Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-03-29


more as she chung to his arm SO tnldy his noble
face expressed the pride he truly felt he looked
as If he would have swept back the scOrners will
one motion Of his hand, had they vcntured one
wave too high the shore of his pride. HI
seemed to every look, every word not il
strict conformity to etiquette; and Helens hear
beat high, and tears came to her eyes, when she
felt how noble heart she had won.
The young bride stood near her husband talk
ing iii low tone when new conner Appeared
She beautiful slightly formed creature Will
naughty features. I'LL concealed scorn urked il
the brilliant eyes whenever she glanced toward
Helen. Once she held sway over the heart OF
Fred. and hearing whom he had married, she fan
cied her time had come.
''Do you suppose she knows anything?" whis
pered a low voice near her.
Helens eye sparkled, her face flushed indignant
Ily. She turned to her husband. He was gone
speaking at a little distance with friend.
| ''Do you play, Mrs. Lane?' she asked. There
was mocking tone in her voice.
GA little answered Helen, her cheeks blush
'.And sing?''
81 little was the half reply,
''Then do us the favor" exclaimed Miss Som
mers looking aslance at her companions.
Come, myself will lead to the instrument
Hark whose mastery touch Instantly was
the half spoken word arrested, the cold and
naughty head were turned in listening surprise
Such melody Such correct intonations Such
breadth, depth, and vigorous touch Who is she
She plays like angel
| And again hark 4 voice rolls-a flood of
melody clear powerful, and passing sweet; aston
lshment gives many fair cheek deep scarlet
There is deep silence unbroken and the silver
strHins float up:
''Aye care not for cold neglect
Though tears unbidden start,
And scOrn is but a bitter word,
Save when it breaks the heart.
II one be true,
Ii one be true,
The world may careless be,
Since may only keep my love-
And tell my grief to thee
''Glorious voice = said Fred, to his friend who
with the rest had paused to listen.
''Who can She"
Ghe words suddenly arrested on his lips.
She turned from the piano, and the unknown was
his wife .....,
''I congratulate you, Fred, said the young man
at his side, but he spoke to marble. The color
had left his cheek. He walked slowly toward
her
Ii he spcechless with amazement, SO was
not she. A rich bloom mantled her cheek tri-
umph made her eyes sparkle they never did be-
fore they flashed like diamonds. A crowd gath
cred to compliment her In graceful acknow-
edgement she blended wit and humor
''How we'll she talks; who would have thought
it :" ''Hc has found treasure, whispered
all around the room.
Meanwhile, Frederick Lane stood like one en-
chanted while his little rustic wife quoted books
with perfect abandon, admired this One con-
demned that.
a sedate looking young student lost himself in
Latin quotation; Helen smillngly finished it,
and she received Il look of eloquent thanks. But
mOts repartee language rich, fancy and imagery,
fell from her beautiful lips if they had received
a touch from some fury hand.
Still Frederick walked by her side like one in a
dream, pressed his hands over his bewildercd eyes
to be of his senses when he saw her bending,
breathing vision of loveiness, over the harp, her
full arm leaning on its golden strings heard again
that rich voice, now plalntive with some tender
memory, rise and fall in sweet and soTowful
dence.
'',rell me, he said, when alone, ''what does
this mean? [ feel like one awakened from
dream"
"Only Il country girl, - said Helen, then falling
into her husbands arms she exclaimed 'fOrgive
me, [ am that little rustic that you would sooner
die than wed. Are you sorry you married me?'
Sorry, my glorious wife. But, Helen, you
could not deceive. Did not understand you had
never --'
''Been at an academy" she broke in ''never
very true, and yet [ all you me here to-
igence, [ hope [ am worthy to be the wife of one
so good and exalted as [ find my husband to be-
Reader, wouldn't you and like to be there just
now and hear her story, and see the bright smiles
between, her pretty face and dimples, she tcli;
how she banished the piano. books, harp, portfo
lio, music all in an empty room by themselves
and locking the door, leaving them to seclusion
and dust, while the young country girl, without
any deep laid scheme, succeeded in convincing
the well bred city gentleman, that he could marry
a charming rustic, if her fingers more faml-
liar with the churn and knitting needles, than the
piano and books