Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-02-27

so, yet she felt dissatisfied, and never was
prisoner more rejoced ITO escape from his
thraldom, than was Hester at nine o'clock to
retreat to her little room. fit be true that our
last waking thoughts flow on in dreams, you
can easily guess what visions haunted the pill
low of Hester Wilson that night
The next morning she cared less about 1t,
and in few days Edward went and came in
his quiet way, seeming so like one Of the fami-
lS that she wondered how his presence could
ever have disturbed her. The last evening of
the week came, and Hester felt sad; perhaps
she was thinking how much she should miss
the interesting books Mr.. Avery read aloud
every evening, or that her father would
be lonely when there was no one to talk with
him, orbut whatever her thoughts were,
her eyes filled with tears, and she turned her
wheel with renewed energy. At small table
near her sat Edward Avery, shading his eyes
with his hand, seemingly absorbed in book,
but in reality studying with intense interest
the halfaverted face ofthe unconcious Hester.
He knew why she toiled early and late, when
other girls of her gein the village were going
to school, for Jack, in the ardor ofhis brotherly
love, had revealed it. He had seen her affec-
tionate and dutiful conduct as daughter, her
soicitude and untiring exertions for those who
looked up to her, and as he gazed on her, SO
young, so devoted, with her slender figure
bonding gracefully as she pursued her humble
occupation, he felt that he loved her, and every
principle of his nature assented to the deep,
fervent affection that had sprung up in his
heart for the lovely and virtuous being before
him. 1t was true she was poor and humble,
but would not his excellent and pious mother
welcome to her bosom, as kindred spirit, one
so amiable9 And his lady sisters, fashionable
and refined though they were, would they not
be proud of one SO rich in personal attractionS
He knew them too well to doubt it, and he
longed to ascertain if he had created an interest
in that innocent bosom. But Edward Avery
was not governed by impulse, and resolved to
study thoroughly the character of her whom
he hoped to find every way worthy of his love.
"That must be pleasant employment of
yours, Miss Wilson, he said, laying down his
book. at seems to occupy good deal of
your time"
81 shall be candid enough to acknowledge
that do not pursue it for amusement" replied
Hester, pheasant as it may seem. 1t is neces-
sary, and do not regret the time it con-
sumes"
Perhaps, then, you would prefer devoting
your evenings to study"
"It, would be unwise to encourage desires"
said Hester averting her face still more,
(which you must be aware, Mr.. Avery, have
not the means of gratifying. If" But a
choking sensation prevented her completing
the sentence.
"Hester-for so must call you" said Ed
ward, drawing his chair nearer to her side,
"will you permit me TO come sometimes, and
bring few books have, with mei"
| never knew exactly what reply Hester
made, but from that time Mr. Avery was con-
slant evening visitor at the house Of Mr.. Will
SON, circumstance in no way pleasing to his
young lady scholars. Especially did it offend
Jemima Eldridge, whose growing penchant for
the handsome schoolmaster had rendered itself
quite conspicuous. She was a coarse-minded
girl, whose parents, in their desire to accumu-
late worldly wealth, had neglected her moral
education, until she scripled at no means by
which she might attain her object
Poverty, in her eyes, was one Of the deadly
sins, and never doubling that others thought
likewise, she took every opportunity to speak
Of the unfortunate circumstances CT Mr.. Will
son, affecting to pity Hester, whom she repre-
sented as exceedingly proud, and suffering the
keenest modification, because she could not
hold up her head with other girls in the viii
lage. To all this, Edward dcigned not the
slightest reply, and she proceeded TO hint that
Hester was volatile in her friendships, and
heartless, beside being so vain of her good
looks as to suppose they would ono day pro-
cure her the situation in life TO which she as
pired. Her malicious insinuations fell power
less on the ear 10 which they were addressed !;
and Jemima Eldridge, with her affected airs
Of gentility, became his utter aversion. Find
ing the evening visits Of Edward still continu-
ed, she changed her sttack TO more vulnera-
ble quarter.
"Do you know" said she to Hester, as she
called one morning at Mr.. Wilson's, "what
folks say about your"
"About mel Nothing bad, hope" said
Hester, looking up in surprise, from an apron
she was making for little Molly.
"Bad enough, l should think" reiorted
Jemima, "when they say that it is very inn
prudent in you to allow Mr.. Avery TO visit
here SO often, and you young girl without
mother or an elder sister And l am sure Mr.
Avery don't think any the better Of you, for
this morning he wrote in little Molly's copy
book, Familiarity breeds contempt" as If on
purpose for you to see it."
i Poor Hester covered her face with her hands,
and burst into tears.
"Now don't cry" said her tormentor, re-
joicing in her heart that she had at last touch.
ed the right chord, "or shall believe what
they say, that you are in love with Mr..
Avery"
She shut the door, and left Hester writhing
in all the agonies Of wounded pride, and the
bumiating belief that Edward thought light
ly of her.