The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-05-29

aertue sound Sir Edward rose, and walked
apart for few minutes.
700 home. dear little Helena" he said IT
length ~ shall come aud see your brotneF
got home quickly, and sat in the twilight
waiting for Paul.
CHAPTER v.
l had half feared that Paul might refuse ms
consent to our engagemsnti Sa' n.d ina hat very
day been greatly improved oy son0 $500 &c
had heard in the town. some kind or nonoI
able deed, / forget exactly wna.i "nu, WIN
MANY admonitions as 10 my future conouet,
and NO, few reproofs for past misdemean-
ors he raye slow, solemn consent.
The few weeks of my engagement were per-
feet happiness to me. before, l naa naa no
;ovs and sorrows, or in my deeper feelings !;
INIT now Edward would listen with untiring
natience and ready sympathy to any thing that
came into my head. Only about Lawrence l
never talked to him. Paurs opinions-al-
though could not accept them--had yet suf-
ficient power. by their firm persistency, to
shake my confidence in my own, and dread
ed lest Edwards pride should ever turn and
rebel at the remembrance of what Paul called
our furnished NAME and felt glad that Sir Ed
ward himself never alluded to the subject. of
which feared to remind him. Pauis grave,
sulien manners hardly vexed me now; for l
knew it was but t. bear with them for an
hour or SO, and that in the next Edward
would be at my side. He awoke my interest
in thousand new things. To be his III COM
paIion, l felt must read books which had
never even seen, and these he gladly lent me
from the library at the Hail. One dav when
was there, and he was hunting up some volume
for me my eye was attracted to drawer
which was partly open. i looked into 1t. 1t
was full Of beautiful gems, delicate enamels,
and mosaics, that he had brought from Italy !,
and, in the furthest corner, glittering in the
darkness, lay some quantity carved pistols:
"Shut that drawer, Helena!' said Sir Ed
warH fiprcplV turning round suddenly. and
seeing where stood.
obeyed, and laughingly asked ifit was a
second Blue Boards cupboard. But got NO
answer, and when l looked round, Sir Ed
ward was fixedly watching me, all color gone
from his cheeks-all tenderness from his eyes
Did you again stand between and part us,
La ~rence!
Edward had promised to walk with me on
the sands, on the evening of the day but one
before that fixed for my wedding. l was
punctual to my appointment. The stable
clock at the Hall rung out eight AS reached
the bridge which, crossing the river, leads in
TO the park, and which was our usual tryst.
ing place. but no Edward was there. l watt
ed TIL nine O'Clock, and then, frightened 1t his
not coming, ran TO the Hall with beating
heart aud dark misgivings.
Sir Edward was in the library, but very
busy, he servant SAID, i'll answer TO my in
quiry. He could not be too busy to see me,
thought, so needed not what else the man
said. but Went quickly to the library.
Colonel Peterson is dead - said Sir Ed
ward gerly when 1 burst into the room, II
am sorry have broken my appun tment, but
these gentlemen and he bowed to two whom
l recognized as leading people ia. our little
town, 'have already honored me with a re-
quest mat shall supply his place. You had
better go home now
l felt sad as I walked home. 1t was wrong
however, knew, to mind that Sir Edward
seemed engrossed in this sudden prospect OF
entering The political field. where he longed to
distinguish himself; and l made many reso-
utiOns not to think OF my own claims, or to
mind how l, for q While might be discarded.
Our marriage was put off. Sir Edward was
fully occupied with the chances of his cleo
ton. Paul went up TO London, and begged
him not to hasten home; for determined 10
conquer the Old feeling of loneliness which
was creeping over me, and not 10 own its
power by requiring him as Il companion
Two or three days after he had left me, / was
sitting in the evening reading in the drawing
room. The morning OF that day had been
sunny and bright: but, in the evening, heavy
grey mist had closed round the dale, and sad
feelings Ofdepression had come oYer me. Ed
ward had been only once to me in my
solitude, and in that short visit he had
seemed distracted and halt-longing 10 be gone.
l knew that, fair as his chance was, there was
yet need for eXertoE, as two other candi-
dates had come forward. / knew that lac was
much occupied still il was diffic ult to keer
my resolution of not minding how much ~
might seem 10 neglect me. The Wind ano
rain sounded s" ureary, and my heart las 50
neaty, "" at length l buried my 1ac5 IN my
A'' - and sobbed.
fro RE CONTINUED IN OUR NExT.1