The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-04-20

{
dent.
| Ii was curious to watch the progress, Of
this youthful interchange Of mind-thos,
first childish efforts. The slew advance.
men. in each letter, and as last the perfect
productions Of perfect minds, sparkling
with gems of though, and genius. The,
wrote to each other only as brother and sis.
ter might. yet Margaret smiled as she
perused the letters, and read, amiis, des.
| crip,:ous of present scenes, allusions TO the
by-past hours spent upon Lyndhu.s. lawn
and merry gambols in the cottage porch
and whispered-''Lily shall be lady of Lynd-
hurst"
''He is coming here mex. year." said Lily,
as she handed Edwards last letter to Mar
garei Eimore. SHE is coming home next
year. aunt; am very glad"
$50 am l, Lily" replied her aunt; sfo,
feel sure that you will love each other.''
"We do that already, aunt" SAID Lily.
"Were Edward my brother, could not love
him more than do now.'
'"Your brother! Nonsense, Lily; affec
ton is unnecessary with me-" said the lady.
impatiently. "Your brother! Doyou fee!
Us a sister should to Edward Lyndhurs, ?'
"Auut," cried the girl as rosy flush
mounted to her temples ''aunt, aunt, what
can you mean? Edward is as much nv
brother as though he were one by blood"
'Foolish GIRL" cried Margaret Elmore.
| "Listen to me q moment: had you one
spark of womanly feeling you would not
need that should speak thus plainly; but.
rs il is, must put what any one else would
have understood before this into words,
that you may know my meaning. And op-
portunitv, such ns is seldom offered to a
fortuDeless girl like yourself lays before you.
Take advantage of it. You are beautiful
beauty alone can do much to win heart,
and your pathway is already prepared. In
other words, | would have you lady Of
Lyndhurst. When the young heir returns,
he will be fresh to the world. easily charm
ed and made captive. Lily, you must marry
him."
The blush Of true woman's pride crimson
ed Lily's cheeks, rs she replied, firmly
though respectfully. "When | said that
Edward was dear to me as n brother told
the simple truth and even were it otherwise,
no power on earth could induce me to pla,
and scheme in such a cause. He who loves
me must strive to win me. ! will never
stoop so low as to seek that which should
be proffered unsought. No, aunt, scarce
| ly thought you could believe me so abicct,
so unwomanly;" and Lily swept from the
apartment, and wandering out upon the
lawn, flung herself upon the grass beneath
the elm trees, where they had so often
swung together, and wept, she scarcely knew
why. The pure sls,erly affection Of her
soul had been sullied, and new phase OF
/ the human heart was unveiled to her. Lily
shuddered at the sight. Never, never again
she sighed, could she think Of Edward Lynd.
hurst as she used.
! 1t was Margaret Elmore's ustom to eke
cut hc, scun'y iucume by letting apartments
during the Summer months, to one or two
persons, who sought retirement and the
! fresh free air of Lyndhurst valley. This
Summer stranger, II young foreigner, dwell
| beneath her roof. He was n yoapg musi-
cian, walting-so he said-thc arrival OF
Autumn to commence u series Of concerts iu
the city.
Admiration, sympathy, every gentle feel.
ing awoke in Liy's heart when the stran-
gers low musical voice fell upon her ear;
and rs in each succeeding day some new
beauty Of mind or heart revealed itself
as she listened to the legends of far of
Italy or the songs which seemed born OF
sun and zephyr, Lily felt that she had me,
at last '.the other half of her soul.'
And Margaret Elmore never suspected the
truth, as the young musician wandered with
Lily down the moonlit lane, or woke the
twilight echoes with the musical wa,ing Of
the magic violin. She knew her niece to be
in full possession Of her senses, and she
could never have reconciled this knowledge
with such strange absurd idea rs that OF
loving poor unknown young stranger
And the stn.ely lady looked forward to the
young heirs returning with fond assurance
of the completion Of her scheme. The hour
was fast approaching. Autumn's hand
had bronzed the gay green leaves of Sum
mer. and the freshness was passing from
earth's brow. The time appointed for the
young stranger, Albert Alden's departure,
drew near also.
Cold and gray lay the cloud drifts on the
horizon, and the wind moaned miserably
along the road, whirIip: the sere leaves Of
the old forest path before its chilly breath.
Albert and Lily stood together at the cot.
tage door looking toward Lypdhurst Hall.
SLOW rapidly the picture now before US
has changed within the last month - said
Lily.
..The flowers are gone, the trees are al
m ost naked, and soon the snow will lie deep
Iy in the valley. How soon the Summer
passes!'
"IIow soon all that makes life ha' pv flies,
! renlied Albert, with sigh. "These hours,
which have been to me the gladdest Of nv
| life, are fieeting fast with the last breath Of
Summer. Another week and | shall be
alone in the city's peopled solitude. and
| YOU. Lily, will perhaps have forgotten me-"
Lily shook her head, and tear trembled
| on the silky lash which kissed her crimson
cheek. 81 shall not forget" che whisper
ed so softly that her words we're scarcely au-
dible.
Albes. took her hand. She did not With
draw it. lie passed his arm around her. be
| drew her closer to him, "Liy, angel of my
| life,, he whispered, 81 cannot leave you
until hase told you Of my love. nv adora-
you. | have worshipped you. Oh. Lilly,
had bot wealth or fame to lay a, your feet,
we're the heir Of yopder stately mansion;
or a prince, that | might raise ycu to a
throne, that without shame might ask you
| 10 share ny life. And even now, Lily, poor
and unk nown as ! am, have dared to hope
| that you will smile upon me. Lily. dearsst,
will you be the light of my lonely life, ths
main spring Of every pure or noble thought
nv bosom cherishes? Lily, sweet Lily, will
you be nv wife:"
A moment more and he had claspsd her
to his lips. forge,sul Of the whole world be-
.des. The bliss of whole world seemed
centered 10 tha, instant.
Suddenly. without warning, Margaret FL.
more stood before them, her eyes flashing
wi,h anger. She spoke harshly, she gre~
almos, coarse in hrr uphraiding. She de.
bounced the young musician as n traitor and
an impos.er. and, concentrating all he'
wrath in the usterance Of one word. sht
called him beggar, and bade him leave
her threshold instantly.
moment Albert bent above the srenb'
=