Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-02-27
NO. 10.

NO. lU.
wretched d-wretchedi And she wrung her
hands "But he shall find am not the weak.
vain girl he imagines. will see him no more"
That day the book they were reading was
returned to Edward, with the message, verbal
ly delivered by Jack, that shevstood in no
further need Of Mr.. Ayery's instructions"
Bnt oh how long were the days to Hester, as
she sat at her monotonous toll, uncheered by
the anticipated pleasure Of the evening; and
how dull, how intolcrably tedious were the
evenings! Weeks passed on, and rumors Of
the schoolmaster's attentions to Jemima not
unfrequently caused her heart to sink like
lead in her bosom. Yet what, to her, was Ed
| ward Averyg And quick blush wonl spread
over her features.
To crown her trials, Mrs. Eldridge called one
day, and requested Hester to take great pains
with her spinning, for she had determined to
lay by the linen for Jemima "You know,
Hester, she gets no time to spin, now that she
is SO taken up with learning indeed, we don't
wish her to do such drudgery-we can well
afford to hire 1t done; but as to this piece of
linen-to be sure Jemima is close enough on
the subject, but if one can believe what other
people say, there is no telling how soon
she may want it Mr.. Avery, you know, boards
altogether at our house now; and though he
never even speaks to Jemima when am BY,
I've no doubt it is done on purpose to blind
me-young people are SO sly. Mr. Avery is a
nice young man, though can't say but Jemi-
ma might do better" And here she fairly
stopped for want Of breath
For long time after Mrs. Eldridge depart
ed, Hester sat motionless by her wheel, with
her hands crossed on her lap while the pale
ness that stole over her features told Of strug-
gle going on, deep, deep beneath the placid
surface. From that time the utmost care was
bestowed upon her work, for was 1t not to
grace the table Of Edward2
The winter came to close and so did the
time during which Edward had engaged to Gil
the Office of scoolmaster. Hester had so often
said to herself, "He might have called once
more at least to know why I sent him such a
message" that she had almost persuaded her.
self she had just cause to be quite angry, and
was really vexed with herself that she thought
ofthe subject at all but the more she strove
to Danish il, the more constantly 1t REQUIRED to
her mind. When the day came which she
knew was fixed for his departure, she asked
herself again and again, "Wfl he not come to
bid us good-byei", In the words of the old
song,
"How could she think of spnnings"
So she put away her wheel and looked up the
road in the direction Of the school-house,
though she knew he was not there, and down
the road in the opposite direction. All day she
hurried about the house, arranging, and rear
ranging every thing in it; but it grew dark,
and he had not come.-Noi he was not coming.
Why should he wish to see heri She had
spoken to him SO distantly and coldly when
they met at church, or by accident in the street,
that-but just then came gentle tap at the
door, and Edward entered Hester raised her
eyes; how pale he looked, and sad too, very
sad, as if some great trouble weighed on his
mind. Her heart smote her, and ii was with
difficulty that she requested him to be seated
while she called her father.
Hester" he said, ait is you wish to Sec.
will you listen TO me a few momentsi"
Hester could not speak; but she sat down,
and Edward continued
II scarcely need tell you, Hester, that
love you. You must have seen it during those
long evenings that we read and conversed to-
gcther. When heard of all your goodness,
and saw you, SO young and beautiful, devoting
all-your energies to your family-when sat
by you, evening after evening, and discovered
new and rich treasures Of intellect which had
lain like hidden gems till / drew them forth,
and compared the pure freshness Of your feel
ings with the hacknied world in which have
mingled--isi il strange that love youi But
spoke not of It'll dared until-pardon
me, Hester, IL il was presumption--unil the
eye that dropped beneath the glance Of mine,
the blush, and the trembling voice, encouraged
me to hope. On the very day that l determin-
ed to place my happiness at your disposal, re-
ceiyed that cruel message. Ahi Hester-it was
not like you. twoundcd mo deeply, for L per-
ccived at once that an enemy had gained your
car was too proud 10 intrude on you un-
hidden, and should probably have left the vii
lsge without seeing you but last night heard
the whole from one, who, am paincd to learn,
has been harboring for me warmer sentiment
than ii is in my power to return. l pity, and
forgive her the injury she would have inflicted
on my peace--shall / say yours, Hesterr
He took a hand that was not Withdrawn,
and as he bent to kiss il, warm tears fell upon
his face--such tears as are only shed when the
heart is too fall for utterance
It was late that night when Edward tore
himself away from the cottage Of Mr.. Wilson,
and early the next morning he left the village
for his own distant home, while Hester, serious
and thoughtful yet with deep, calm joy in
her heart, moved about the house IN the per-
formance Of her customary duties.
Every week, during the long summer that
followed, letter arrived at the post Office,
directed, as the postmaster said, in the most
beautiful hand, but which he would deliver to
no one but Jack Wilson, who regularly called
for IL, at the same time dropping very slyly