The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-05-23

"Stella, in the presence of the heart
ssaching God who sees and hears me,
assure you that shall never love auothe
woman as love yeu. and, therefore {
course, can never wed another; so tha
whether you give me this slightest {
hopes or not, 1 arm equally and foreve
bound! No,U will you promise, Stella
Remember, it is only to let me know i
case Of a change in your sentiments.
For an instant the light of an unutter
able love and joy broke on her beautiful
dark face, and her smiling lips parted t
spesk-when-as if a sudden memor,
and warning had gripped her very hear
she uttered low sharp cry, turned
paler than before, and than said
mo! no! my Lord! Stella cannot ever
give you that! She is poorer thai
the poorest, in gifts to you! She can only
pray that you may forget her and b
happy"
He looked profoundly disappointed
and troubled Bnt soon mastering hi
despondency he said hopsfally-
well, dearest Stella, although 20,
reject me without apparent reason, ant
refuse to give me the slightest promise
or the most distant hope, yet repeat
should you in he long future, changt
your purpose, and write TO me one WORD
Come, will hasten to lay at you,
feet an unchanged heart! Good bye! GOD
be with you!' and raising her hand, he
bowed over it, pressed it to his lips, turn
ed and left the room.
Some moments after Lady Morelle
who came to seek and congratulate her
daughter upon what she imagined to be
the only possible result Of the interview
found Estelle lying in swoon upon
the floor! 1t was followed by long and
terrible illness, terminating in tediously
protracted convalescence. The town sea.
son was at hand before Estelle was able
to re-enter society. e[f
They went up to London aad once
more the 'star Of beauty" arose upon its
world. And though the cloud upon her
life settled darker and heavier, day by
day, she was moro followed, flattered
courted than before. rr
Thus three years had passed away,
when one morning. while the family, then
occupying their town house in Berkely
Square, We're seated at a late breakfast,
and Sir Parke was engaged in reading
aloud'from the London Times, an account
Of the saving of the French Ship-Le
Due DAnjou-wrecked off the coast OF
Algiers--Estelle uttered low cry and
sank faintins from her seat.
This attack was not, as the other had
been, followed by illness; on the contra
~, from that day, the cloud seemed liz
ted from her head, and even those who
had most admired her face in its shadow,
were enchanted to see how brilliant was
her beauty in its sunshine! Her health
and spirits daily improved, yet in the
midst Of all this flowing tide Of new life,
Estelle astonished her friends by sud :
denly, in the height ofthe London season,
retiring to her fathers country seat,
where she remained in strict seclusion
from the world for eighteen months.
At the end of this period, Lord Mon
tressor, who had never left England, or
lost trace of his beloved Stella, and who
was staying at his castle IN Dorsstshire,
was one day seated at breakfast when
the morning mail was brought him.
Among a score of letters the first that at
tracted his attention was dainty white
envelope superscribcd in delicate hand
writing. He took that up first and op-
ened tit contained but one word
'CoME". s-r .rv.3G 10 --. a..5y
The light of an ineffable joy broke over
his face! v! he had waited, patiently,
hopefully years, for that word. and at
last he received it! Thanks to heaven in
the first instance! and then pushing all
the other letters unopened aside he sprung
up, rang for his valet, and ordered his
valise packed and horses put to the
carriage. ..,.r.
In twenty more minutes he had reach
ed the railway station just as the cars
were about to start, and in three hours
he was at Hyde Hall and standing in the
presence of Estelle!--she looking so
beautiful and happy.
With the old chivalric enthusiasm of
devotion, he dropped. at once upon his
knee, and raised her hand to his saying
-Four years have hoped and waited
for one word from you, and at last, be-
loved, You have written-.Come', and /
am at your feet, as said, with an un-
changed hearth"
But 10, she said. deeply blushing,
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 we babe farewell, as l
thought, forever?" %
ID IL know it, beloved! knew it tken!
knew it al,0uys. never doubted it!
Could ! be deceived in the dear heart OF
the woman l loved! No! and that was
secret ofmy patience!" he replied, taking
his seat on the sofa by her side
"And yet you never inquired and do
not even now inquire, why, without ex
PLANTATION and without hope, 1 sent you
from my presence, and why now, with ap-
parent reason, summon you back" she
said as shade Of the old sadness fell upon
her beautiful face. -r
Your motives, dearest, were, and are
your own. Not until your spirit moves
you to do so, shall you give them to me!
l have full confidence in you, beautiful
Stella!"
confidence! oh nay Godr' she exclaim-
ed in low, deep, thrilling voice.
"Why, what is the matter, dearestT
l. rl