Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-07
A TORS ELECT.
BY VIRGINIA r. TOWNSEND.

Tedllg uuSlCdi 90 II uIOpo dRdluoI the pdQeS.
She had pushed low ottoman to his feet, end
throwing herself on this, lifted her sweet fsce,
set in its framework Of brown soft hair, toler
brothers.
$50 you have at last caught me, and intend
turning my confessor-do you, little sis !''
smilingly responded the young clergyman, as
be turned his eyes from the anthracite blaze
where they had been dresmily fastened for the
last half hour, and beautiful, almost dreamy
tenderness seemed to drift into them as they
rested on his sister.
Yes; TO think you are really engaged Wei.
dom What would your parishioners say if they
knew 1t, particularly the younger portion Of
them / am somewhat spprehensive their
dsfly bequests Of bouquets and fruits would be
sensibly diminished. But about the lady-is
she beautiful, Weldon?"
"A Wonan's first query" and again that
rich smile went like sunlight over the grave
but handsome features of the young pSs'o-
. am not certain, Hattie, whether an artist
would think her So. Her features are not en-
tiEely regular, and her cheeks are less rosy
than your own; but the emotions of her deep,
gentle, loving nature look out Of her deep blue
eyes, and there Is sweet heart chirography in
the smiles that sparkle at times ever her small
and rather pensiye mouth"
You are drawing charming Raphael pic
ture, brother mine She is young, of course ?"
Hardly twenty-one."
And-no, need not ask if her mind Is
well cultivated, for / know your opinions re-
specting women too well to doubt this But
is she intellectual-in short, book worm"
We'll, something of one. The formation Of
her head indicates q superior mental organi-
ton, but all the faculties are well balanced" +"
"An1-let me see-is she wealthy?"
Only in the possession of those great jewels
which are above all price,
q But her family-who are they2"
II never saw but one member Of it, and be
was a beggar."
Weldon ;" The little fingers that had
been playfully braiding themselves with those
of the young mans were suddenly withdrawn;
the quick blood flashed into the questioner's
cheeks, and look Of mingled astenishment
and displeasure filed her brown eyes as she
breathlessly ejaculated-
Weldon, you are not in earnest"
. Yes, am Hattie; You know would not
Jest on such subject"
But you took me so greatly by surprise
And-and"-
The little red lips trembled q moment. and
then the tears brimmed over the brown lashes
and journeyed slowly down the cheeks
And troubled you, too, Hattie?" interro-
gated the young man, as he leaned forward
and csressingly smoothed down the bright
hair Of his sister. "Don't look so sorrowful,
darling, as though some great evil had chanced
me. Bat listen to what shall tell you, and
then see If your own true and noble heart,
unbiased by social distinctions and prejudices,
does not commend my election. Will you do
said that the poor and the rich were alike in
His sight ?"
Sweet Hattie MARSHALL Her one great foibIe
was her pride for her handsome, noble-hearted
brother; il was hardly a weakness for he was
all that God had left to her of the household
over whom the spring daisies had long spread
their golden covering; and for a msment she
had looked with the worlds eye upon his be-
trothsl to the sister of a mendicant But her
brothers words had silenced the Bride-whis-
pers in her heart, for Hattie Marshall had
learned Of Him who was meek and humble in
spirit.
Il will do as you ask, Weldon. Forgive me
if l have done wrong" she whispered, draw
ing up closer to her brother, aud laying her
head in its old resting place against his heart;
for very tenderly did brother and sister love
each other.
Weldon Marshall drew his arm around his
sisters waist, and then, when the rain moaned
and the wind muttered around the windows,
and the anthracite hre mingled its ruddy glow
with the silver astral light, and filed the par
Sonage sitting -rsom with q dreamy crimson
light, he told q story Of the past, and his eyes
grew darker, and his low earnest tones full of
pathetic eloquence as he told it. --.-.
Ii Is eight years next month, Hattie, and /
was in New York, engaged in my collegiate
studies. You see it was three years after our
mothers death, and you were q. that time
with uncle Harvard, attending school
Ii was cold, wild, disagreeable night-ard
l remember standing at the window of my
snug sanetum, and looking out ruefully into
the darkness, for had an engagement to meet
several Of my felloW-students that evening in
distant portion Of the city. =
dear me, how the wind bloWsi" soliIo-
QuiZed, with a very feminine shrug Of the
shoulders, as drew the curtain closer. "I've
half q mind to throw myself on the lounge,
which looks so proYOkingly comfortable this
evening, and not attempt an encounter with
the elements. It's absurd to think they'll
expect me such a night as this In short. /
Won't tempt an inhuenZa by showing my face
outside the dosr," was the conclusion Of my
moDologue.
IIsmember that wheeled up the sofa in
comfortable proximity to the FIRE, located the
lamp 50 that its rays fell softly upon the volume
/ intended to communicate with, and that I
had settled myself for long quiet winters
evening.
But i would not de. Ny eyes wandered
llstlessly along the passages; they could not
engage my attention. strange unaccounta-
bic feeling Of restlessness and anxiety seemed
10 possess me. At last resolutely closed the
book, and few minutes later was in Broad
way, mentally censuring my folly in yielding
to feeling could net resist.
All me. looking back through the eight
yeArS that lie between that weary night and
the present, how clearly can I discover the
great Fathers love in It all -r-
What is 1t you want here, little boy,'-I
see him now just as though had seen him this
morning, and the light from tie tall window Is
falling on him jRst as il fell then, revealing
his ragged dress and pale, pinched features,
and the cold rain is dripping of his thick
brown curls just as IL did then. 1t Is strange,
mournful picture-the dark ground in the
background, and the little ragged boy, and the
brilliant lights, and the great store, with all
sorts Of rare confections, in front. No wonder
IL touched my heart. The boy started as 7
laid my hand gently on his shoulder, and look
ing up with his wild, eager, bright eyes into
my face
"Oh, SIR" be said, after moments earnest
perusal Of my features. 60 was thinking If
only could carry one Of those cakes home to
Ellen; she is very sick. and-and (the little
fellows lips quivereD We haven't had anything
to eat for two days" ,1-z--
did not speak smother word; but caught
hold Of the child, and pulled him after me into
I.