The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-09-25

said: 'Itis not yet time" That was all,
and they passed ON. The viscount entered the
card room, and George walked out upon the
fowery terrace, where he had retired during
the waltz with Helene lie leaned against
the iron balustrade. oidl2.9i 4s.se
The weather was damp and warm. A sud-
den thaw had changed to mud the gray car
pet which covered the streets the. night be-
fore. 1t had rained all the evening, but now
stars shined with extraordinary brilliancy in
clear atmosphere, swept by the south wind
lso Who has not, when separating from be-
loved one, chosen star in the heavens, point
ed it out, and said cat this hour look at
that star, and will look at it. will think
OF yeu-you must think of mel" q
These are the sad consultations of absence.
The twinkling of the silent star speaks of
love.
| Once, at moment Of parting 1t was
long ago-George Leslie and she whom he
loved had promised to look at the north star
at ten 0 clock every night, and to exchange
greetings across the vast expanse of the
American continent. f,
! How many things had taken place since
then! How many dangers avoided How
many battles gained! How many tears, alas |
George Leslie looked at the star A tear
rolled down his cheek, and his heart stood
still
"Ellen!" he murmured; ftCarmel n
Thestar suggested to him these two names ::
the name Of one well baloved--the name Of
a sister. 5a .4i bss
He said one evening to Carmel, when Car
mel was his sister, and the fresh breezes of
the American plains mounted to his tower
lis the atmosphere clear ?" ado you see
the north star Of the Rio Gila 2" ss ias
And as Carmel answered, Il see it, ten
O'Clock sounded, and George heard the voice
of Ellen. From this time forward Carmel
looked at the star for her blind friend. s7
This is why the sight of the north star
brought two beloved names to the lips of
[ George-two fond membranes to his heart.
| Ellen Carmel!
Outside Of the balcony long line Of eoui-
pages was ranged ON the side of the street,
Most of the coachmen were asleep on their
seats. ~
| Georges attention was attracted by certain
words spoken under the balcony, and he sud
denly thought of the mysterious letters which
which marked half-past two. "
"O'Brien does not come" he murmured
"O'Brien wiU not come" said a woman's
voice in his ear.
George Leslie treinbled violently from head
to foot. A sudden perspiration broke out on
his forehead He did not turn around, but
| remained as if he were dreaming.
"AlberJ" resumed the voice, in an accent
Of grave melancholy? ''your thoughts are
far away from me, are they not ?" ssih
George still did not turn around; but his
two hands involuntary pressed his heart, as
if to still its beating
CARMEL he murmured, Gam l then the
victim of a vision 2" roe a
sAh y said the voice, which slightly trem-
bled, 'you have at least recognized me y
Carmel! Carmel!" cried George, amy
thoughts were not for away from you, because
my memory was recalling those who loved
me. Carmel, lido not dare to turn around,
for fear my vision will fade away. The spirit
is sometimes weak Idreamed of Ellen, and
it was not Ellen. Just now [ held in nv
arms pure and virgin heart. I feel born,
will not say born again, my young love-I,
who do not know how to love twice-as my
heart had been nothing but an illusion, The
day which is coming on will perhaps be my
last, Carmel, my benetactress and my sister
Is it you who are there ?-or shall l find, so
far off from the place where you were pre-
server, your living image, as / have found
the living image of Ellen p .,,5t.,aea,
He turned half way round, but his eyes
remained closed. By the open window lead
ing to the terrace the sounds Of the orches-
ira came, like the echo of some mysterious
harmony. Hg4 sii Se eis1I dSSI
His companion was silent He. gently
looked up.
s'You have called me Albert, as formerly"
he murmured ''What can / recognize in
you'll who was blind-except your sweet
voice and the noble emotions of your heart?
l do not say, show yourself to me, Carmel
but, in Gods name speak to me !"
She extended to him her beautiful white
hand George raised it to his lips, and kiss
ing it, said: el
ut is you! 1t is you'll Nv .ST
cit is" said Carmel AT the same time
She was precisely as Albert de Rosen had
imagined her: the carriage of queen, the
divine features ola Madonna, with the ardent
expression OF the QauSnLerS OF the Equator :;
for the Count Albert knew that Carmel was
born in Guatemala, under the fiery eye Of
tropical SUM- Hs"iaf 'ai oa5'
Thus she was Beautiful as the grandest
dream of "a poet f. ..sS.-,.e
The Count Albert was dazzled He recoil-
ed step, and joined his hands in eestaey.
Carmel! CARMEL" he stammered. "You
told me once 81 love YOU" los i'e's,s
The Duchess of Rivas sadly sighed.
Count" she said, ''my husband is the
noblest of men,"
"Your husband p repeated Rosen; chow
about our long conversation on the platform of
the tower You do not love me any MORE"
he murmured with sigh. ss6s3
"My husband knows that am here with
you" replied the duchess. Albert kept 81
lent
"Count, said Carmel, cit is not your heart
which speaks. The daughter of Ellen must
have mother, and Helene must be happy"
At the same moment they looked at each
other, and, without exchanging word, looked
also toward the heavens spril kled with dia-
| bl.o,, o1ord o,oo.loJ +ho ,o,tl,