Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-04-12


sion, / was still more unfortunate. Ina mo.
ment of confidence, got him to attempt to sing
q verse, for the foolish idea possessed me that
he really had musical talents. forget by
what device / trapped him, but remember dis
tinctly his failure was so decided that | laugh
ed right out. From that moment he would not
bear any allusion to Hetty Bnford,o his former
relations with her; and loved him too sim
|cerely, and was too sorry fer the unhappiness
knew he suffered, ever to advert to the sub
ject.
And how was it with Hetty herself2 To the
world she was as gay as ever; nay,if anything
more SO but who possessed the key to her
thoughts, as it were, who watched her closely
could detect something forced in her manner,
and an unwonted asperity and sarcasm in her
tone. With me, when by ourselves, size was
natural, though less gay but she never men-
toned Albert's name, nor,much as | loved and
admired them both, did dare to intefere.--
True, I was good deal with her, and watched
her with jealous care, and she seemed to be
thankful for my attention, and to regard me as
a brother.
The estrangement had taken place not long
before vacation, and Albert had gone away. On
his return, he seemed TO have lost his taste for
society and became hardsr student than ever.
Two months more passed, and the winter set
in. There was much gayety in the little town
where we were, but it was seldom my friend
would Join in it. Once on the occasion of q
brilliant party, to be given at the splendid res
idence of Gen. Buford, Hetty's father, which
was about q mile from town, and that once on
ly, did Hetty aliude to him.
Will you be so good as to say to your friend
Mr.. Kline, that We win be happy to see hims
said she to me in such quiet, matter of course
way that could only bow acquiescence.
conveyed the invitation, and was somewhat
surprised when Albert exclaimed cheerfully -
swell, Jack, will certainly go with you; l
feel like little relaxation.
The party was magnificent one, and every
body seemed to enjoy it il the highest degree.
Albert and Hetty met calmly and politely, as
the commonest acquaintauces might. We had
dancing. and music, and song, alternately
After a quadrille, there was group near the
piano. listening TO duet; as it finished, one Of
the performers, d sprightly girl with whom Al
bert had danced, arose. and turning to him, ex-
claimed. in tone half miseheivous, half play.
ful :--
Obi now this IS such love of party, MIR.
Kline, and we only lack one thing more to make
it perfection
And what is that, Miss Sally
A song from Mr.. Kline.
O yes song from Mr.. Kline Do, Mr..
Kline, exclaimed half a dozen voices. And inn
stantly there commenced those teasing entreats
les which girls know SO well how to employ
Some of them were in earnest, supposing he re-
ally sang, and others were only having jest.
looked at Albert and was astonished to find
he was so little annoyed under the circumstan-
ces. True, there was slight flush on his brow
and rather q troubled look in his eye, but he
did not manifest the signs of displeasure which
expected. next turned to Hetty, who was on
nv arm. she seemed mortified and vexed.
Do come away, said she to me; don't like
it at all, it is too bad, exposing him so.
There was q conservatory adjoining the par.
lor. and, sympathizing with her feelings / led
her there. it was the first time any opening had
occnrred for me to broach the subject, and L
determined to avail myself of it; but it required
some resolution TO begin, and while was pre-
pairing, and Hetty was nervously pulling to piec-
es the leaves of a rich plant, there was sndden
silence among the chatterers in the parlor which
attracted the attention of Us both. Then the keys
of the piano were struck by bold and skillful
hand. and the tones of a rich and manly voice
swelled through the roola. At its very first acs
cents Hetty started as If shot, and then, with
lips apart, and pale cheek, and eyes distended,
she listened as If her very soul lived only IN the
sounds.
tt was ballad of the olden tines--I have
forootten the words, but not the subject.--It
REPRESENTED bright and beautiful lady, pos
sesaed of wealth, and love, and high degree,and
all that thehuman heart could seemingly desire,
but cursed with an unsats6ed disposition. She
sends her knight on various perilous enterprl-
SEES 10 secure some trifiing object OF her fancy,
which is discarded as soon as obtained. At last
he is brought wounded and apparently dying to
her feet, holding in his grasp, nevertheless, the
trophy which she had coveted. His hdelity,
and the touching language in which he address
ed her-loyal, and loving, without murmur
of reDroacil-awaken remorse in her bosom, land
kneelipg by his side, she vows the severest pens
ance for her fault, and the most ample amend
ment If he rec overs. Whether he did so or not
the ballad most provokingly left as In doubts
but there was pathos in the poetry, and
magic in the singers voice, that left few dry
ewes among the auditors. AS for Hetty, the
bright drops rolled down her paild cheeK, ana
her slight form conVulsed with emotion. | dar-
ed not obtrude word, though, ere the song
ceased, had passed my arm around her waist
To supnort her, and her head had fallen In grief
on a brothers shoulder.
For few seconds, all was silent, except the
poor girls low sobs, then form approached l
knew right we'll / beckoned him to me, and
gently yielding up my charge, ] hurried away
to the parlor to enjoy the wonder fthe guests
my own was full as great-and to cover the
retreat of my friend.
But YOU deceived me, Albert; you are mu-
sician, said Hetty, gazing fondly on him. as be
knelt before her.
No. dearest, have learned it in the past few
months for your sake. At first was proud and
resentful, then better feelings conquered, and |
determined in some manner to atone for my
fault. In Cincinnati, where went on bniness
dnring vacation, | met an old friend and ooun-
tryman of my fathers; he saw that was uns
ha,oy. and questioned me; frankly confessed
to him the whole cause; he smiled and assured
me- that there were few persons who could not
attain some degree of excellency in music If
thew would only take pains, land that in my case
there WAS scarcely doubt of success. | caught
eagerly at the idea, and during the whole vaca-
t;on received his instructions, and he is a
master in the science. Since my return to col
lege. / have devoted every leisure holr to the
studies he pointed out, and my success has been
indiferently good.
knight, did be die9
No, they lived long and happy together:
His recovery, like my metamorphosis, was
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