The south-western., 1861-09-04

ing subjects for his Skill as her old custom had beenor
she would beg him to give lesson in executing diff
cult passage and rendering it with due feeling and ex
preston. In the same way in their readings, which
gradually were carried with regularity and in
teres she appeared to look upon herself as the
obliged, appealed to his judgment, and deferred to his
opinion, without any consciousness of the fatigue she
underwent or the service she rendering
Ore day. they sitting in the library after she
had been for time pursuing her seIfmposed task and
Edward fearing she would be tired had repeatedly EN-
treated her to desit, she answered gayly:
'Letme alone Edward! tits SO pleasant to 90 through
book with you; you make such nice reflections and
point out the finest passages, aud explain the difficult
parts so clearly that it does good dozen
readings By myself. shall grow quite clever now we
have begun our literary studies"
Dear Mary, say rather, ended for you know this
cannot always 90 so. | must return to my own
house week; have trespassed on your fathers
hospitality, indulgence, and forbearance too long"
Leave us, Edward!" and the color deepened in her
cheeks, and tears stood in her bright eyes Not yet
Not yet? The day would still come dearest delay il
might and it is manful thus shrink from what
must and ought to be? have TO begin life in earnest
and if alter at the onset what will be the RESULT
have arranged every thing; Mr.. Glen, our clergyman
has cousin, usher i'll school who wishes for re-
trement and country air l have engaged him to live
with ME companion and reaper. Next week he
comes; and then, Mary, farewell to Woodlands"
No, not farewell, for you must come here very
often; and must read to you STILL and you must teach
still and tell in your noble thoughts and beau
ful language of better and higher things than once
used to care for. And then our walks-oh Edward
must continue to the sunset from the cliffs
times together. You first taught how beautiful it
told you of the tints upon the sky and upon the
sea- and upon the boats with their gisening sails and
you set the view before me in all its harmony andloye-
illness, brought it home to my heart and made feel
how cold and insensibe ] had been beforen
F,lly 7
am no longer blind"'
The book she had been reading fell unheeded on tire
ground she trembPd her color went and came as she
laid her hand tmidy his arn indcscrbubIc tender.
ness reverence, and compassion busy within her
soul
Edward, YOU will not change In any thing towards
Us; this new companion need not estIange you from
your oldest and dearest friendSyour mothers friends
Let me always be your pupil your friend, yoursister"
'Sustainer cousoler, guide! Sister above all oh yes
my sister, Best and sweetest titiesay it again Mary
say it agan!" aud sezug her hand he kissed passion
ately and held it for moment within his own. Then
suddenly reinqushed it. he continued in an al eed
tone my sister and my friend until another comes
claim higher privilege, and Mary shall be foreverot
to me!'
She drew back, anda few iuaudible words died daway
uTon her lip>; he could see her appealing fearful
eyes. Mistakng the cause of her reserve, he made
strong effort to regain composurc.
DO you remember when you were child, Mary,
how ambtoulY romantic you used to be, and how you
we're determined to become duchess at least:"
'And how you used to tease me, BY saying YOU would
only come TO my castle disguised as u wandering min.
strel and would never sit the board between and
the duke, Edward? Yes l remember it all very well,
foolish children that we werc But l. at least know
better now; ambitious in that way any longer"
'In that wayy In what direction then do your aspra
tjcns teud2"
TO be loved" said Mary fervently; 10 be loved,
III ~. ] -
noble nature is suseeptibleto know that the heart
which lean has no thought for me-to be certain
that with ull my faults and wAywardness | am loved
for myself alone not for-for any little charm OF face
which people may attribute o me-
Edward rose abruptly and walked up and down the
room which from his long stay in the house had be-
come familiar to him. MARY" he resumed stopping as
he drew her lyon DO oursef injustice The face
YOU set so little by be beautiful the index
of your sou have pictured you often myself;
have coveted the blessing Of sight were it only for
instant, that might gaze upon youi TIE dim form of
my mother as l last behcld her in my infancy, floats
before when ! think of YOU, encirciea with halo of
heavenly light which faney to be your attribute and
radiance hoveT5 round YOUR golden such glad
dens our hearts III sunshine"
All, Edward, it is better YOU cannot see as am
You would not lovc--l mean you would not think OF
me--so much"
at could but see you moment as you will look at
the bail tonight, fancy should never repine again
"The ball tonight! had quite forgotten it; visa
mamma would not insist upon my going. do not care
for these things any longer-you will be left nloLc
Edward, and that seems SO heartlcs5 and pnkind!'
"Aary" said one Of her sisters opening the ilrarp
door, look these beautiful hot-house flowers which
have arrived here for Come, Edward come and see
them too"
They were so accustomed to treat him as ono Of them
selves and used his attitude i'll many ways,
that they often did not appear remember he was blind
The flowers and beautiful and yet no
donors accompanied the gift. Suddenly one OF
the girls cried out laughngly II have guessed hav9
guessed. It Edward He mas heard talking about
this ball. and must have ordered them purpose for Us
Kind, good Edward!' and they were loud in their ex-
pressions Of delight ALL except Mary, who kept silently
aloof.
Mary does not like her howers?' said Edward in
quringy, turning i'll the direction u.Fe she stood.
NO she replied sorrowtuly, it is the ball that do
net like, not your thinking about decking out for it
As ii | cared to go!'
"Look at these lovely roses said the eldest sister,
as they selecting what each should wear; would
not Mary look we'll With wreath Of these roses in her
hair
Yes yes" exclaimed Edward eagerly, land let me
weave it for her You know, Mary, it is one of my
compiishments; you were proud Of my garlands when
you alitte girl viii you trust my fingers for the
task?'
If you really Wish it, If it does not seem too Ffing
yes said Mary gently with troubled expression upon
her brow usually serene she moved reluctantly
away Bat it must appear such Tnockery YOU poor
Edwarda and then, without waiting for a reply, she
hurried to her room, and did not show herself again
until the family assembled for dinner; while Edward
seated between the sisters who in srea delight in
hcir anticipation of the evenings amusements silently
oetook himself to his task,
Early after dinner, the large old-fashoned drawing
room at Woodlands was deserted; the momentous bus-
ness Of the toilet had be gone through, and then
drive Of five miles accomplished, before Mrs. Parker
md her three fair daughters could find themselves at
he ball. Edward the only occupant of the room;
seated at the piano. which his hugcrs idly strayedhe
and then struck chords Of deep melancholy or broke
nto passages of plaintiye sadness.
"lona, alonei How the silence Of this room strikes
Ipon my hearthew long this evening will be without
Ter voice. without her tootsteps And yet this is what
awaits me, what is inevitably drawing Next week
leave the roof under which she dwells shall not hear
Ter singing she down stairs in the morning;
hall not have her constantly at my side asking with
sweet chdike carnestnes' to teachher to repeat
poetry or to give expression her music The welcome
use of her dress the melody Of her laugh will soon
become rare sounds TO me! Within, around, beyond
Ill is dark hopeless solitary. Life stretches itself
Yearly before me, blind and desolate as am! Mother
mother, we'll might your sweet spirit shrink when you
contemplated this for your miserable son! How strange
hose last words! I thought Of them to-day, while
made her wreath of roses and when her sisters told me
If the numbers who focked around her Every flower