New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-12-25


them no encouragement.
AT last the minutest arrangement that ingenuity
could suggest had been made, the scarcely tasted
MONDAY meal had been cleared away, her humble
wardrobe had been packed for removal to her
mothers roof and there still remained frightful
length of the day to be passed.
Wandering restlessly through the house, she at
last entered the room which contained Abbie's
piano. Mechanically sinking into the seat before
i IL, she passed her fingers over the yielding keys
with untutored skill that marked the native tall
ent, though the simple expressive strains ELECTED
no response from the soul which had heretofore
4 gone out in such rapture to their call.
The voice which essayed to cast its melodious
richness on the air. this day would breathe no note
that did not tell of sadnesssadness the hardest to
be borne, the most grievous that can come in life
that which the young heart knows, when cast back
upon itself, and all its tender hopes lie withered
in an untimely blight
i This would not do.
Rising hastily, she looked around for some OBJ
ject that might interest amuse, among the works
of art and beauty, which decorated the apartment,
but without success.
At last she bethought herself of the Squire Is
study, where, among the choice assemblage of
books, she had often sought information or recrea-
ton of mind.
When she entered and the door swung to after
her, on noiseless hinges it shut her in, to sur
roundings which formed scene Of luxurious COM
| fort.
The softly tempered light the glowing fire, the
| genial atmosphere, the antique bookcases, the few
and carefully selected pictures the graceful tables
and chairs suggestive of repose in every curve all
were calculated to minister to the senses, and
through them lull inward storms to peace.
Christiana was for a brief space ulled to forget
fulness and rest.
| There come to her ardent Imagination glimpse
of love reciproeated, and the delight of union
that should be eternal.
| The beautiful lips syllabled the loved name, the
hand idly toying, traced the letters that formed it,
her own grew to light beside it, and there come
sense of pleasure, weak though she knew it to be,
| at the companionship.
| 1t was not for self-indulgenee though that she
had sought this solitude il was not to listen TO
heart-whispers, but to hush them to sleep, to re-
duee them to silence that should know no
waking.
With an effort she aroused herself.
The desired book was sought and found.
Ghristiana resumed her seat in the rm-chair
which stood by the large table in the center OF the
room, and commenced its perusal.
Words and sentences passed before her eyes,
and pages were turned but the thoughts, whether
grave or gay, did not reach the appreciation of
her mind.
The form, however, was continued wearsome
space of time until at last full of its mock
cry seemed to burst upon her, and the book fell,
and her head bent, while low cry, as If she had
been stricken mortal blow, issued from her lips.
Then come tempest of sobs and tears, and the
murmur oft-repeated, as though she plead with
cruel fate: "1loye him. Ilove him!"
All the proud strength Of her nature seemed
leveled to the DUST and, in the midst of the wreck
she lay at last yoceless, rigid and desparing.
As she rested, motionless, her head pressed on
the table, her features hid from the light of day,
the door opened without premonitory sound, and
the object of this wayward, nntutored love, the
cause Of this abject abandonment to grief, appeared
in the entrance.
That he had been apprised OF Christiana's pre-
sence and that it was her he sought, was made
manifest by the quckness with which the door was
drawn to and the eager step that placed him at her
side.
As he bent over her there was love in his eyes
such love as he could feel but, aias where there
should have been pity for the wrecked peace that
alone could have bowed that proud head there
was gleam of exnltation, and a too appreeiative
glance for the grace that lay in every pose of the
slender figure and quick taking in of the joint
tracery of their names, showed that he was not
entirely given up to solictude and concern for her
distress.
As for Christiana, it was impossible to decide
whether she thought it the chance entrance of
servant, or whether conscious Of Conyngsby's pre-
sence, she was sullenly defiant, and refused either
to recognize it or fly.
Ardent as had been his gaze and the gesture ac
companying it, as if he would have eneircled her
in his arms, his first words were cold, and even
took an infection of mockery. They were, as he
lifted the paper from the table and read,
'tRichard.n
" Christiana.n
Harmonious in sound, bold and free in chirog-
raphy; written too if l mistake not, with the left
hand.''
ehristiana lifted her pallid face, her eyes glitter
ing with indignant wrath.
Give it me, }" she said, holding the hand indi-
Gated, and which Gonyngsby had often before noted
that she used as others do their right, extended
towards the paper he still retained.
The request was not complied with, and he re-
turned her seadfast yet scintillant gaze with one
of laughing admiration.
alt is said that those to whom the singular habit
belongs have the grasp which never grows cold in
friendship and can strike unerringly the blow that
is to revenge trust betrayed" she added in a
measured, unvarying voice, which yet had
threatening infection.
~ feel that with the peculiarity have the gift
Then it is the hand love-" he answered, i'm
petuously seizng it, and pressing dozens of kisses
on taper fingers, dimpled back rosy PALM and
rounded wrist before the astonished girl could
snatch It from his hold.
How dare you? | hate you-such insult is for
me alone,i, neoherently gasped the wounded and
angered Christiana. ''I hate youn she repeated,
and the beautiful hand was dashed against the
table with force that seemed sufficient to shatter
its slender bones, and then wrapped and hid away
In her handkerchief as if it offended her sight.
'tChristana," came in deep, low voice, its in
tonation bearing reproof and tenderness. I'M
changed as was her mien, and deeply aggrieved as
she knew herself to be, the girls heart thrilled in
response to the soft tone.
After a moments pause, as if to subdue agita-
ton, Conyngsby continued: #.z
aIf to have yielded you every thought of my
mind, every pulse Of my heart, every aspiration of