Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-05-27

yct sue VINO couIu move all others, renamed
nnimpressed. She who sought conquests,
for that very reason perhaps, made many. A
peer and two commoners, in succession, laid
their fortunes at her feet, and were in turn
kindly and firmly rejected.
So passed her first season in London, at the
close of which her parents took her down to
their seat in Deyonshire. Here, in her tho't-
ful, quiet, unostentatious manner, she engaged
in works of benevolence among the villagers
and the tenantry. And her father. hoping
much from this employment, gave her full lib
erty of action, and smiled to see that she
seemed less pensive than before.
At the beginning of the parliamentary term,
the family went up TO London.
And it was here in her second season in town
that Estelle formed the acquaintance of Lord
MontressOr, young nobleman but lately acce-
ded to his titles and estates, but already known
as a man of the most high-toned moral and in
tellectual excellence, righteous, as well
as rising statesman, and as one, who in the
event of change of ministry would be likely
to fill high official position in His majesty's
cabinet. Aside from the glare of rank and
wealth and power, Charles Montressor was 4
glorious specimen of the Creators workman
ship. Above the average standard of height
among his countrymen, broad -shouldered and
deep-chested, with a noble head, and a face
full of wisdom and goodness, his appearance
truly indicated the warm beneyolence, clear
intelligence, and pure spirit of the man. His
presence soon inspired Estelle with faith that
she had not been able to feel in any other that
approached her. He drew nearer to her than
any other had been permitted to come he
crossed the magic circle of her isolation, and
conversed with her as no other had been al
lowed to do. The world looked and said that
the beautiful Stella had at last met her master
and was conquered.
At this stage of affairs, the parliamentary
term being over, Sir Parke MoreIle and his
family left London for Hyde Hall.
Lord Montressor asked and received permis-
sion to follow them, and in less than a month
avaied himself of the privilege to do so.-
Thus it was in the home of her ancestors, af-
ter having obtained the cordial sanction of her
parents, and believing himself sure in the af
fections of their daughter, Lord Montressor Of
fered his heart and hand to the lovely Esteile,
and was to his profound astonishment instant
ly and firmly rejected! In thus rejecting his
suit she wept long aud bitterly, praying his
forgiveness, that the happiness she had expe
rienced and exhibited in his society should
have betrayed him into making this declara-
ton, and beseeching him never to renew his
suit but to leave and forget her. There was
something in the tone of her refusal which
confirmed and deepened his previous convic-
tion that-even in rejecting him-she loved
him, But with his high-toned sentiments he
would not in the least degree presume upon
that knowledge. Taking her hand with defer
entail tenderness, he said
.sStellai a man never but once, in his whole
existence, loves woman as love you! L
will not inquire the cause OF the rejection,
which you have certainly right to make
without assigning any reason for the act. And
after having received this repulse, | may not
in honor distress you by renewal of my suit.
But this, in parting, must say to you-that,
though go hence, / shall not go out of the
reach of your friends / shall never address
tbor On fax-a in tha M
ture weeks, or months or years, however long,
you may think proper to review the decision of
this evening, Stella ilnplore you to let me
knowl Write but one word, ssCome," and
will return to lay an unchanged heart at your
feet,o
Estelle was weeping too bitterly to reply.
"Stellai will you promise to do this =
.sLord Montressor, best and dearest friend
do not seek to bind yourself to one who can
give you nothing in return! Try to think Of
the melancholy girl that you have pitied and
loved-only as a shadow that fell for moment
across the sunshine of your path, and then pas
sed away forever i-and so forget her -
s<Stella have pledged my honor never to
renew this suit, unless you reverse in my fa-
vor the sentence you have pronounced upon it;
but, inspired by the deep and deathleSs love
bear you and sshoping against hope" feel
impelled to implore before leaving you, that,
in the event of favorable change of sentiment
OF puIpOSt lOhdIuS inCs Ou VII NV h~S'N'''~
to give me leave to return. Stella, Will you
promise me so much as that ?''
e.Nobiest friend that / have in the world !
how gladly would l promise, but must not,
Montressor. Were to do so, you would feel
bound to wait the changes of my mood, and so
for most undeserving love, might miss. in
some nobler woman's affections, the happiness
in store for you
ssStella, will you raise your sweet, mourntui
eyes to mine, one moment, that you may read
my soul while speak %
Estelle lifted her dark orbs to meet the clear,
pure, blue eyes bent with so much love and
| candor upon hers, and read the deep, unchan-
| ging truth of the constancy of his soul as he
| said
ssStella, in the presence of the heart-searcl.-
| ing God who sees and hears me, | assure you
| that / shall never love another woman as |
| love you, and, therefore, of course, can never
| wed another; so that whether you give me
this slightest of hopes or not, l am equally
| and forever bound NoIc will You promise,
| Stella? Remember, it is only to let me kno"
| in case of a change in your sentiments.
For an instant the light of an unutterable
! love and Joy broke ou her beautiful, dark face
| and her smiling lips parted to speak-when-
| as if a sudden memory and warning had griped
her very heart-she uttered a low, sharp cry
turned paler than before, and then said
s.Nol no my Lord! Stella cannot even
| give you that She is poorer than the poor
| est, in gifts to you'll She can only pray tha'
! you may forget her and be happy
He looked profoundly disappointed and trou'
bled. But soon mastering his dependency he
said hopefully
s.Well, dearest Stella, although you reject
me without apparent reason, and refuse to give
me the slightest promise or the most distant
/ hope. yet Irepcat-shouid you in the long fu-
ture change your purpose, and write to me one
word-.Come,' l will hasten to lay at your feet
ON UNCHANGED heart Good bye God be
with YOU - and raising her hand, he bowed
| ovar # presscd it to his lips, turned and left