The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-09-26
airumonn qispatft.
n.axnav uoRNIN1 SEPT %. 1852
SEPT ~, 1852.
one OUT or MANY
euArrga

eHAprKR l.
In the twilight; OF = damp september evening
"a ,n tho dusky warmth OF a picture-nHnga ana
scented library waited my master's
-" The round table spread for tea, was
Srsuyn up near the hearth, MS slippers ana
= T.ss;ny gown were close at hand, hts favorite
l,aok gpon the reading desk, with the porcelain
lam n beside il. Just as he liked TO see IT. But
he was late, and. looking into the red tire from
nv low seat upon the hearth, began to muse.
NJ !ife, quiet and cheerful IS II had been, Rad
passed away in that old house While my
master was a gay college lad, l had played
aeoand his mothers chair, and heard her talk
fsndiv OF him. When she died, and be in his
grief wandered for years abroad, l stlii re-
manned in his home. When he returned a grave
and sslen; man. met him at the door, AID was
the slrst TO welcome him to the place. lie naa
always looked kindly on the child; he looked
no less kindly on the pale maiden Wnosest.oy
ii WAS 10 watch his face and fuihiI nis 49,
wish almost before he had uttered ~. ms -.
handed Philliss' his "fairy OF the Keys, LIS
We're the names he gave me; and ! look ny
place. as his little houseKeeper, anu v ~ -
hes; 70 make him happy. ana giaa " sa.,ar
now that must have succeeoeu 49, 49,. .",han
shsn I ,hought | was glad that night when
some faint shadow Of the truth stoie over ine
as looked around the pleasant room. ~ was
!. ha,ne 10 which any heart might have turned
"a weari,d one most fondiy Oh AIM my
hama and eve had helped 10 make IL so.
There came "A knock at the door-a murmur
,f voices In the hall; then, rs sprang up from
my seat and began TO light the candies,'ny III .
Ter AIr. Francis Carr, entered, ana came up "
The IRE He was not "a handsome man; even i,
who was so fond of him. and had few oppor-
tunjties of comparing him with others, khe"
that very well. lie was tall, ana largely made'
his features were large and marsh; MS COM
niexiou very dark and swarthy, ana MS Hi'H-
ner a com pound ofawkwardn"ss and shyness
that might have been ludicrous To some, eut
which seemed almost pathetic to me MS ltcs
bad an exp ession OF profound lnelahcnoly any 'I
"A .Ip 4
were large and dark and sparkling, but so SAD,
that nj times their giances aim ost broueht 'eii
to nv own. | could not understand IL incl
could lot see why one like him, young, Iicn,
and gifted should find cause Tor melahchoiy
in so bright "a world as ours But now tnat
am oIder-now that / have SUFFERED see
plainly what was stirring ut MS neart. re
had the soul of an artist anu the caring vi
soldier; his shyness confused, and his ugliness
named him. and forgetting all his other gifts,
he made the world forget them likewise ana
SO lived on alone. Nevertheless, the Woinah
who once underetood, could not choose bui
love him SO faithful he was-so tender ana
considerate TO all who had "a claim upon his
kindness When lie turned and smiled on me,
rs he did that night, knew could nave iaid
down my very life at his feet, II the saeriHce
would have made him happy. And II L, poor
sc want could feel thus, what must not one
in his own sphere who was really worthy 10
love him, find the strength to do
| thought of these things silently when he
took his lea w men TIE uItli vas oNci mo haN
not light The porcelain lampas usual, but push
ing The reading desk aside, sal down before the
iirc BY and by he called me, as was arrang-
ing The cups and saucers on the tray.
"Jrsuia, come here a moment
went and stood near him. What did that
flush upon his cheek, and that light in his eyes
1naan, A nd why did he smile and color still
deeper when looked AT him!
.,rhis old honse is very lonely; do you not
think so he said, after II pause.
.Lonely, sir! why, IL Is home"
All forgot; you have gown up with the
walls and they are Ieriect IN your eyes. But
| fnd il lonely sometimes"
stDo you sir!'
Something got into my throat and prevented
my saying more. had always thought MN
So happy there. ..,
said-s.I wish to- in fact, Ursula, AIN going
10 be married
lie Numbered and stammered a little with the
words. and then drew "A long breath of relief,
because he had uttered them
/ felt myself turning cold and pale-I knew
not why. | did not look III him as he talked
)n about the beauty of his bride that was to be.
looked in he fire, where L had made such |
happy pictures notquite an hour before, ana
,cho0led my beating heart, with a sickening |
terror. lest II should break at once and SO be-
tray me TO him.
knew YOU would be glad. Ursula heard
him say, "a last. You are The hrst to hear OF
my happiness my faithfui little friend. And
see, | Will show You my Margaret's picture"
He took il from his breast and opening the
golden case, held ii ont toward me. l saw
proud and regularly featured face, we'll
opened hazel eyes, and clus tering curls of dark
ialr. | saw him gaze at it, too, (oh! how ten
ierlY, and put it back into its resting place
''Sne is bonuy and good he said, looking up
II me with slow smile. at will be happy
iome--ch, Jrsula!
slioW SOON / said steadily.
Oue month from to day We set out upon our
bridal tour. In another month you Will well
3nle US home, IT. you welcomed me so long
igo, my little friend"
| kueit down beside his chair, and pressed |
ny lips to the hand that rested on the arm. A
ng gilttered ON the little finger; lie smiled |
nd turned IL toward me.
'lIer GIT, Ursula" he said gaily. "The first
'iod ever bless and keep you, my kind mas
er.'
"A nd you little Ursula though thousand
rides came here, l should never forget how
Ind and faithful you have been"
lie lad his hand upon my head caressingly |
5 he poke. ., If could only have died then
I his feet. But 1t was not to be. l rose to go,
nd when reached the door, and turned round
n the last look. he was gazing thoughtfuiiy
ito The tire--dreaming OF her, had no doubt.
SHAT the door softly, and went up TO my own
tt!e room for the last time.
sill there in dumb despair, as hour after
1Hr passed away--to rise at last, and hurry
few things into carpet-bag and put my
ttie purse INTO my bosom! Oh fool that had
zen! had been dreaming all my lie long, out
was 50 rudely awakened that could sleep no
lore. The old house could be my home no
niger. Never could l stay and see my mas,
II smile upon his fair young bride as ne nau
niIed on me. Never could see her loving
i'm. fer that she must do, he was SO Httea 70
in and keep the heart of his wife! Never, on!
ever could I trace her features ana MS IN
II face of a little child upon his knee! No, IL
as ali over and l, for evermore, a wanderer
pom The face of the earth! |
As nv sots ceased at the bitter thought, i
card nv masters step upon the stars IL
az lighter and quicker than usual, ana as ne
sssed the door OF my room he hummed the |
,orus of a love song. He, at least, would not |
.iss me. His bride would console him for
rsula's loss. 80. a., r |
/ sal ill the house grew still, and then
BOX my earpet-bag and candle, ana stoie our
ito the hall. l paused moment at ms uooI'
he liyht was out. and all was quiet within
l.. was sleening. doubtless, little Knowing who
watched and wept outside. l kissed the la,eh
is hand had lifted and went away, blinded
.ith NV tears aud stumbling and faitering on
he Wide stone stairs. The heavy bolt moved
asiiv in lis socket; the watchdog outside
~ 80 nv voice aud let me pat his great head,
IA iirLesf nv hand wistfully, as IL he would
. % said farewell. One look At the dark house
,nnnsr the moonlit trees--one look at his win
NV shruusied by the crimson curtains my
~ N hands had wrought, and then went out
rom my dear home into the wide and lonely
World. with my heart bleeding!
fcoNcLUsIoN TOMORROW