The commonwealth. (Wilmington, Del.) 1858-18??, 1859-03-12

passed on, and he was still insensible tc
the charms Of their fair daughters, they
began to think that either he was not sus.
ceptible of love, or he had loved and been
disappointed. Bot among all the gay and
fashionable young ladies, he met n soci-
ETY., there was not one who equaled hia
ideas Of female lovcliness, that was the
counterpart Of his ideal, be nee his indif-
ference to their charms. He sometimes
thought of the child Flora not as one be
had loved, but as one whose beauty of fea-
lures and expressive coutenance had in-
terested him, and who had been thrown
upon the world, with none to guide and
shield her from temptation, and who, could
be have found her, might then have been
an ornament to the society in which bis
family moved.
1t was'at large and fashionable party
that Hartly Weston first met Mrs. Walton
and her daughter, they having recently
returned from four years residence in
Europe. Flora Walton was beautiful and
accomplished, and when Hartly Weston
was introduced to her, there was an in
defnablc something in the expression Of
her countenanoe. as her dark-blue eye
dropped beneath his admiring gaze ill the
long silken lashes rested upon her flushed
cheeks, that reminded him Of Flora Lee,
although IL was eleven years since be met
her. Flora soon recovered her self-pos
session, and her refined conversation and
unassuming manners won his admiration
as much as the beauty of her features
During the winter, Hartly visited Mrs.
Waltou's frequently, and ere long he ac-
knowledged to himself that he loved the
fair Flora deyotedly, although he denied
it to those who ba1tered him with being
caught at last. .f4s
Summer came, and Mrs. Walton was
preparing to leave the city, but Flora, al
though she never opposed the wishes of her
mother. was unwilling to leave so early 10
the season. One evening, feeling some
what sad, she sat down at the piano and,
warblipg plaintive air, playing the ac-
compartment. She had a sweet voice, aud
when she sang or played, her whole sou
was in the performance, and ere she
ceased singing, her eyes were filled with
tears. A ha nd was laid upon her arm
and looking up, she saw Hartly Weston
by her side. He had entered unperceived
and he said
Flora, why those tears I though
you were always happy"
=" am happy, but every heart has it
moments of sadness and | was thinking
of deceased friend, and of one who WA
kind to her, she said, as she raised he
soul boaming eye to bis.
10 Hartly led her told hefnas3 love, an'
e. ESD sasa Aare his destiny through lite
lie had believed that bis love was recip
rocated, but he now waited inpatient,
for an answer; and after few minutes
silence. she, with forced calmness, said
+" Hartly Weston, you only have eve
loved, and with none other can i be hap
py, but l can never be your wife !" an'
she bowed her face upon her hands, AM
wept.
Flora, il you love me, what is thore t
prevent our union Is your mother op
pored to it I" he said.
No, my mother esteems you but you
mother is proud aristocratic woman. :
She may object, and l will never enter
family unless they look upon me as the
equal" she replied.
Z" The position Of your mother, both .
regards wealth and station, is equal to tbs
of mine, and what can you mean wi
you not explain !" be said, as be watche
intently the varying expression Of h'
countenance.
II was once street beggar. Wi
/ your proud mother stoop to associate wit
such cnel" and as Hartiy did not al
swer, she continued +" Eleven years as
last November | went out in a severe stcr
| to beg bread for my dying mother al
myself. l was repulsed by many, al
one mar rudely kicksd me, hurting 4
severely; but | was hungry, and my N
Q ther had not eaten scarce anything
y days saying she could not eat, but ha
since thought that she did it that | mig
s have all, and | resolved to ask once mo
. | did 80, and the gentleman accompani
ME to my garret home, furnished US wi
/, fuel aud food, saw my mother, and chez
a ed her dying hours by the promise tina.
IS should ind friends who would protect n
Through his iiberality my bther "
v. buried at Greenwood beside my father.
III AS l turpsd from my, mothers grave,
a, lad5 Who xyd just aliehted from her C
Sc Mirage askesxme ~ t6at was my fathe
IN tombstone, and when sne learned twh
40 was the new made grave, she clasped
a in her arms, saying that hencefolth ,
r. her child, for my mother was once
IN most intimate friend, but recently she |
e. lost all trace of her. That was Mrs. "
be ton, childless widow, who had been
ne visit the graves Of her husband and c
or dren, and from that day have called
er mother. Mother can inform you that
sh parents were once honored and respect
he yet circumstances over which my Q
rs mother could have no control compe
nd her to find home among the dregs Of
RS ciety, aud your family is not one to ov
,ot look it"
" Now know why it is that whe
to first met you, you reminded me Of
nd child Flora Lee. had not forgotten
mr. incid enti but did you recognize me :"
Ier Haruy,
"Yes for not only your image wa.
lid delibly engraven upon my memory,
md those words g will always love y
to which you spoke merely to sooth my z
and wherever have wandered, in
ere happiest or saddest hour, could r'
af- your image as you then looked"
, Of Flora.
fol- Then Hartly Weston told her Of
AXE fruitless search for her, and his disapp
sit ment at not finding her, for his INC
but bad promised to educate her as an at