Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1868-01-30

between us, and we may not write,
your heart and mine can never be
wholly severed. Trust me-trust
me, darling! fpr though years may
elapse, / will return, true to my
pledge to you. Will you keep the
little gold sprigs | ventured to
offer on your birthday, that some
thing of mine may be yours? Oh,
my darling, how l linger, dreading
| to write farewell! But it must
be done. Your resolution never
to marry clandestinely, commands
my respect, as your gentle sweet
ness has long ago won my love.
Heaven guide you, and keep you
from further sorrow! Till we meet,
pray for LAWRENCE" "
It was brilliant party that
Mrs. Haskins, the leader of fash
ion in Silverdale, gave to her re-
turned nephew. He had left home
struggling against fortune, and
depressed with knowledge of his
fathers large debts. Vainly striv-
ing to pay these, he had lived
close, dressed with economy, and
been we'll known as one upon
whom the iron hand of poverty
rested heavily. No farewell par
ty had been given when he an
nounced his intention of seeking
his fortune in q foreign land. His
relatives were rather glad to get
rid of him; and of all Silverdale,
but one voice had sent forth pray
ers for his safety, but one of all
his friends watched for his return.
| No word had come to any, till q
letter to his aunt had announced
his return after thirteen years
soiourn in Australia. All his IA
theirs debts were paid, and his
lawyer spoke of large sums invest
ed in various ways, so Mrs. Has,
kins consulted "her set" and the
result was the brilliant assemblage
which Laura and Bertha were to
honor, and where that ''little old
maid" their aunt, was to appear IN
society after ten years seclusion.
The hero of the evening had not
appeared when the trio, under the
escort of Mr.. Leslie, Bertha and
Laura's father, entered, but soon
movement towards the door an
nounced hissarrival: tall, distin-
guished looking man of thirty-6ve
or six, with finished manners and
well-modulated voice-a man to
notice in every circle, for the broad,
intellectual brow, and large honest
eyes that greeted yours; but now,
with the glitter of his wealth, a
man, Silverdale thought, to fall
down to and worship.
He had greeted his hostess, had
made nearly the circuit of the
room, bowling to new friends, greet
ing with warm cordiality his old
ones, when his eyes fell upon
a golden ear of wheat, resting upon
| a. broad braid of black hair. The
light that sprang to his eyes, the
smile upon his lips, carried such
deep peace to one heart, gave one
life of patient waiting such a new
spring of happiness, that the words
of polite greeting fell. upon ears
that scarcely heard them.
.True-true! Her trust repaid
her long constancy rewarded
No one else noted more than
the quiet greeting of old friends
but two hearts were full OF deep
Joy, rest after weary longing
Some of the guests were invited by
the returned Australian to house
warming, learning for the first
time that new mansion, the bull
ding and furnishing of which had
| long been source of speculation,
was to be the future home of Law
renee Lane.
Of course, everybody accepted
the invitation, and many a young
heart huttered at the thought that
SO splendid mansion must soon
need a mistress.
;. One week soon glided away
Aunt Fanny was very kind IN
helping to trim new peach-coiored
silks for the sisters; but there was
an odd smile on her lip when Law.
renee Lanes matrimonial pros.
/ poets. were discussed.
i A few days before the eventiul
!. night, Aunt Fanny, to her nieces
z surprise, went on a visit to some old
friends.