Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-06-19
in the old time of the fairies, and that
might have one wish!"
"And what would that be?" inquired her

"That we might change situations with ont
another: that you could have all the wealth
and I be poor girl, blessed only with you
affections Claude, should feel no humilia
ton, no gratitqde-in receiving all from you
for love would have equalized us!"
III fear that your creed is rather q theoret
ical than practical one, my own Lestelle I!
said Aubertin, with mournful smile.
off could but convert you TO its belief,
think should have nothing left to wish for 7
replied the young girl, in whisper and there
was no shade upon the open brow Of her lover
as he mingled in the brilliant throng with hi!
beautiful and devoted mistress:
The evening passed away as evenings dc
when we are most happy; for, with oil it,
heartburnings, its disappointments-oeca
stoned, perhaps, by the absence or coldness o
the only one amidst thousand for whom We
have dressed and smiled-a ball is bright
epoch in the lives of the young.
Z" 1 shall see you tomorrow, Claude Z" said
Lestelle, in timid voice, as they stood to.
gether waiting for her carriage to draw up.
"Of course" replied Aubertin, gloomily
at have received formal invitation to meet
your guardians and the notary, to sign the
deed relative to the final settlement of your
property
at will soon be over!" said Lestelle, laying
he7 hand imploringly upon his arm. And
will you bear this trial for my sake, Claude ?''
"My sweet Lestele! but will make nc
promise. You shall see how patiently | will
listen to NJ. Fradel;s arrogant tauuts, and how
humbly and gracefully / will conduct myselfP
"Claude n interrupted Eestelle, almost
tearfully, "you are speaking now in bitter
ness and mockery ?'
"No, en- cerite!'" replied her lover, laugh
ingly. But goodnight now, my Lestelle,
and God bless you'll"
He relinauished the hand be held. and as
the carriage whirled rapidly away, the smile
faded upon his lips, and he walked home in
moody thoughtfulness.
It was severe trial for the good spirit OF
Claude Auber'in, much as he loved Lestelle,
to consent to owe everything 10 her-to sub
iect himselfto the mortifyiDg surmises Of those
who Judged of him by their own worldly and
perverted tmaginaiions. And there were
times when he almost determined to give her
up forever, although the destruction of his
own peace and hers should be the conse-
quence; while at others be thought OF doing
something to prove himself worthy of her
love. But name and fortune are not very
easily obtained in these days, even by the
most talented and in the interim thousand
things might happen. Lestclle might grow
old-or dieI-or she might cease to love him
for the heart has its changes and its seasons
none of which, however, resemble its first
freshness and purity. The attachments OF our
girlish days may last through womanhood,
and even to old age itself; but every year we
live, more of earthly feeling, more of the
worlds wisdom, will have mingled in our
dream Of love, until it becomes less unsetish
less ,ideal--more rational perhaps, hut less
passionate and devoted. And who could be
sure that the faith of one so beautiful and ad-
mired as the young Reress would be pre-,
served pure aid unbroken through trial
and tenn mptation, amidst ambition and aattery,
and with him, to whose protection she had
cIung so confidently, absent for an unlimited
period in q foreign land? Woman's fidelity
is proverbial but after all we are but mortal,
and
Look through the world, and truth you will find,
That once out Of sight you are saon out'of mind.
1t was all very we'll in the days of old,
when, on the departure of the true knight,
the constant fair one would shut herself up in
her lonely tower, oul Of the reach of temp,a-
ton, and, surrounded only by her maidcns,
employ the very interval in listening to the
noble deeds OIL his ancestors, and embroider-
ing a gorgeous scarf to present him on his re
turn; but in these days of Balls, festivals, and
bcaux, the young a6iancee las much harder
trial-ard VIC seriously advise the lover not
to be absent longer than nc can help.
The following day, Auberiin found the whole
party drawn up to receive him. NJ. Fradel
occupying his large arm chair at the head of
table covered with >parchments, and NJ. Du-
mont, the notary-a hard-fcatured, cold, me-
thodicaf-looking being-seated at his right (;
while, on the opposite side, Lestelle sat with
her elbow resting on the table and her head
bent down; and as she slightly raised it on
the entrance of her lover, he saw that her
Dyes were red and swollen from excessive
weeping. Having bowed to the gentlemen,
and pressed the cold, trembling hand of Les
tcllc to his lips. be sat down and waited calm.
ly for NJ. Fradel to commence the business
that had brought them together.
"You are aware, NJ. Aubertin," said the
old gentleman, at length, "that my ward is
very young, and that, in accepting you for her
future husband, she acts contrary to my
wishes, and demonstrates the natural wiliui-
ness of her sex?"
"All this is not new to me-" replied the
young man, while he stole an arch look at
Lestelle, who was watching him in breathless
anxiety.
"Well, then, we may as well come to the
point at once; without my consent your mar:
riage cannot take place until Mademoiselle
Vernev is of age-a period Of which it wants
nearly three years /; and your signing this
deed, by which the whole of her property is
settled unalicnaLly upon herself, without civ
Ing any one else power to draw or dispose Of
one son Of it, is the only condition on which
the hand of Lcstelle shall be yours"
a crimson flush passed over the cheek and
brow of Claude Aubertin, and there was q
monents pause, during which the keed glance
OF tue ola nun, tuc Coiu SCiuIuy Va tuc NV"
ry, and the pleading eyes Of the anxious girl
were Fixed eagerly upon his face. The strug
Gle, however, was but OF short duration and
with cheerful smile he held out his hand
for the paper, and, glancing rapidly over its
contents instantly affixed his name.
at is we'll !" said NJ. Fradel, .complacently
Now, Mademoiselle."
The hand Of the young girl trembled SO
violen.l II that Aubertin was obliged to guide
it F; and when the signature was at length com.
pleted, she flung herself upon his bosom, and
wept long and rdssionately. Even the notary
was moved into something like sympathy
and, gathering up his papers,. he hastened tc
follow his patron from the room, and leave
the lovers at full liberty to give vent to their
feelings: 5ut regard for the timid and weep
-; ,,,bo clnnr to hin, on fnpdtv and i'm