New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-12-26

tance in oil the details of household affairs.
Il Without its presenting itself in the shape of q
/ positive thought she seemed intuitivey to dread
i the emotions that would wake in idleness and so
tude, and was strong in her determination to give
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.
4 Wandering restlessly through the house. she at
last entered the room which contained Abbie's
piano. Mechanically sinking into the seat before
it, she passed her fingers over the yielding keys
with an uututored skill that marked the native tai
ent, though the simple, expressive strains ELECTED
no response from the soul which had heretofore
gone out in such rapture to their call.
4 The voice which essayed to cast its melodious
richness the air, this day would breathe no note
that did not tell of sadness-sadness 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
This would not do.
| Rising hastily, she looked around for some OBJ.
ject that might interest or amuse, among the works
Of art and beauty, which decorated the apartment,
| but without success.
| At last she bethought herself of the Sauire's
study, where, among the choice assemblage of
1 books, she had often sought information or recrea
tion of mind.
When she entered, and the door swung to after
| her, ON noiseless hinges, it shut her in, to sur
roundngs 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 brief space lulled to forget
| fulness and rest.
There come to her ardent Imagination glimpse
of love reciprocated, and the delight of union
that should be eternal.
The beautiful lips sylabled 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 sefndulgence though that she
had sought this solitude; it was not to listen to
heart-whspers, but to hush them to sleep, to re-
waking.
With an effort she aroused herself.
The desired book was sought and found.
Chrstiana resumed her seat in the armchair
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. ...=5..s..5. M..
The form, however, was continued wearisome
space of time, until at last full sense 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 a mortal blow, issued from her lips
Then come a tempest of sobs and tears, and the
murmnr oft-repeated, as though she plead with
cruel fate 81 love him! / love him!n
All the proud strength of her nature seemed
leveed to the dust and in the midst of the wreck,
she lay at last voieeless, rigid and despairing,
AS she rested, notionless, her head pressed on
the table, her features hid from the light of day,
the door opened without premontory sound and
the object of this wayward, untutored love, the
OF this abieet abandonment to grief appeared
in the entrance.
That he had been apprised OF Christianas pre-
sence, and that it was her he sought was made
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, alas where there
should have been pity for the wrecked peace that
alone could have bowed that proud head, there
was geam Of exultation, and too apprecatiye
glance for the grace that lay in every pose of the
slender figure; and quick taking in of the joint
oe 4t,ns. tl,o+l
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 Gouyngsby's pre-.
sence, she was suenly 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 encrcled 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
Richard"
2 Chrstiana.n
Harmonious in sound, bold and free in chirog-
raphy written too, if l mistake not, with the left
hand.''
Christiana lifted her pallid face, her eyes glitter
ing with indignant wrath.
Gated, and which Conyngsby 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 steadast, vet scntillant gaze, with
of laughing admiration.
at is said that those to whom the singular habit
belongs have the grasp which never grows cold in
friendship, and can strike unerrngly the blow that
is to revenge trust betrayed" she added in a
measured unvaryng voice, which yet had
threatening infection.
~ feel that with the peculiarty have the gift"
'Then it is the hand love-" he answered, i'm
petuously sezing 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? l hate you-such insult is for
me alone,,' incoherently gasped the wounded and
angered Ghristiana. 81 hate you." 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.
"Christiana," came in deep, low voice, its in
tonation bearing reproof and tenderness. I'm
changed as was her men, and deeply aggrieyed as
she knew herself to be- the girls heart thrilled in