New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-12-25

OF the fact that 1t was gloomy and sallen ana dis
pirting, and that rain beginning to fall with 0
dismal patter on the roof.
/ Everything took leaden aspect, and the rose
J ate hue faded from life more quickly than tran
spre the eyanescent changes of q sunset sky.
! She who had hitherto been SO sufficient to
herself, and consequently so impregnable tc
humiliation from neglect or GOODNESS, suddenly had
realizing sense of her lowliness of lot among the
crowd who toll for sustenance, and, with keen
|, pang, sunk in spirit 10 level with her situa
J ton.
sewing girl mate herself with gentleman
born and bred? She scoffed at the weakness that
could have engendered such an idea, and shrunk
away from the assemblage Of social equals to hide
herself in the quiet and dimness of the where
her labor was pursued.
This groveling Of the spirit, however, was for
egn to her nature, and she rose from it indignant
| and defiant, angry and bitter with herself, and
filled with sentiment which she believed to be
contemptuous hatred for the person who had sur
prised her into it.
Mr.. Conyngsby "a visit was prolonged beyond the
original period assigned for it, but Christiana, in
manner, was as icily unconscious of his presence
as if he had never passed before her vision
j She was not permitted, however, to put him, il
she could, from her recollection, for his name had
grown familiar to her benefactress and friend, and
despoiled Of the cousinly appendage, Z" Richard y
was enunciated with increasing frequency by Alb
bie's sweet lips.
On the evening of the last day but one of Chris
tiana's stay in Squire Halls household, she had
gone to window for the benefit of the last rays of
the sun, for the placing Of few stitches in near
ly completed garment.
G,.1aI HOOD Foi1 H.
SILL and the sad, dspirited brow leaned against the
cold glass.
i Filled with scorn for herself, she lifted her head
and refused to yield to the weakness that was steal
| ing over her.
4 1t was but for moment, though; why not :?
There was no one to sneer, no one to taunt no one
to look askance at the pouring out of her hearts
| blood though who could there be who would do
| it so bitterly as she herself, when the tide had
1 ceased.
/ One more day he would live to her sight, and
after that, my God! long death Never, never,
never to see him again, or else, wide as was the
| gulf that parted her from him now, to meet once
more, and have between them chasm which
/ death alone could bridge.
All kind Lord spare me that He does not, he
shall not love, he shall not marry another.
| A quick clatter of approaching horses feet rung
out on the cold air, and as Christiana lifted her
bowed head and Strengthened her dsordered locks,
she discovered through the deepening twilight
that Abbie and Mr. Conyngsby were returning
| from horseback ride.
AS they drew rein under the window, she turned
| away, though not so quickly but that she noted
the instant's detention of the slight form in his
| arms, and the whispered words, as he assisted Alb
bic to light.
The time of her indulgence was gone by no
human eye might rest upon traces of emotion for
which she hated herself.
Placing her work to one side, she bathed her
aching head incold, refreshing water, and smoothly
brushed the Injurious black FURNISHED tresses that
folded back from her face.
Then she passed into Abbie's room, prepared a
light, and arranged some tri1es for the change of
toilet which she knew Abbe would ascend to make,
and stood waiting, her appearance with an exterior
of composure.
Abbie was childshly demonstrative, both Of love
and pleasure ; and as she came dancing into the
room, threw her arms round the statuesque figure
Of her attendant companion, saying, half whisper
ingly:
"Be glad with me, Anna, am 80 happy
In her little fatter of pleasure she did not notice
the sudden tremor that shook the stately form of
her friend, nor observe that her tender clasp was
unreciprocated.
Had the first impulse been yielded to, Christians
would have repealed her almost with blow; as it
was, she lifted the hat from the golden curls, drew
Abbie to the light, and looked into her face long,
searchngly, and even curiously, and asked, in
low, measured voice
"Could you live if that happiness was blasted?
Would you curse the destroyer ~
NO. said Abbie, to both questions; "but how
strangely you look. Are you ill? Are you
troubled"
aNo,n to both questions, mechanically repeated
Christiana, with forced laugh. II did but won
der II to the charm that nature had given you over
hearts was added an exemption from sorrow.n
al cannot hope for that, replied Abbie, quite
seriously; .'but OH dear Anna, my future lies be-
fore me now an opening vista Of happiness"
Christiana released her hold on Abhie quickly,
as If dreading further confidence and said hur-
riedly:
81 leave you after tomorrow, Abbie, and your
approaching absence from town makes it probable
that we shall not meet again. If anght should
come between us, or if we should never meet, re-
member that / am grateful for your steadfast
friendship, and thankful for my mothers sake for
the assistance you have rendered me.''
Why, Wlat cnaIge can Gomez asked ADple,
q Or what shall hinder our meeting again ~
As to the former we know not what lies for us
in The hand Of tme regarding the latter it is death
and sometimes absence that parts the tenderest
ties. have thought of leaving here, Of trying
widertield, of ceasing to be o sewing grl,'' she
wound up bitterly.
All, now you are not kind quickly re-
Piled Abbie. You make me think that surely
By some inadyertent act, I have wounded, have
hurt you.i
Far from it. You are always good and gentle
and kind,'' said Christiana, with o truthful mag
nanimity, !" and it is who am perverse and way
ward and fitful past your understanding. Do not
let it worry you. Let me kiss you, and then go to
your happiness.
Pressing her crimson lips on Abbies blueveined
lids with an almost passionate tenderness, Christi
ana turned abruptly away, and withdrew to hide
the anguish which had this evening sweled to such
dangerous life in the darkness and solitude Of her
own room.
CHAPTER III.
And Rosalie was loved-not with that pure
And holy passion which can age endure;
But loved with wild and self,consuming fires
A torch which glares-and SC srches-ald expires "
l.. E. Il.
Abbie had APPOINTED that the succeeding day