Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-04-17

and urged by M irresistible impulse
he was about to pour forth the story
Of his love; but the cup Of happiness
which had well-nigll touched his lips
had been dashed to the ground, lcav.
ing the pain md dcsolation Of his
heart greater than before; for he be-.
lieved now that her eyes had express.
ed only pity, not love, and that he,
heart was nnother's.
Hour utter hour he walked aimlessly
on until the moon sailed high In the
heaven above him; and atlast striking
into n cross road, still held on his way
Presently, however, something seemed
to arrest his steps, and looking up he
found himself once more before the
gate he had left in such bitterness Of
spirit hours before.
81 will take one more walk In the
grounds through which she has mar
bled!' he murmmured softly. ~ will
stand agai, in the little mbor where
we last hat together; and then fare.
web my darling farewell forever
and may the happinessbe yours which
is denied to me-"
With n0selcss hand he unfastened
the little gate, and directed his steps
towards the arbor.
A few moments he tarried TO gazc
lingeringly and sadly around him;
then, ns he turned to 60, something
cleaning IN the short grass at his feet
caught his eyes, and STOPPING, he
picked up u ring--. tiny sapphire
shining amid pearls - which had been
his first, his only gift to her, and be-
side itlay alittle book Of which he also
possessed himself.
"IIer ring, little darling" he whis-
pered; then looking toward the house,
buried IN quiet slumbcr, he added
Sand | must keep them until to-mor
row; il il too late to restore them now.
| dare not trust myself to 90; but
will make sure they reacl, her safely
and leaving the garden, tic walked
quickly on to his lodgings.
Once in his own room, he placed the
ring tendcrly Il drawer; but as he was
about to place the little book beside
it, it fell from hishands, and lay open
ed at his feet.
He stopped to regain IL, and, as he
held it up to the light, apictnre drop
ped from his hands, which " single
glance told him was his.
His heart gave II sudden bound, and
almost involnntarily his eye fell upon
the page ut which the book had open
cd. Il was stained with tears, aud
contained pcncilcd lines; and scarce
conscious Of what he was doing, he
read these words:
"To-day has been the happicst, the
saddest Of my life The man whom
have loved SO long and well, and who,
feel sure, was about to utter words
which my 'cartlongra to hear-wl'irl'
it would have been my joy and pride
to nnswer-wns sent from me by n
cruel mistake. Oh, Henry i'll could
see YOU once more, to tell you how
truly my heart was yo,rs--and yours
onlyw
Henry Leigh could read no more
As the tide OF grief had overwhelmed
him, so did now this sudden joy; and
sinking into a chair he leaned his face
upon his hands, incapable of speech
or motion.
The sun had scarcely risen the next
morning, when Lila Summers cmerg.
cd from her home, and Fastening tc
her little arbor, bent down and bcga,
searching anxiously among the grass
and at last, finding her quest vain
burst into tears.
81 have lost all-all! the ring he
once gave me, and hislikcncssns well
Even that poor comfort is denied me
"Not so, darling, not So" exclaimed
a voice near her; and the next moment
q pair of strong arms cncirclcd her II
u close embrace, and bearded lip
showered kisses upon her own.
"Mr. Leigh" she laltered; "havt
you come again? Oh! thought
had lost everything that was dear t'
mc;' and her tears flowed again, al,
though from joy this time.
ayes, darling" Henry answered
tendcrly; 81 have come to you again
and to stay, if your sweetlips will bid
me welcome"
"Welcomc, truly, sincerely wei
come !" she exclaimed, raising her eye
radiant with q rainbow of tears an,
smiles, to his face. 81 was sitting on
here last night with my little diary, ant
that ring you once gave me in my lal
and starting up in a hurry, they drop
ped to the ground; and when ] came
here to look for them by daylight
they we're gone, and felt as if | was
bcrcttcd of all ! held dear"
Sand they are foundw Henry an
swered, as ne placed them in heI
hand; "and with them came the pre-
cious truth that the heart | long hat
sighed for was mine! So shed no NOR,
tears, my darling, for as our sorrow
has been, so is our joy!"
eyes, truly, have no more nec(
for tears" Lila answered, with {
happy smile; "for the pain Of my loss
is forgotten III the happiness that
through it, have wont"