Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-02-08
A LOST AND WON.
CFrom Titan.1
CHAPTER L.

1t was clear, frosty day in January, and two
girls were talking to- ether in q country lane
near the market town ola. The leafiesi
hedges were white with boar FROST the grounC
was covered with the sparkling rime-the gres
trees spread their lsnk, bare branches to the
sky, which looked down on the earth with I
dull, leaden aspect. Every thing appeared as j
dead in the iron grasp of winter-every thing
save the two girls They we're all life amid thu
stillness--all buOyancy, gladness, youth! Itwai
Joyous spring with them.
They were very nearly Of hight, and appar
emily of equal age. One, trihe the taller, wa
a graceful well,formed girl, with a slender
throat, which looked, from the contrast of th,
dark fur she wore, dOubly white and delicate
She had brown eyes, soft and almost languish.
ing when she was silent, but directly as she
sp Jke, they lighted up and sparkled, and danceI
'iks the little rippIes on q lake when the sun
shines This girl had other beauties, too, be
sides her eyes She had dark, shining hair
braided over the forehead, and blooming cheeks
she had A Little, ROSY pouti9g mouth, and in tha
and the dimpled chin mi9h be detected con-
siderable proportion of girlish petulance, will
lulness and love Of mischief.
The other girl was pale, dropping, almos
delicate-looking Even the keen wintry air hat
failed to call glow to her white cheeks. There
was no brilliant beauty here to charm the be-
holder Only there was depth Of feeling il
her soft ewes; tremulous sehsitiyeness abogI
the whole face, that, though it would neVel
command admiration, might well win love. Ai
she walked beside her brilliant and blooming
companion, few Wonld have turned from thl
sparkling, animated beauty ofthe one to admire
~, - IF fha NJ NJ w har
they spoke, there was the same characteristic
dissimilarity in their voices. That Of the OnG
was clear, distinct, musical, as the chime of {
silver bell; the others was soft, low and muir
muring, with shade of melancholy in its tohe
| like the music of an q lian harp.
"You are silent, Flora" said the pale girl
looking up into her friends face, ''it is a rare
thing for you to be silent for SO long together.
about five minutes" returned the other
lFiising her head with a graceful, buoyant ges
tuTs, which was peculiar to her, while a bTighl
smile reused all the slumberiag dimples in hsI
cheek, and the face, half lfpensive in its expires
sion moment before, became again joyous and
animated "Only five minutes, 1 am certain
desr; but, to be sure, seldom give my little
tongue SO long holiday"
"knd you seldom look so grave, almost sad
as you looked just now" continued her COM
paniOn; ''nOthing is the matter, is there!"
Flora laughed merrily. "Silly little friend
cried she, stopping to Kiss her afectionately. =
know that there are very few mischances
which could befall me which would have the
effect of making me look grave. Besides, in
case any thing did vex me should tell you di.
yectly, that you might be sorrowful for me. Il
would be almost worth while having grief to
have your sympathy, Evelyn" G
EVELYN looked up in her face gratefully.
"One of il1e penalties we lively people have
to pay," resumed Flora, sis that, if by any
chance we are serious or thoughtful, or, in
short, behave like rational beings for while,
we are instantly observed, our unusual bearing
commented on, and we are supposed to be suf-
fering under some deep grief. All, fortunate
EVelyn no one thinks it strange when you
lock thoughtful, sensible, Or" ~
"Sadl" said the other, smiling family, as
Flora ceased speaking, and paused, half en-
barrsssed. "That is what you mean, and you
are right; il is not strange thing for me tC
look either thoughtful or sad. My nature is SO
different from yeurs But tell me-" she added
as # glad to speak of other things, "tel me
what You were thinking ofjust nOw!"
Twas thinking Ofmy long promised visit to
London"
"Ah, and of some one you viii see there!'
saio Evelyn, while the faintest possible flush
rose to her cheek.
aNonse,,se," returned Flora, turning away,
though not " ith any displeasure; tone thought
is enough at tips. for my poor little brains at
least
ayes, but when we love, " said Evelyn, gent
", our thoughts, like the swans on sweet st.
Mary's Lake, float doubIe;' whatever idea Oc.
ours to us, the one all-pervading one il blent
With It,"
nYou talk as if you had been in love a dozen
tim es at least" cried Flora, laughing, "but
snnn,7se you, being of a sensitive and poetic
tsnnerau1ssst, know intuitiVely what people
feel under s9rry circumstance. I'm sure you
Irnov more abo Htit than l do"
Tbsrs was a parse Had Flora been an acute
observer. which she was not, 6there was too
much thouphtless seifshness and egotlsm IN heT
character tor her to be so,) she would have per-
ceiyed the strange look that. for q moment,
oyerspread Evelyn's face But 1t came and
passed unnoticed.
at will be very delightful to go to London,
resumed Flora, ''and my aunt Is very gay, and
sbsIl have parties and balls to my hearts con-
tent. Yes, It will be very pleasant; ! shall
eniov all those sorts Of things very much
as there nothing else, no other pleasure, you
look forward to in this visit" asked Evelyn
with look of grave reProach in her eyes.
"Well, ifyou must know every thllg-2nd
it's no use attempting TO hide anything nom
vou for I really believe that you know what
ieel, or ought to feel, better than do my!elf-
| ;f Won must know, do feel pleased to think
shall, in all probability, see EuEtace Fane dur'
ING nv stay ntownl"