to her slightest ncli
nation Immediately obsyed her call.
Yet when she heard his firm elastic
step approaching.
Nov God have mercy on mel" she
prayed. and covered her face with hel
hands.
He entered. nannounccd. and saying,
"My beautiful Stella! am here, you
perceive. by your commands"
She dropped her hands. and revealing
face pale with misery. spoke in a thrill
ing. deep. impassonsl tons--
"You are here by my supplication, my
lord! | have no right to COMMAND"
"Wo will waive that. What is your
will, my dearest Stella!"
My prayer, my lord. is FIRST for your
forgiveness"
"Forgivsnsss7 my Stella"
mat lo,1i ynu eaa hsfoya ynp