The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-04-29

absently, eve are far too humble to attrac
their attention, and far too proud to desire it.
So saying she turned awa5 to peruse again
long and eloquent letter just received from
Fred Stanley.
Night crept on apace, and silence hung he,
garments over the slumbering earth. Tht
moon threw its mellow beams in at the window
and they fell on the face of the sleeping Stella
The lips were parted, and dimples played a
hide and seek in her rosy cheeks.
Stella dreamed again! And the dream chang
ed her whole future destiny! 1t was the same
which had haunted her childhood; the same
which had thrown a shadow over her ripel
years. Her spirit mate stood before her, bu
his features were not the features of Fred Stan.
ley
Poor Fred! the only reply to his pouring
forth of love, was cold dismissal, gilded ovel
with Friendship and esteem''-ice drops TO the
loving heart! worthless, unmeaning words to
the rejected!
"stella, why have you done this?" asked
her father, almost angrily.
| She biushed, and stammered: "I-I-dc
not know and left him standing in mute aston
lshment.
Stella passed her s'frst winter in society,"
| IN the crowded city, with a circle of very loving
friends. First one gay scene, and then anoth-
Ell, was graced with her presence. She occa-
sionally saw the wealthy, and so-called haugh-
ty Engshman, whose country home was near
her own humble habitation. Few words had
! ever passed between them, and those Of the
most trivial kind; for Stella "encased in pa
noply'' of pride, would scarcely speak, even
when he addressed her; and as he was not
what IS called ga ladies' man., he seldom trou-
bled her, or any one else, with his remarks
Walter Clifton (for such was his name) was
emphatlcally 1.-THE catch;" yet, strange to say,
no one caught him; for, Achilles like, he seem
ed lnvulnerable to the charms of all. And yet
they were wrong to call him proud; proud he
certainly was but not in the sense they deemed.
The winter was over, and Stella Marvel,
weary of ''glitter and false show sought her
home again.
The world was bursting into new life and
beauty. Spring, that merry, laughing maiden,
dispensed her treasures with an open hand
The glad song of the fountain was once more
heard: the snow flakes had all melted away be-
fore the genial influences of spring, and the
birds, DER moor and mountain, sang again their
cheerful roundelays.
Stella was betrothed!
At the earnest pleadings of her relatives
and friends, she had consented to bestow her
hand on one we'll worthy Of it; and she tried
to convince herself that she was happy. Still
it was very hard, this thought Of leaving her
chlldhood's home for strange land; and the
bridal dress did look somewhat like shroud,
and the long white veil a winding sheet! She
said nothing but sought relief in sleep.
Again she dreamed that same mysterious,
haunting dream. again the vision of her child
hood stood before her; first looking at her sad
ly, and then with a triumphant smile. A thrill
Of pleasure ran through every vein as she
awakened Her whole soul was fred with a
new resolution She dressed h"stily. and i'm
medlately sought her mothers room.
"Mother, we will 60 no further with these
preparations"
"We need not, my poor child. Read this. -
Her betrothed was dead.
And thus ends another era in the life of our
heroine.
Two more years were numbered with the
past Stella is still Stella Marvel
IT'S gladstone summer day; and with Car
10, the old, the faithful, at her side, she seeks
the venerable oak, where we first formed her
acquaintance. Perhaps twas desire to look
once more on the spot where she had dreamed
away the blissful hours of childhood; perhaps
twas fate.
The little stream still ripples merrly on, and
birds are sing in the tree-tops as before. Vio-
lets, alas, they are not the same, still peep out
from their quiet retreat.
Stella takes her same old seat How strange
and varied are the emotions which crowd her
heart. How eventful has been her life since
she last reposed on the green messy carpet
She does not toss pebbles in the stream, (tho'
she feels a strong desire to do SO, but MARBLES
fragments Of long forgotten melodies, and is
ga very child again.
A step starles her; the noise of dogs, form
ing not a very friendly acquaintance with Car
10, and looking up with frightened air, she
beholds Walter Clifton, the "haughty Eng
lishman,' regarding her with a curious, smi-
ling countenance. Why does she look at MIN
so long and SO earnestly, and with such tell
tale blush? Stella Marvel sees before her the
living embodiment Of her sleeping visions; It's
not the naughty Englishman, but her spirit
mate-her dream-land friend.
The birds sang very sweetly as she walked
home that evening. The air seemed purer than
ever before, and all nature was smiling with
borrowed beauty. Carlo had deserted Stella
for his new friends-the handsome pointers, but
she did not go home alone
What need of sequel?
2 The dream was fulfilled 0a.
--~--I~-~~~~---~ -~~-~--~~<
Once upon time big, strapping, awk-
ward youth, fresh from Vermont, entered the
Dummer academy at By6eld, Massachusetts,
for a little share of erudition, which is doled
out at that temple of Minerva at economical
prices. At that time-we know not how it is
at present-the boys and girls were kept in one
apartment, only the middle aisle separating
them. One day, this Vermont stripping, who
has just been helping one Of the girls through
a hard sum-he was cute on cyphering-and
thought it not more than fair that he should
take toll for his valuable services, accordingly
he threw his stalwart arm around the rosy dam
sci and gave her sly but rousing smack which
startled the whole assembly. 'Jedediah Tow
er, come up here?' roared the preceptor
The delinquent appeared, his face glowing
with bushes like a red-hot warming pan, and
looking as silly as ninny. "Hold out your
hand, sir said the pedagogne. s'I'll teach
you not to act thus iii this institution
The 1,1Ira naw woe oI In q fol