The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-04-29
CHAPTER ~.

Our kinsman: !. had been easily per-
suaded to remain with, Us 9 week, and
charming week it had been to al Of
US. He had visited all the West, In7
dia Islands, and the most interesting
portions Of England and the Cont
nent. My grandfather, who. as the
commander Of his own merehapt.ship,
hand formerly: visited many foreign
countries, was delighted to refresh his
recollections of distant scenes, and to
live over again his adventures:by sea
and land. The conversation of our
guest. with his uncle was richly in
structive and entertaining; for he
had a lively appreciation Of national
and individual character, and could
illustrate them by a world Of amusing
anecdote. The old veterans early
fondness for his nephew revived in
full force, and his enjoyment was al
loyed only by the dread of*a new sep:
aration. "What shall I do when you
are gone, Harry!" was his frequent
exclamation and then he would sigh
and shake his head, and wish he had
one son left.
But the richest treat for my aunt
and me was reserved till the late
evening, when the dear patriarch had
retired to rest. Those warm, ba]my
nights on the piazza, with the moon
light .quivering Through the vines, and
turning the terraced lawn with fan:
tastic mixture Of light and shadow
into a fairy scene, while the .cultivat-
ed traveller discoursed Of. all. things
beautiful in nature and art, were full
of witchery. Mont Blanc at sunrise,
the wild scenery of the Simplon, the
exhumed streets; Of Pompeii, the Co.
losseum by moonlight. those wondrous
galleries of painting and sculpture Of
which. I had read. as I had read
Of the palace of :.'.Aladdin
and the gardens of the. genii, ,-the
living man before me had seen all
these! I looked upon him. as an
ambassador from the world ef.peetry.
But even; this interested me less than
the tone of high. and, manly sentiment
by which his conversation. was per
vaded, the feeling "Reminiscences Of
endeared friendships formed in those
far-of lands,s the brief glimpees Of
deep SORROWS bravely. borne; and !
watched with \ sweet, sly pleasure
my aunt's quiet surrender to the old
spell.
ut makes me very happy, Kate? 2
said she one day, Ito have found my
cousin and friend again. I ami elad
to feel that friendships springing from
the pure and good feelings of the
heart are not so transient as 7 have
sometimes been tempted to think
them. They may be buried for years
under a drift of new interests: :, but
give them air, and they will live
again"
"What is that remark of Byron
about young ladies friendship :? Take
care, take care!" said I, shaking my
head, gravely; receive the wa arning
of a calm observer -..
"Oh, no, Kate ! this visit is but a
little green oasis in the desert. In a
day or two we shall, separate, prob
ably forever but both, I doubt not,
will be happier through life for this
brief reunion. His plan is to make
his future residence in France"
At the end Of the week our kins.
man left us for a fortnight's visit to
the metropolis. Intending to give u.
a call on his return south, he willing
ingly compile with our desire to- leave
his little girl with us. AS we were
sitting together in my aunt's room af
his departure, the child brought hel
a small packet which her father had
intrusted to her. II believe
said the little smile, "he ! said
it was story for you to read: Won'1
you please to read it to me?' Sht
took it with look Of surprise ahd
curiosity, and Immediately opened il
and began to read. But her color
soon began to vary, her hand trem
bled, and presently: laying down, 10y th'
sheets in her lap, she * 'et II lost ], j,
thought.