Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-02-08
CLEVELAND, WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 8, 1860

| Y on VIII bOth be happy," murmured EVea
| lyn, sand you deserve TO be so. You love him
very dearly, Floral" she said. suddenly, end
she TUNED with an earnest anxious look to her
friend. VERY dearly, and only him-you are
surel''
"You are searching catechist," answered
Flora, blushng and half confused, "and you
ask more than ought to tell. No words OF ac-
! knOWledged love ever passed between Us.
have no right, have /, to believe that he loves
me till he asks for my hand, and till then it
would not be maidenly to say, even to you, how
much I-hOw very much | love himl" She
concluded rapidly, while glow of enthusiasm
| lighted her face, making it doubly beautiful.
But after she had spoken she dropped her head
bashfuliy, as if half ashamed Of the burst of
impulsive tenderness 10 which she had yielded
at is all nonsense" she said, trying to laugh
carelessly, "and don't know my own mind as
yet. Don't look reprOachfuly at me, Evelyn,
with those earnest eyes of yours. You know l
can not, ought not speak about this, even to
my own heart, till know. Had you not been
q tiresome, teasing, wheeling little friend, as
you are, no one would ever have guessed any.
thing"
81 must have boen very blind" said Evelyn,
''not to know that you loved each other There
is often more eloquence in face than ever fell
/
all was written in his eyes when he looked at
you"
"You think so-you are sure-and you are
never deceived" cried Flora, eagerly clasPing
her friends hand, and peering into her eyes
Then, remembering herself she calmed, erected
her head, and quietly added, "Very well, it
may be So"
Without noticing her last words and changed
manners, Evelyn went on speaking earnestly
and anxiously.
"Dear, dear Floral" she said, while an un-
wonted crimson spot arose on each pale cheek,
and her voice trembled, ''rememberwhata holy,
solemn thing it is for you to have the happiness
of one SO great and good as Eustaee Fame in
your keeping. Strive that you may become
worthy of him. Pray to God to give you
strength aud fitness to be his wife, his compan-
ion, comforter, adviser and friend, Do not dare
to toy with heart like his; it would be his
despair and your undoing. Great souls like his
must be dealt with in kindred spirit of nobil-
ity. Beyourself with him, Flora-be true and
faithful to yourself in being so to him. God
guard you and make you both happyl"
She faltered, and Fer voice died away to a
whisper, ere she ceased speaking. Flora, affect
ed by her deep earnestness, remained silent,
and neither uttered word during the remainder
Of the walk. But when they arrived at Eve
lyn's abode they stopped and bade each other
farewell with more than usual affectiOnate i'm
pressiveness.
81 wish were like you, dear Evelyn" whis-
Pered Flora, while sweet seriousness shadS
owed her face; ''you are so good, so true!-
And will heed what you say, and try! But
l shall never be half SO worthy of him as you
are"
Evelyn turned aside quickly, and shivered as
she trOd the path which lead to the door Of her
fathers house
At the Threshold she met her mother, a
quiet, fair woman, with a serene face, which
truly looked as though the spirit which shOne
through it had been purified with much suffer-
ing. She passed her arm carelessly around her
young daughters waist, while she murmured
some maternal fears about the chill evening air.
A burst of laughter from an adjoining room
nearly drowned her wCrds. Evelyn started.
fIs there any one with my father!" she asked.
But befare,heF mother could answer the door
on the right hand of the corridor was opened,
and lady came forth followed by Eyelyn's
father.
"Ah my young friend, how are youl" said
the brisk, pretty little Mrs Beresford, stretch
ing out her nestly-gloved hand to Evelyn. 81
came to tell you all news which I am sure you
will be pleased at. Flora was walking with you,
think Well, directly after she went cut, the
past came in. We are going to London on
Monday next /"
"Indeed So soonl"
ayes. My sister particularly wishes US to
come to her at once. Pleasant, isn't i'll It
won't be very long, though. should be very
sorry to think of leaving the dear place and all
our kind friends for very long time. But it
will be delightful for Flora; in fact, that recon
Giles me for going at all. My own inclinatiOns,
since the demise Of nay dear husband, have ever
leaned towards complete retirement"
And the lsdy's voice grew plaintive, and she
half drew out delicate Oambri0 handkerchief
from her reticule as she spoke; but then chang>
ing her mood, she smiled brightly at Evelyn's
mother, saying, "But what can not we mothers
4 sacrifice for our children's welfare, dear Mrs.
LeSterl"