The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-09-22

lO'bot VN''l'hlnS Uut HcT BVuCc bUo
beauty, and my firm resolution to be
more TO her than her cousin should
be; but out Of that charmed pres.
encc my conscience made me mseIa-
BILE.
am afraid must sometimes have
betrayed the conflict of feeling by my
manner, but when | was reserved, and
ccremoncous with her, she always
resented it and begged me so be.
wilchingly not to treat her so, and
call her by her sweet name FLORENCE,
that had J dreamed as much as long
ed to do, could not have refused her
But the consciousness that ! was not
what she thought me, but an impos-
ter, of whom, after our connection
had ceased, and she had discovered
the deception practiced upon her, she
could think or remember nothing that
would not cause unmeritcd Selfre.
proach and modification, all innocent
and trusting as she was, this reflection
more than any other, | confess, and
the knowledge of the estimation in
which she would forever hold me, ar-
ter my imposition was discovered, ag.
onizcd, aud | would have given all |
possessed to own it to her and leave
her sight at once. The thought Of
never seeing her any more was dread
full But that could not be.
At last we reached st. Louis. Do |
say sat lastl' When the sight of
those spires and gables warned me
that my brief dream Of happiness was
over, and that the remorsclul rctec-
tons had been starving of 50 long,
were now TO commence in earnest, the
thought of the coming banishment
from Florence was dreadful TO me,
and the time seemed to fly on light.
ninys wings as it drew near, She
was all gaiety, and was astonishcd
at my sadness and absence Of mind
W hen so near home and Jennie, and
when we entered the carriage that
was to convey Us to our destination, |
had half IA mind to take q coWardly
flight, rather than encounter the scorn
and disappointment of those blue eyes,
but mustered courage and followed
her in giving the address found in the
port.monnic, which, fortunately, was
the right Of the driver.
almost home" said she, turning
her bright face towards mc-wc were
rattlng up the street and my time was
short-'how can you be so cod and
quiet y
"BecauSc, Miss Florence" | ans
wercd, "thc time has come in which
must confess TO you that | have no
more right in the house to which we
are Fastening than to the name by
which you address me, and that my
only claim to either is that of an i'm
poster and deccivcr."
She turned her lovely face wonder
ING aud puzzled towards me.
Thank Heaven did not read fear
and aversion in it.
"No right. no claim t. she repeated,
"what can you mean
told her frankly and fully, the
whole truth nearly as had set it down
here, denying nothing, and concealing
nothing, not even the useless secret
of my love for her. When the rcci.
tai was ended. we both remained ST.
lent. but although she had hidden her
face, could sec that she trembled vi.
olentIy with shame and repulsion.-
The sight Of distress was agony tc
me, and tried to say few words oI
apology.
"You cannot blame or hate me
Miss Dundard, more than | hate and
blame myself" said, "lor the distress
have so unwillingly caused you.-
Heaven knows that if accepted the
charge of so much innocence and
beauty, have heavily 'atoned since,
in having occasioncd this suffering to
you, and my own punishment is more
than | can bear
The coach stopped as | spoke: she
turned towards me eagerly. her face
hearing traces of tears, and said in a
| low voice:
"Do no, misunderstood me- if | was
so silent
The coachman threw open the door,
and stood waiting. | was obliged to
descend and assist her out. hardly
dared touch that little hand. though it
was for the last time, but watched
her graceful figure with sad distress.
She was already recognized for the
door was thrown open, and pretty
woman, followed by a fine.looking
black whiskered gentleman, suppos.
ed to be my name sake, rushed down
the steps. There were loud exclama.
tions of astonshment and pleasure, a
cordial welcome, and some rapid