Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-07-28
dissatisfaction Of the Irish captain, who did

| dissatisfaction of the Irish captain, who did
know of her fortune.
/ never shall forget that evening. had
come down to Courtney Chase young and
happy subaltern in her majesty's service
light-hearted, merry, full of fun and frolic
without care or thought of the morrow. I
gradually found myself becoming anxious,
thoughtful-my brow was obscured by care
my heart beat with painful rapidity. was
in love. The boy had b come a man in one
evening. And yet was happy. There was
a delicious intox cation in the sound of her
voice, in her soft, white hand as it lay in mine.
There was rapture in the waltz when her
beaming eyes met mine, and our very hearts
seemed to beat in unison.
1t is an hour of bliss when the senses are
STEPPED in voluptuous languor, when nature
seems decked in wondrous loveliness, when
all that is in the world smiles upon us, when
the emotions new and delicious come gush-
ing to our hearts, We cannot find words to
describe. 1t is the opening of the portals
of a new existence@it is loves young
dream.
| handed her down to supper amid the
groans of one or two of the men. and not
without some spiteful looks from the dear
young creatures 1 had totally neglected. But
what cared /!
III.
The next day, and one or two that sue
coed d. were spent in riding. driving, walk
ing, or in home amusements, according TO the
state of the weather. But. no matter what
the occupation which took up our time,
continued my assiduities to Lady Maria, the
daughter of poor earl, but the heiress to a
distant relatives wealth and estates.
Tom equally attentive, but am bound
to say bis attentions were not equally well
IN t. My heart began to beat as | found my
self the favorite. Wild visions of the future
began to cross my brain. | wanted few
months of being of age, when | should be-
come my own master and that OF a small
property | held from my mother.
No selfish reflection on the folly of marry
ing on three hundred year entered my head
That was precisely my income, besides my pay
| thought | could live upon it and even so
Dlissful did the prospect seem, that actually
determined to sell out rather than delay my
happiness. was wild with passion l reflect
cd on nothing. believed IN but one thing
my love, ardent, devoted, and sincere, for
Maria.
Men, and women too. have the cruel courage
to laugh at these early passions. and to cover
them with ridicnle. 1t is possible that maay,
perhaps the majority of youths, are incapable
OF feeling love endurable and eternal at so
early period of their career. On this point
| am incapable of giving an opinion. But
this do know. that in my case il was the
one passion of my life. | fl as keenly, as
deeply, as devotedly as ever mortal man did
fcel-more keenly. do believe. than those
whose blunted feelings are in after life attract
ed by beauty and grace
Life had no charm, existence no delight save
her. Others thought so. too and, as was
aware of my brothers preference, L brought
the affair to an issue.
1t was Christmas eve. The day was lovely,
The snow was hard and crisp aud dry. Shake
speare's line would truly not have applied. for
no
q Rain and wind beat dark December
We had walked out. |, as usual, by the ex
crcise of little maneuvring, had Lady Maria
on my arm. My brother Tom, who was slow
er ill his movements, was forced TO content
himself with sister Fanny.
Isuppose he did not wish TO appear to watch
us so as we came to Dilcot Lane he turn d
TO the right as we turned TO the left. The
paths met about a mile below. Our path was
down valley, with rows of dark fir-lrees on
either side-a sheltered pleasant place it was,
in summer and not without its attraction in
the winter, even if its being free from gusty
wind putfs were alone considered. About IA
quarter OF the distance was passed over in 81
lence. | could not talk. Lady Maria tried
me once or twice. l answered her in mono
syllables.
At length she began the conversation in
tone So tender and considerable 1 could not but
respond.
d" Dear Harry" she said, I" are you not
well -
We'll enough in body"
/" What" cried Lady Maria, in her joyous
tone, something pressing on your mind ,
Can you find no physician +! Can | do any
tbing?'
You, and you only" I said, gravely.
She looked up at ME with a keen and pene-
trating glance, which shall never forget
She turned pale as she did so, and bent her eyes
upon the ground.
CONCLUDED TOMORROW