The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-05-19


gence 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 to her than any other had been per-
mtted to come ; he crossed the magic circle oil her
isolation, and conversed with her as no other had
been allowed TO do The world looked and said that
the beautiful Stella had at last met her master and
conquered.
AT this stage of affairs the parliamentary term be-
ing over, Sir Parke Morclle and his family lett LON
don for Hyde Hall.
Lord Montressor asked and received permission
TO follow them and in less than month ayailed HIM
self of the privilege TO do so. Thus IT was IN the
home of her ancestors after having obtained the cor
dial sanction of her parents, and believing himself
sure of the affections of their daughter, Lord Mon
tressor offered his heart and hand to the lovely Es
t.le, and was to his profound astonshment, instant
ly and firmly rejected! In thus rejecting his smt she
wept long and bitterly praying his forgiveness lhat
the happiness she had experienced and exhibited ~
his society should have betrayed him into making
this declaration, and beseeohng him never 70 renew
his suit, but to leave and forget her. Ihere was
something in the tone of her refusal which confirmed
and deepened his previous conviction that, even IN
rejecting him. she loved him But with hs high
toned sentiments he would not in the least degree
presume upon that knowledge. Taking her hand
with deferential tenderness, he said
Stella! man never but once, In his whole exist
ence loves woman as | love you! will not IN
quire the cause of the rejection, which you have GER
tainly right to make without assigning any reason
IT,.
| 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 another woman
if ever in the course OF future weeks, OF months
or years however long, you may think proper to re-
view the decision Of this evening, Stella, mpiore
you to let me know! Write but one word, Come,
and will return to lay unchanged heart at your
feet!"
Estelle was weeping too bitterly to reply
la will
g Lord Montressor best and dearest frlend 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 loyed-ony as shadow
that fell for moment across the sunshine OF your
path, and then passed away forever and 80 forget
herr
Stella / have pledged my honor never to renew
this suit unless you in my favor the sentence
you have pronounced upon it but, inspired by the
deep and deathless love | bear you, and hoping
against hope, feel impeed to impiore before leav.
ing you that in the event of favorable change OF
sentiment or purpose towards me- you will not hes-
tate to give me leave to return Stella, VIII you
promise me 80 much as thatY
'sNobest friend that have in the world how
gladly would promise, but must not, Montressor.
Were l to do so, you would feel bound TO wait the
changes of my mood, and so for a most undeserying
love, might miss, in some nobler wcmans affections,
the happiness in store for you!
"Stella, will you raise your sweet mourntu eyes 10
mine moment. that you may read my soul while
speak 2"
Estee lifted her dark orbs to meet the clear pure,
blue eyes bent with SO much love and candor upon
hers, and read the deep, unchangng truth OF the con-
stancy of his soul as he said
'Stella in the presence of the heart-searchlng
God who secs and hears me, assure you that shall
never love another woman as love you, and there
fore, Of course, can never wed another; SO tnat,
whether you give this slightest OF hopes or not
am equally and forever bound! Nor will you prom
ise Stella? Remember, it is only to let me know in
case of change in your sentiments.
For an instant the light of an unutterable love and
Joy broke on her beautiful dark face, and her
smiling lips parted to speak-when--as Il a sudden
memory and warning had gripped her very heart
she uttered low, sharp cry turned paler than before
and then said
"No no my Lord Stella cannot even give you
that! She is poorer than the poorest in gifts to
you'll She can only pray that you may forget her
and be happy"
He looked profoundly disappointed and troubled.
But soon mastering his dependency he said hope
fully
aWell. dearest Stella, although you rejectme with
out apparent reason and refuse to give me the slight
est promise or the most distant hope, yet Irepeat-
should you in the long future change your purpose
and write to me one word-'Come, will hasten to
lay at your feet an unchanged heart! Good-bye!
God be with you ~ and raising her hand, he bowed
over it, pressed it to his lips, turned and lett the
room.
| Some moments after Lady Morelle-who came to
seek and congratulate her daughter upon what she
view-found Estelle lying in swoon upon the floor!
It was followed by long and terrible illness, tern
mating in tediouslyprotracted convaescence. The
town season was at hand before Estcle was able to
re-enter society.
| They went up to London and once moro the "star
| Of beauty arose upon it's world And though the
cloud upon her life settled darker and heavier day
by day she was more followed hattered, and court
| ed than before.
| Thus three years had passed away, when one
morning, while the family, then occupying their
town-house in Berkey Square, were seated at late
breakfast, and Sir Parke was engaged IN reading
aloud from the London Times account Of tie SAVING Of
the French ship Lie Due Ddjou, tcrecked of the coast
of Algicrs Estee uttered iow cry and sank ta'nfing
| from her seat
This attack was not as the other had been, fol-
| lowed by illness; on the contrary, from that day
| the cloud seemed lifted from her head, and even
those who had most admired her face in its shadow
were enchanted to see how brilliant her beauty
| in its sunshine Her health and spirits daily inn
| proved yet in the midst of all this flowing tide
of new life Estelle astonished her friends by sud
denly, in the height of the London season, retiring
to her fathers country seat, where she remained
in strict seclusion from the world for eghteenmonths
| At the end of this period Lord Montressor, who
had never left England or lost trace Of his beloved
| Stella, and who now staying at his castle in
Dorsetshirc was one day seated at breakfast, when
| the morning mail was brought him. Among score
of letters the first that attracted his attention
a dainty white envelope superscribed in delicate
handwriting. He took that up first and opened it ;
it contained but one word-"CoAE."
The light Of an ineffable Joy broke over his face
Oh he had waited patiently, hopefully, years, Tor