The Winchester home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-03-11
A HEART UNMASKED;
THE WEST POINT FERRYMAN.
ny A. d. huNsoN.

me oase TO the top OF old Gro Nest,
which stood like patriarch Of old,
looking upon the fading forms around
him. gloomy at their parting, yet hoping
Tor coming day to restore them in beauty
to his vision. Beneath the cool shelter
OF spreading oak, that having sprung
from that sentinel Of mountains, now
dropped away as IL with its waving arms
it would invoke and clasp some unseen
power to draw it from its fastness, walked
Lumley Perry and his hearts choice,
Annie Hustled. Trey were both residents
OF West Point. The father Of Lumley
was retired merchant; Annic's parent
was professor in the Academy. Those
young and ardent children, for they soere
children, when first they met, seemed
drawn towards each other by that m.
known influence that exerts such power
over the lives o, us al sometimes called
destiny.
They had been constant companions
for some five years, at the period in which
we Introduce them to our readers. Five
years of happiness unalloyed Of pure
njoyment! Lumley was now twenty,
Annie sixteen. A shadow had for the
first time fallen across their hearts bright.
ness. Lumley was about to leave West
Point for foreign tour. The idea orig.
mated with his father, who was of that
imperious nature, that having once ex.
pressed wish, all around him knew that
it was thereafter a law. This stroll of
the young lovers was therefore saddened
by this determination of Mr.. Perry.
Lumley would fain have waited until he
could have made Annie his wife, then
have made the journey with her. He knew
that alone, the wonders of the world
would have but few beauties for him, while
with her he could become heart stndent
over the wrecks Of the past, or the beau.
ties Of the present. Alas! for his hops,
he had never dared to confde to his stern
parent the dear secret OF his heart. Mr..
Perry never dreamed that his son loved.
"This, then, dear Lumley, will be our
last stroll under the shadow of old Cro'
Nest for many year." exclaimed Annie,
striving almost in vain to speak audibIy
and suppress her sobs. "Oh, what a
weary time it will be for ME here in the
quiet Of my home! To you the sepera.
ton will be less tedious"
"Nay Annie" Lumley interrupted.
She checked him.
81 do not mean that you vii not grieve
at the parting. But there will be changes
for you every hour. Yon mast be won
from sadness, by viewing scenes familiar
to your studies, while l--bu, this is sci.
fish in me, Lumley. should rather seek
TO make cheerful the last moments we
pass together May Heaven guard you
ever! But, oh when distant from me
do not forget"
The weeping girl could utter no more,
she turned helplessly towards her com.
panion, who clasped her in fond EN-.
brace.
"Anne,' said he, "this hour is to me
as bitter as it can be to you. would
sacrifice wealth, life itself. so | might
linger thus forever at your side; but the
irrevocable command Of my father has
doomed me to misunderstanding but
a miracle can prevent it. 1t will be at
the worst but a separation Of two years,
the time will fly quickly. Then shall
return. Being then Of age, can act for
myself, and defy the Interference of any
one. Meanwhile, the vows which my
lips have uttered shall be kept holy while
my heart still pulsates. shall look
upon the period Of my absence from you,
as the dark days Of my life, upon which
the sun will not rise until il sees me
again with you. Cheer up, dearest!
shall yet make one attempt to move my
father. If that fails, three days hence |
will meet you-where 2
"At the foot Of our garden, by the
rivers bank ~
"Tbe very spot of all others, where, if
| must, would Ike leave of you, hal.
lowed as it is and will be by so many
dear associations. Harry King shall row
me TO the spot, the falling of his oars
shall be your signal" ...
As darkness was wrapping river and
mountain in one general gloom, and the
Stars came out to smile dimly upon
world they could not tighten up with
their lesser fires, Lumley parted with the
gentle girl at the gate Of her fathers
cottage. He bore with him an impress.
sion from her pure lips, that had set its
seal Of love upon his and her heart alike,
a kiss the memory Of which, like some
ecstatic dream, could not but be remem.
bered.
Yes he solilloquized. "one attempt
more to change the purpose Of my father
But | fear it will be Of little avail. How
if tell him-I must first try other
means, persuasion. entrealies--if they
fail, then the secret"
Thus musing, and thus undetermined,
Lumley reached his fathers mansion.
As he opened the gate, his old friend,
Harry King, passed him. Harry touched
his tarpaulin 10 the young gentleman, and
would have continued his way, had not
Lumlcy called 10 him. ..-