The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-05-16

fixed lustrous gaze, and in them burned
dull feverish light.
I'VE have been very much together, lately
she said at last, ncrvously interlocking and
loosening the clasp of her slender fingers.
Not by any means SO much as could
have wished" said l. "for the hours of our
companionship are the only hours of the day
which have any sunshine for me. The rest
are dreary and full of autumn"
As spoke there came before nc, one by
one. the incidents of our brief acquaintance !;
the lonely walk in the woodland, where the
autumn leaves were dropping the evening
conversation, 50 absorbing that midnight
came unwelcome, and found US more wake
full than morning. Every spot We were wont
to visit was alive with some bright thought
of her; all my recollections were musical with
her sweet voice: all radiant with the beauty
of her presence. The golden scene thus
gathering became bleak and desolatc, at the
thought Of rcsgning her Friendship. was
alarmed at the strength Of my feelings. and
arousing my pride. with great effort, l strove
to hide them from her and even from myself
II submit to the sentence of Punishment
without complaint" l continued, after pause,
Il am grateful for the past You have taught
me to unlearn much evil, which | had pre-
viously got by heart, intending it for the use
Of society and the world. You remember
how the stars of which We are told in Reve-
lations, fell to the earth and became worm
wood You reversed the text and restored
to its high place some part Of my nature
which had fallen and turned to bitterness
You have sometimes put to flight the twin
demons Of distrust and unbclief which tor
ment me. 4 few frank words from you have
fallen on my soul like the drops ofholy water
on the brow Of the possessed. have caught
from YOU a little enthusiasm and little faith
II gave you my friendship. sincerely, believe
me-" she said with earncstness You have
treated me with more than the care and delca-
cy of brother. There is not thought
Of blame OF unkindness towards YOU in my
heart.
II see how it is. have wearied YOU by
intruding my society continually | knew
once that the best friends cannot. with safety
be brought into contact, and once practccd
the MAXIM
You mistake me, altogether" she replied.
coloring deeply.
If must confess it. my last remark was
not made in good faith. for never detected
sign which betrayed that my presence was
irksomc. and my vanity is quick-sighted, and
never slumbcrs.
/ repented the pitiful impulse to try the
gentle girl. which had prompted me; and
fastened to atone by leading the way to an
explanation.
II am about to speak frankly with YOU"
SAID l, perhaps l misunderstood the cause
OF yosE embarrassment but if not nv course
will save YOU pain. You tell me that we can
De friends no longer. can imagine reason
for this change i'll Your views. 1t is that
our intimacy has given rise to remarks that
have troubled YOU. and your womanlv feeling
has taken thr alarm"
II am grateful To you," she said, looking
up, every grateful. Twas struggling to make
this explanation, but could never have done
30 without yosr help; and what opinion
would you have formed of my tcklcness ?"
"They say, che added in lower tone.
that We are engaged"
why do vct Eot rctort courageously that
Ne are. and have been from the beginning.
merely friend that such is our agreement. ,
our treaty with each other 2"
Indeed. i a,n too young to brave the
whole world. A's,i know that have not
mother to advise NE. would trust YOUR
'dvicc implicitly: BIZ. YOU are not woman.
t is my instinct tie. tells me we must part"
Then. said |, becoming quite hopeless,
believe your instinct"
But after this magnanimous speech fell
nto miserable revere. and gradually recall
I'd the pains had taken with the girl. !
ost my temper and became rather incoherent.
"Perhaps," said bitterly rising from nv
seat, ut would have been kinder, more friend |
~. to have given me warning or a hint of
this. 1t is judicious, however, to intiict on
ME this notification The irksomc rccollcc-
ton will distract me from the kccner suffer-
ing Of our sudden parting. Our lives have
taken different paths. and will meet again no
more forever
The sense fpique, the pleasure of giving
pain, raised ME to heroic attitude. and then
crumbled away before the look of intense dis
tress which settled upon her face and swan
in her fearful eyes. skunk back mcckly to
my place by her side my heart full to over
flowing with contrition and tenderness.
Can Yea forgive me Julia" Whispered.
II cannet forgive myself" she answered
land TO not feel entitled to much considera-
ton from others"
"llememl,cr. it is not . sunny prospect for
me" said 4, ito look into the gulf now OPEN
ing between Us, which shall never be passed.
Shall no more be subject to the pure III
fiuencc that surrounds you-never more
worship IN YOU the beauty and nobility of
womanhood? Must our sympathies, which
have Become interviewer, be torn suddenly
apart? Shall never more feel the pressure
Of your hand in welcome, or exchange part
ing world"
paused, and restraining ysc!f proceeded.
''iou should know that, during our brief ac-
qualntancc, some graceful trait of Yourself
has become associated with each of nv opin-
ions; so that can scarcely fall into any mood
without remembering YOU. Now must sift
the gold dust from the sand Every tone
OF your voice. the look and gesture, the gentle
counsel and CENTER reproof. which haunt me.
must t'e Slcnced and oblitcratcd. You see
the task must be painful"
Will YOU make it Your business to forget
me-" said she sorrowfully.
"les, will try to remember YOU as
pleasant dream, and no. regret you as sub
stantial thing.
How the moontide glarcd upon the distant
fields, and the everlasting rustling of leaves
around us grated on my ear. The singing
of the gras.hopper in the sunshine was an in q
tolcrable burden.
"Oh. if could have forcsccn all this ~ she
exclaimed. clasping her little hands together
until the blue veins rose, and you could trace
them as they wandered shining through the
transparent skim