The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-10
Lucy Arnold's Lovers.

Lucy ARNOLD AOVoTs'
at shall not be so! will not listen to tl" exclaimed
Mr.. Arnold.
Hush, hush, James'' said his wife. THAT is enough
You shall speak to Lucy"
Strange to say this concession the part OF the last
named person had the desired effect that of quetng the
passion of the former. It not always Mr.. Ar
mold was man of ungovernable temper, domestic
tyrant, Unsuitable to the last His will was law, and net
to be disputed for moment. No matter how trifiing
might be the subject how slight its influence upon his
personal comfort orinconvenence it enough that he
expressed his views i'll regard to it. Mr.. Arnold sue
sumbed not from principle oftentimes-rom dread OF
being overrued-trom desire to reign supremacy over
his household HI was not a selfish man. 1t was not
that his wishes interered with but that his rights
invaded, and his supremacy threatened Fortunate
was for his domestic peace that he married one of the
gentlest creatures upon earth Mrs Arnold, poor SOUL
had no end of trials and troubles To use her own
presson she had gone through life hushins and it is
no wonder if found her existence almost burden. Mr.
Arnold boasted of his Indifference to womans influence
while every fibre and shoot grace in bis wes nature
stunted and subdued by contract with his coarser
self She who might have been social ornament in
her little circle of friends nothing more than
domestic drudge; all evidences Of her original self, all
manifestations of her Hent Sweetness Of disposition,
being confined to few quiet remarks, generally con
eerniEg the comfort OF another. Lucy Arnold was like
her mother only in appearance. Not that she I'M
amlable, but she far from gentle-a high strung
spirited GIRL who reyoted against her fathers tyranny
in manDer that set the parental authority at defiance
Scarce eighteen years OF age, at the time OF which
write, her mind and feelings those Of much oluer
woman She was seltrelant, firm and reSolute-almost
ungOVernabe, by their persuasive gentleness OF
love Educated at home-having been absent from it
but little during her lifeshe was free from the wear
some artitcialty OF the MORE accomplished women OF
society. For her to think to speak. Simple and
aress to fault, her voice and speech was natural
, as the soft summer wind it whispered among the
Golden pft which
rounded the cottage where her eyes first opened to the
light.
The home of the Arnods looked upon the quiet street
Of quiet little town in the central part Of New or
not far distant from small bat prosperous city. SO
still and peaceful it there that might imagine 1t
to be always Sunday save from the sharp ring of the
backsmiths hammer it breaks the repoSe of a week
day The house, to outward appearances, is small and
very unpretendng. The roof sants abrupt fashion,
to few inches Of the front windows and ends where
porch-oyerhung with a vine Of hQneysucke-attords
delicious shade at all hours of the day, so cool and
dense that where the sunlight struggles through seems
like spots of FURNISHED gold making mosaic work of
checkored splendor. The stoop is low-two steps-and
your hand rests upon the gate of the garden tence-an
irregular. leaning mass around the base Of which the
grass and flowers tangle themselves in Wild fond way
if they would support its growing infrmies out of
love for the protection it has afforded them The gate
and fence surmounted by wooden urns, most of
which to haze weared of portion of their indi-
yidual seees and to have parted company iii very
sensible and philosophical way. Surrounding the house
in front and at the sides large and vigorous naples
which shut in from the view if they feared to have
its modest beauty stared at by the world outside Such
is Lucy Arnods place such it when last
it. She is faded and Old but in her youth you
might have observed the influence which her home and
associations had bad upon her. you ght have seen the
sunshine of the place reflected in her SMILE and heard
the gleetu sound of the wind in her voice aud laugh
Alas, what changes do we fnd
| And James Arnold spoke to Lucy, as his wife had
said not gently as father should but in the tone of
command bidding her give up all thoughts of one whom
her young heart had chosen and whom she loved with
| all the devotion of an unselfsh nature.
! The eye of the brave girl flashed, her lips quivered.
'Never long life lasts" She spoke nothing reply
but nwardly She resolved that rather than Weld in this
! one thing, she would give up every other-home-
friends ;l-she would teach, work slave rather than
resign the hope Of one day becoming the wife of Leon
ard Grant.
Mr. Arnold, although nc one knew his daughters
better than he secretly believed in her ultimate
conformity to his desires As to Leonard Grant, he
had no particular dslike-neyertheess he considered
him fit match for Lucy. The Arnolds of great
family. The greater number Of them were wealthy, not
excepting Lucys father were comparatively poor, and
consequently all the more proud and desrous of com
petng with those of their relatives with whom fortune
had been more ndugent The mother of Leonard Grant
was a second cousin to Mrs Arnod-ths was another
objection in James Arnolds mind to his marriage with
Lucy although there were few instances in which one
of the family had married outside of it, Not only was
Mr. Arnold sure of entire and perfect in all his
plans, but he had even fixed upon husband for his
/ daughter,
+ There was a suspicion of this in the minds of both
Leonard Grant and Lucy they stood conversng under
the shadow Of the naples evening in October. 1t
was the first time they had since her father bade her
relnquish ell thoughts Of him as her future husband.
| "Lucv" said Leonard, und the young mans voice
trembed with suppressed emotion, "can it be that be
means you shall marry"-Leonard Grant paused ere he
uttered the name-t hateful TO him now, and
his tongue refused to utter it.
81 have reason to suppose So answered Lucy, with
out waiting for him to finish the question. "1e has
called here more frequently than would wish since his
! return"
/ "And you will not"
'LeoDard!" interrupted his companion "do you sup
pose me capable OF marrying one do not ove Marry
man because of his wealth. Do You suppose me capa-
BILE of such reachery to you and myself No. Leonard;
| will be faithful to you in DEATH
The wind sobbed i'll the trees above them, and scat
tered the dead leaves upon the grass. 1t was capri
cous titfui night, with guests that broke inter
walls after long and breathlcss Stiffness like burst OF
grief that forces itself from the heart
eIucy!" said stern voice from the doorway u wish
you to come in at once The tone was enc Of stern
command 1t not request, but harsh brutal
order The girl stood firm, and moved not to turn
her face toward the speaker As the light from window
fell upon 1t, her dark flashing eye and compressed lip
revealed plainly the feeling that caused her proud bosom
to heavc and her brow to flush.
"Lucy." still she moved not, but looked defanty at
the speaker who stepped from out the doorway and
took her roughly by the The leaves fell faster and
the wind moaned louder among the branches.
James James. said the voice of Mrs. Arnold from
within. Her husband heard it not, released hi:
hold when the form Of Leonard Grant thrust between
him and Lucy.
''Who are you, sir, that you interfere to set my
authority at Defiance" demand Mr.. Arnold.
Leonard Grant made reply; but, taking the trem
bling girl in his arms carried her into the house iur
riedly pressing his lips to her forehead, he took hi
departure silently, passing Mr. Arnold at the door.
His way lay past the village, along quiet lane, anC
and across fields that bordercd deep ravne, through
which a swift torrent roared and tpmbed over rock
into deep dark pools where swinging round in rapi(
and dark circles it plunged again other rock
and into other pools-roaring, kissing, swelling, anC
foamng, as if possessed by legion of demons Leon
ard Grants mind was busily thinking over what hat
passed but few short moments before. 1t appeare,
like ugly dream from which he had just awoke.-
Across the fields he heard the wild stream dashing
believing out the night, seeming to sympathse in it
unrest with the turbulent nature Of his thoughts.
He stepped slowly, nor raised his head to look abou
bin, while the dark sky above woven with drifting
broken fragments Of cloud, through which the pa'