Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-27

ever charmed nay ear, she began. Moore's
melodies are passed away now; who would
think Of singing
''In the morning of fe when its cares are unknows
And its pleasures in all their new lustre begin,
When we live in bright beaming world Of our own,
And the light that surrounds in all from within !;
Oh, It's not, believe me, in that happy time
We can love, as in hours of less transport we may;
OF our smiles Of our hopes tits the gay sunny priu,e
But affection is truest when these fade away.
'swhen we see the first glory of youth pass by
Like a leaf on the stream that will never return;
When our cup which had sparkled with pleasure 50
First tastes of the other, the dark flowing urn;
Then, then is the time when affection hold sway
With a depth and tenderness joy never knew
Love uursed among pleasures is iathless as they,
But the love born of Sorrow, ike Sorrow is true-
Florence's voice trembled as she pronounc-
ed this last line. She swept the chords bur
riedly, and got up. A murmur of admiration
was interrupted by Mr.. Ashton catching her
hand. @But the third verse, my dear; you
must not cheat us"
II don't recollect it: it has escaped me-"
''How does it g6f" he continued; | remem-
Der the last of it
$50 it is not mid splendor, prosperity, mirth,
That the depth Of loves generous spirit appears;
To the sunshine of smiles it may first owe its birth
But the soul Of its sweetness drawn out by tears "
Florence shook her head. II don't trust
to nv memory: it Is sometimes fathless. /
should never sing except by book. Will not
Miss Hamilton kindly replace NE at the harp?
You do yourself injustice, Sir. in wishing to
hear me when some are present who put my
poor voice to shame.n
Varnham had his eyes fixed upon Mrs. Ray
mond as she spoke. Without looking toward
him. she seemed to know that he was watch
ing her. She went up to him and said few
words. He answered in still fewer with a
smile, sweet on the surface, icy beneath. Her
back was turned to the company. saw her
give him an imploring. pleading look. His
lips moved in reply to her silent, earnest APP
peal; then he crossed the room and spoke to
Miss Ashton.
She stood where he had left her, pretending
to examine the flowers on the table against
which he had been leaning.
Come into the piazza" | said to her. 'The
stars are very bright, the sky very clear.
shall almost be able to count the diamonds in
your bracelet by the light"
We went out together.
'Florencei you are mad-or am. That
man does not love you. He can love nothing
but himself"
FLUSH! it is not honorable to speak so; it
is not like you--it is not you, in fact: you are
beside yourself. There is a glitter in your
eyes-a wildness in your speech. He has no.
ticed it; he has noticed me. There is no de-
ceiving him. Already he suspects"
so much the better. Make his suspicion
certainty. Florence have you decided ?"
Il have"
"And-" my life hung on her words.
Frederick, we must part y
see her now, as she stood before me in all
her loveliness, her pride. her sorrow, and her
strength.
"Are you determined ?"
at must be So"
Then shall no longer importune you"
She placed her hand lightly on my arm.
1--WE must not part in anger. Later you Will
understand me; you will know and feel how
sorely | am pressed, how sadly tried. There
are duties, obligations, memories, which must
be obeyed. Turn where | will l am haunted,
pursued, baffied, beset by my own weakness
and the power of others. Don't mistake my
meaning. A whisper. a hint of what is passed
between US would be sufficient to break my
present betrothal, and l would be miserable.
So Maynard, so uncertain L am--sO divided
between two strong feelings-so utterly per-
picked, that this calm heaven never looked
down upon q more troubled and distracted
spirit. Forget me. have been but a mo-
ment's interest to man young, free. with the
world before him. and with many heart rea-
dy to exchange itself for his own. l am old
err than my years, saddened, wearied, disap-
pointed. Do not desire to link your fresh life
with mine Twice | have loved; twice | have
learned the bitterness of loving. is ii in my
self? is it my fate? / shall never keep heart.
As a past dream you will care for me, and
talk of me. perhaps, to your children. But
tonight we part | beseech you to leave
Ashton tomorrow. You peril my peace OF
mind-you will do more. No earthly power
can shake my resolve. Am l right? Am |
wrong? God knows. Farewell :"
She pressed my hand with cOnvulsive ener-
gy; her burning lips touched my brow and
have never seen Florence Raymond since
that hour.
Ny story is told. Whatever blanks of i'm
portance, whatever necessary details / have
omitted, my reader will kindly supply. / am
no author; and l have been often diffuse, and
again too succinct
Does there remain anything to add? She
married she lived she died. Was she happy?
| know not. Could have made her happier?
Sometimes l think so. l have flirted with
many girl since that spring-time at Ashton
Hall. l have seen many handsome women,
and fair hands have furtively slid into mine;
and scarlet lips have met my own, and bright
ewes have smiled and wept, they said, for my
sake But to no other ear have l whispered
Il love you." and l am the last of my name;
and my sisters sons will live here when the
"old man" is gone, and jestingly rejoice that
he never loved and never married.
Yale!