The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-22

1880 sno hahuo, oc, duu tnen Mrs. ffynn,
who had snatched oment to assume her
best cap and collar, announced that supper was
ready. Lizzie, apron of, sleeves turned down,
and hair smoothed, took her seat to pour out,
while Mrs. Prynn found her place at the foot
usurped by Mr.. Oscar, who took it as if it be-
longed naturally to him.
how very well you look, Lizzie--rosy and
fat-town life seems to ageee with YOU"
" And you have grown, Oscar, into a man.
But you have been studying too much"
My eyes are somewhat hollow, and my
cheeks thin = but will soon pick up, with
your help"
And this tall young man, with the rich, long,
golden hair, and the handsome face, this was
Oscar, thought Lizzie. This is Mr. Malmstedt.
Lizze's adopted brother, and no kin to her,
thought Mrs. Prynn; it's great pity she is not
ten years younger than she is. He's proud
fellow, but she's prouder than that of him. AT
ter tea, the old lady took her knitting for
while, but began to yawn very soon, and con-
ciuded she would go to bed. Then Lizzie turn
ed to Oscar, and demanded to see his diploma,
the printed programmes, the comments of the
press, all that was said about him. and what
people thought. With something of a smile, as
II he were so familiar with these honors as to
be able to despise them, Oscar complied,
spreading on the table before Lizzie the various
testimonies to his success and achievements.
Lizzie examined them eagerly, and then, toy
ing with the rosette-libe seal of his diploma,
turned her face up towards his, and, with some
thing like sigh, asked:
sWhen you were speaking so eloquently,
Oscar, what did you think of-what idea filled
your mind? Or were you entirely absorbed in
the subject of which you discussed? have
heard ministers say that they felt themselves
uha
thought carried them far away from the sub
Ject of their speech, into the regions of cloud
land" t.l
Oscar took one OF her hands in both of his.
u too had sweet dream, then, dearest Liz
zie-shall tell you what ii was? | fancied
myself a ragged boy again-a boy Of sixteen
years, footsore and weary Once more / touch
ed the latch with hesitating hand--once more a
dear voice babe me enter-once more, when
the iron of despair was entering my soul, was
summoned to new life by lips that touched
mine, lips full of love and infinite compassion.
Oh, Lizzie, while L spoke, felt my heart leap
with the renewed possibility of hope have
long concealed, but which is as old as our ac-
quaintance-a hope that some day might be.
come worthy--that some day might claim
Lizzie, love you-not as my sister, but dearer
than that--am worthy-can you love me?"
She had begun to tremble long before he
ceased, and now the tears were streaming down
her cheeks. She did not withdraw her hand,
but she kept her head bent down, so that he
could not see her eyes. .H
Oscar" said she, /" this must not be-you
deceive yourself-you think you owe me a
debt-do not know your generous soul ? ."
(How plainly then she revealed her secret, had
he been calm enough to profit by IT'D "Think
OF the difference in our years-thnk of my
plainness-of your pride and strength and man
ly beauty. Let not your gratitude mislead you.
1t is better as it is, dear brother"
Her president soul warned her truly-yet
what weighs warning in the scale of hope
and love-?
. No, Lizzie, all or none it must be. / tell
you love you, Lizzie ~ cried he, passionately,
" do yeu know what that means 4? | love you,
and II you cannot love me In return, / must go
away must leave you forever, Lizzie"
"Eoses me. }" murmured she, fondly dwelling
upon the words" love, loye-oh, Oscar, oh,
dear Oscar, do you know what it means ? .
I" Lizzie he was kneeling now, close to her;
he was putting his arms about her waist, look.
ing up into her face, and drawing her gently
towards him. H#t
Lizzie, / love you y itf
oh, Oscar cried she, raising her warm,
dewy face, so that he could see the glorious
oPOehCOoio vi ioNc glowing luere--'' on, oscar,
my heart, my soul, my ltei" and she put her
arms about his neck, warm and lovingly. show.
cred kisses upon his brow, and cheeks, and lips.
and held his head there, nursed against her
beating heart. "Oh, Oscar, my love is greater
than you guess /"
Still holding him there looking down into
his eyes every now and then with wondrous
sort of gladness, touching her lips upon his
brow with less of passion than of delirious Joy,
she said: Listen, my Oscar. did not suffer
myself to dream of this, ever. l had no right
to expect it; and, darling, 1. was very content
with the old fashion. l was willing to remain
what had right to be, your sister and your
friend, your adviser and aid. And l could have
been very happy so, Oscar. But you love me,
Oscar-oh, surely you mean it, dear? Yes. /
see it in your eyes--let me kiss them for the
sweet truth they teach me-you love me, and
now can tell you, Oscar-I have loved you
better than nay soul, ever since / touched first
your lips with mine. scarce knew it until now.
but you have stirred up the depths, my love,
and 1 know it all Oh, Oscar-I tremble-f
fear-now you must keep your love ever fresh,
for shall be very jealous of it. could have
done without it-but now you have my soul in
your keeping"
"Be sure, Lizzie, it is jewel value too
much, not to keep it in my very heart. Love
me, Lizzie, and you shall always trust me-"
Yes, L love you, and | trust you, Oscar.
But oh can happiness like this last long?"
Lizzie g doubt was a very reasonable one; but
she had no cause to recur to it for the two
months during which Oscar stayed in the vii.
lage, taking his vacation, and renvigoratinp
his health, before he resumed his labors. For
he was to go to the city, pursue his legal studies
for year, and pass the bar, ere he came home
to claim his bride. So they had arranged be-
tween them, and meantime there remained
these two months, in which to look into each,
others eyes, and listen to the sound of each
others voices. Halcyon days, not to be too
supremely enjoyed What books they read,
what visits made, what excursions took, what
flowers plucked, what new delights, and colors,
hues, and tones, found out together, hand in
handl Oscar was placidly happy and proud,
while Lizzie's life took on the blossom and
laughing joy of Mays bright self, until her
soul warbled like nest-building bird. Old
Mrs. Prynn smiled upon the lovers, but shook
her head when they were not by. What
makes them wait at all 2" she would say to
herself, impatiently; "Lizzie's old enough now,
and more. They're in love now, and they've
no right to Fly in the face of Providence in that
way. He'll go away, and see somebody else
that's younger and prettier, and not half SO
good, and then it's all up with 'em. Poor child,
and she does love him SO nightly How.
somever, it's better for her he should be tried
before than after marriage" And with this re-
Election she was fain TO content herself
Two months sail by rapidly over lovers
heads, and now the time had come for Lizzie
and Oscar to separate. 1t was easy enough for
Oscar. His ambition was perpetual spur
He was going to work, to win his way, and the
habit was on him. Idleness, however colored
by bright dreams, and made sweet with the
dulcet essences of love, did not agree with |