Southern shield., 1858-03-13

cept there; deep in the bowels of the earth they flow for few yards across the Cave. between those gray walls and under that sombre vault. The gloom around me was intense, for the feeble rays Of my little lamp lighted up only a few feet and threw but a ftful gleam on the over-arching rocks and the fathomless river. l sat there all day long, listening to the low murmur of the waves, and thinking fearfully of the great love that felt yelling up in my heart to- ward this Northern stranger. And was all this wealth of affection, this tumult of pas sion, to meet withns1eturn Alas alas felt that 1t had been wholly unsought. He had always been kind to me, but nothing more; no glance of admiration or tender ness had ever fallen on me from those cold blue eyes, and yet loved him, ay, worship ped, with all the intensity of my earnest nature, this proud, reserved man.
 Long hours 1 remained there, surrounded outwardly by the gloom of the awful cavern and inwardly full of the darker horror of my unsolicited and unrequited love. At last, faint with fatigue and want of food, 1 rose and wearily retraced my steps over the five rough miles that lay between me and the | road which runs some distance into the Cave. once used at this point for the man. ufacture of saltpetre, l extinguished my lamp, for 1 knew that a few steps farther would bring me to daylight. Already a faint gleam around huge projecting stone marked out the path, and I hastened my steps until passed the last turn and came in full view of the rough arch which forms the mouth of the Cave. The gray rocks around me looked more frowning than ever, in contrast with the beautiful picture of azure and green and gold that lay framed in the dark outline of the entrance like a gleaming jewel. The tangled vines hung in luxuriant masses, forming a floating draperv of rich green on either side; beyond, the sunlight flashed dazzlmgly to my dimmed eyes from every point of rock and little patch of moisture; over head, the great trees waved in the-wind that never stirs the eternal stiffness of the Cave. seeming to glow with 2 more vivid verdure; while above all, hung the deep blue sky. clear and bril- liant as sapphire. Many times before, I had seen this same effect of the glorious light outside, but now Ipaused, spell bound, for there, lying on the bank with the amber rays of the setting sun shining on his gold en curls, was the hero of my thoughts.
 was reused from my gaze Of absorbed admiration by h.s coming down to the mouth of the Cave, andcalling:
 " "Melissa Melissa r'
 'EHere am" cried, springing forward and eagerly seizing his hand
 He seemed somewhat surprised at my ex- cited manner, as he sRid: ''Take my arm ; you look quite pale and tired Your parents have been much alarmed, and have sent ev- cry where in search of you, but I thought you were probably here"
 As we walked home he gently reproyed me for going alone into the Cave, which, as l have said, he had visited but once. as sured him there was no danger, as 1 was quite accustomed to spending whole days there, without a guide. remember his re- ply just as he reached the house:
 It seems to me very courageous in you to enter that gloomy cavern alone. | have never seen any thing that has so oppressed me with awe and horror as that place. and can conceive of nothing more frightful than to be left solitary in its black vaults.''
 These words sunk into my heart, and long afterward recured to my memory with startling distinctness.
 In few days he left. How controlled myself sufficiently to bid him calm fare well l scarcely know. only remember how dark the beautiful world was, when he was gone. 1 tried in vain to find amusement in my books, but it was only his presence and sympathy that had rendered them attractive. My greatest pleasure was in resuming my wanderings in the Cave, which had ceased so entirely since my tutor came.
 At length the weary days rolled away, and MT. Beverleigh arrived. But how my heart sank when he returned the impulsive warmth Of my greeting with one of cold courtesy.- Stlll, 1t was rapture to have him once more where l could see him and be with him. studled and strove to please him, and sub dued my quick temper to perfect gentleness. 1 became his devoted slave. hanging on his words and obeying his slightest look; but he, although he seemed surprised and pleas ed at the change, was still as cold and re- served as ever. Sometimes, if he spoke to me in a tone shade kinder than usual, I would think that perhaps pride prevented hlm from betraying any regard for me-he would not be thought to have endeavored to win his wealthy patrons daughter. As my love increased by daily intercourse with him, this idea grew upon me. l dared not contemplated the fgightful possibility of his utter indifference, and at last convinced my self, that if he but knew that my happiness was at stake, he would forego his own pride and perhaps learn to requite my ar dent affection.
 It may seem surprising should have thus forgotten all my ancient prejudices, my contempt of Northern shop-keepers, and have even been willing to overstep my maiden reserve and humble myself before this proud, cold man. But it must be re- membered how deeply, how devotedly I loved. Every fibre of my being was twin ed around his image, and the wild torna- do of passion swept down every barrier that stood between me and the attainment of his love was utterly reckless of every thing but this. My heart murmured his name all day along. My dreams were of him, and in his presence my soul lay sick and faint, with longing for one caress. | do not know why he never suspected my secret, but I do not think. he did, for ms own manner never changed; it was still the same amiable dignity as at first.
 One evening in late summer we went out for stroll through the plantation; was studying botany, and the object of our walk was to gather flowers to illustrate the les son of the day. We wandered on till we reached a distant wood, where the blossoms we were in search of were said to grow, but we looked for them in vain. MT. Bever- leigh, unwilling to return from an unsuc- lo1 nd far tho,,