The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-12-24

|
ting before the window gazing upon the
starry heavens, while upon low ottoman
at her feet sat the fair young Leoline, her
pretty head nestled with its rich glossy
curls upon the lap Of Lula.
| Everybody loved Leoline, and she loved
everybody too, and her sweet sunny face
was ever ilumined by smiles, and her rosy
lips ever vocal with merry songs and ,,leas,
ant words. "God bless Leoline" was quite
a common expr, ssion of the-humbe villa
| gers as they met her by the wayside, or
caught the music of her laughter.
Quite q strong attachment had sprung
up between Lula and Leoline, and under
the circumstances was particularly refresh
ing TO the former.
Are you asleep, dear?" asked Lula,
bending over the fair girl, and mprinting a
warm kiss upon her upturned lips.
mo, Lula; l was just closing my eyes a
few moments and trying to recall pretty
replied the young girl
"lndeedi | fear, darling, that this little
heart is but too fond Of treasuring up your
cousins poems, more for the value of the
poet than the poet'y," said Lula.
Pm sure don't understand you, Lula"
said Leoline slightly blushing.
The blush upon fair maiden's cheek
is by far the sweetest poem ex,ant," said
Lula, kissing the fair girl, with much affec.
ton. But" she continued, "it is very
late, Leoline, and | have done wrong in
keeping you up so long"
mo, Lula; do love SO much to look at
the stars and you-it makes ne feel SO
happy"
You are complimentary, love; but really
ii is the to retire now, as | must he up
very early in the morning"
Are you going 10 hear Mr.. Drayton's
lecture tomorrow
A deep blush crimsoned the beautiful
face of Lula, as she replied, ~ think | shall
not, Leolne; but why do you ashl'
Nothing particular" replied Leoline;
"only | thought, from what have heard
you speak, that you were fond Of hearing
him"
Fond"
ayes, Lula, you have often so spoken,
and in fact you have almost convinced me
of your fondness for the lecturer himself"
Then | have spoken thoushtiessly-
bly-and -"
Lula did not finish the sentence, but
buryiug her face in her hands, hurst iuto
tears.
why, Lu|a" exclaimed Lcoline, "what
is the mattel! have | said anything wrong
10 cause those teArsl"
NO, Leoiine; but please say no more"
said Lula.
"Do you lore Mr.. Desmond Dravton!"
| asked the Innocent girl, looking up tender
y into the face OF her companion.
"llusu! exclaimed Lula, in much sgi.
taiicn and placing her hand upon the lips
OF Leohne. "NeVer repeat that word again,
or you shall never live to know the conse.
Iuences;" and the dark eyes of Lula flashed
upon the trembling girl before her; then
rising from her seat rushed from the room,
leaving Leoline parayzed with wonder aud
establishment.
The sweet girl quietly divested her dainty
FORM oil It's garments, aud after breathing
out TO her heavenly father her simple prayer,
which she had never omitted from her ear
liest years, retired with sad heart TO her
little coach. Tears perhaps the frs, that
ever dimned the lus;re OF her azure ewes
fell thick and fast upon tho snowy pillow.
as she though; OF Lula's angry look, and
more angry threat.
She had but just fallen asleep, when the
door Of her room was noiseleSsly opened.
and Lula entered. She tip toed towards
the couch of LeoIine, and gently bent over
the lovely sleeper; and pushing the win.
dow curtain aside, a flood of moonlight fell
npon, and i!lumined the fair young face Of
the traveller to the land Of dreams.
A little tear had fingered upon the rosy
cheek of Leoine, rs If 10th to part with
It's resting place of beauty; her lips were
partly opened, disclosing Il row of pearly
teeth; her fair Tiny hand was nestled sweet.
ly among her silken curls, part of which
had fallen down in beautiful disorder upon
her arm and shoulder; and her bosom
heaved as gently as an infants when a mo-
Tiers low voice has charmed it, and the
wing of an angel famed ii asleep.
"Sweet girI!' sand Lula, 'and did cause
that little tear TO stain lhypure chcekl how
cruel'' then gently kissing the cheek OF
Iodine, she continued. "Woud [ could
thus sleep! but alas! the tempest in this
poor heart cannot be Gained by the peace
be still
Thou hast been cal'd. sleep! the friend of woe,
But It's the happy who have called thee So
Long did Lula knee beside The sleeper,
gazing upon her sweet face, and thinking
of the time when she too was happy and
beloved by all around. Then came thoughts
of Desmond. Why had she imposed so
great burden of woe upon her own heart,
by refusing the only being whom she had
ever lovedi How could she have wounded
his noble heart Icy that bitter and naughty
letter. Would lie net despiso her now, as
cold, proud woman, destitute of even
natural gratitudel How happy she might
have been 10 night--how independent
how honored as the wife OF so great and
good man as Desmond, instead of n poor
and dependent widow, left alone in the cold
world to support herself and child by the
wages which she could earn. Pride had