The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-06-03
[Fron Saturday Night
9 Q n S T * II T
BY RApHAELLA.

BY RApHAELLA.
TO be with hiia always-to love him-live
for him-die for him, if need bs-that was
the crown Of her girlhood's hopes, the brown
eyed bride said to herself, as she stood at the
altar.
She had been taught from infancy that
there was but one man on earth for her. Ed
gar Sulier and her conventua seclusion had
been one long, golden dream Of the loving,
lovely days to come, when her ideal made
real should claim her for his own.
She had not seen him before since she was
fifteen until this, her marriage morning but
the lovers betrothed from their earliest wears.
had been allowed to correspond, and Edgar
mother, who came twice year ia tho con
vent to see her orphan heiress protege cher
sons bctrothed), brought always some charm
ing bJou Of a gifi, and glowing description
Of Edgar's perfection.
So brave, 50 noble, SO generous, SO proud,
SO worthy Of Els honorable name.
ellis honorable name" passed stainless,
and held above the level Of common utter
ancc BY many successive sires and sons, this
was the idol Of the lady in dead black, lust
reless silk, who gave Rene gracious kisses,
one to each cheek, end exsusitely favored
bon bons twice year.
Her soa's name and prospects were the
sole cherishsnent Of Madame Suffers dead
black silk hoaom, aud SIDE brought it to pass
that this one name vas written, as With let
ters Of gold described upon futtering ori
~, f,,rs \ Al
girl.
Withia the shadow Of the gray, convent
towers she dreamed all q maiden's happy
dreams. The warm wind stole through the
ivy-jalsused easements opening upon the gar
| den. and fiuttered the leaves of the misty orz
entail religious rolhances, filed to OVERLOOKING
With the iervent spirit of martyrs and warr-
ors Of the crusadeS; the heat and sploador Of
! the East in the stored page, and the tender
/ palpitation Of LIES dawn shimmerng with
molten dew and ,usty fire in the heart Of the
beautiful reader
Far of, beyond thege deep arcades and
vine-hung -bowers-heyond tse marble angels
! in the court yard, whose wings whirled tire
crystal spray of cool, clear fountains beyond
the roseoraors of the convent gsrden-be-
yond the south wall glowing with it's sun
drunk wealth Of purple grapes-away and
from afar came the hum and throb Of the
worlds machincEy Of life.
Rene heard it often with thrill, saying
Gle is there-he waits for me!o
In her fayori'el books she chose fro,a each
dear hero his bcstanl brayest virtue, and Gull
ing them one BY one as she would gather
heafts-ease and roses to make houqust tt
place at the feet Of the blessed Virgin, shs
put each bright attribute by each, and in he
ipmost heart bestowed them upon-Fdga
Sulier.
4 And every portrait Of eartA's best ant
most glorious manhood she ansyzed to Gns
features fitting. or likenng them to him i,
her simple thinking. AT chapel, while tn
white incense whirlei, soaring like the silver,
cloud wings Of angels over. transspt and als
While the One Light glit.orsl pieTcip!
bright, Fixed star far above all clouds
while the warning voice Of thu sweet toned
altar bell rang treinulous upon the fragrant
/ heavy air, and the hidden choir Of shroude'
sisters sang with tenderness not Of earth
sang music Ike spoken tears-Rone ben
/ her yelled head to the stone pave and be;s
her breast, canfessing her faults, but prayin
tor him most constantly.
He was an officer in the til corps-Ed
gar Sulier-a yoatng officer what viii nc
wealth and influence avail in tho eyes Q
''reverend, grave and potent" seniors, wher
the sole crime of youth calls for atoneaeGt
Suffers rank was high.
His regiment received marching orders
and his mother fastened his wedding day.
Edgar at first demurred.
ut was unfair to both, he told his mother
shat they should wed, knowing SO little til
one Of another. Rene might prove the mos
arrant coquette, the most urtamable It'll
shrew in life"
Irene was Ylrtuous convent girl, an
her religion would not LET her stray" tn
mother said, determinately.
""But SO much virtue and beauty might be
come disguised with his mere mundanity !!
he persisted.
Creme loved him heart and soul already,
the unansWearabe mother returned.
Edgar could not understand how she couI
love one whom she had never seen. He con
pretended love only as a passion-wedde
love was pure passion, but it was only that
and how could passion exist without the mas
netic thrill of actual presence, without tt
seal and sanction Of the sense Of sight
+ least? Rene had not seen him since his bo
hood. How could she know what manner
man be was to levs
He did not know a girls heart, a girl
: impracticable but earnest thoughts Lo1
with a young man (amoag the average) ar
love with . young girl (amdng the yirtuou
are two very different things. The girl bull,
for herself fabric Of dreams, furyshed vii
teyery fine attribute Of will ard courage
"a, li.i.. .-alLIIuulx OF VIII .iiiu c.tnIut :