Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-09-10

and restricted her affections 10 favOrito
kitten and Glove Of a spaniel" till at
length a stalwart knight, sturdy and
bold, entered the lists. and soon dis
tanced all competitors for the hand OF
our heroine and her FL, 600.
| Matters progressed favorably, and,
after time, the fair Celia began to con-
slider the eyes Of her knight better worth
looking into and his countenance more
attractive than that Of her juvenile grim
akin, and even the pet, Flora, was
| neglected. Numerous were their walks,
Down in the vale where the sweet waters gliding,
In murmur,ns streams ripple through Tie dark
grove;
And sundry were the calculations Of the
knight" How beautiful" though
whether they wero applied to the seem
cry or his companion must still remain
an open question. Some six months
elapsed, and our scene now opens in the
lovehest month of the year-warm,
glowing, sunny June. 1t was the eve Of
y o j. =. and the knioht and the
fair iadye" we're taking tleir accus-
toned walk. The moonlight lay bright
upon the river, and the water trembled
beneath it like timid lips beneath tie
first kiss.
A nightingale began to sing in the
valley, which had derived its name from
the inimitable songster, and another an
swered IL from an adjacent grove. 1t
was a night in which one not only loves,
but is beloved, in which one not only longs
for blessedness, but will he blessed. The
knight drew the "lsdve" closer TO his
side, and more compressed was the pres-
sure on her delicatelv rounded arm as
he poured his VOWS of affection and un-
alterable love into her willing ear. His
advances We're not discouraged, for the
happy pair returned TO th, uncle, who
doubtless said, in the language of old
stage comedy gentlemen, Take her.
you dog, take her, though you don't de-
serve her."
Time rolled on four times had the
seasons changed, but 10 change had
taken place in tho relative positions Of
Celia and her knight. They were stu
aflianced, but alas, for the ficklencss ii
woman such was not long to continue
the case. 4 Mr.. D, who in early
life had exchanged the quiet and roman
tic scenery Of his native village for the
busy, busting scenes Of Manchester, re-
turned to Acton for the purpose of
visiting his parents, and in the course of
his sojourn WAS introduced to cur far
mt fickle heroine Verify, if Cupit shot
the dart, he has much to answer for: but
certain 1t is that the young linen-drapsr
created, unvittingly, al interest in the
breast of the lady far deeper than that
she felt for her former lover! But. alas!
the fame was not mutual.
Whether Mr.. b was aware OF the
engagement subsisting between Miss
Celia and her knight, or whether hls
affections were of platoaic rather than
ardent caste is uncertain: but. never
theless. when his leave uf absence eX-
pir-d, tc took leave of the dausel With
all conc-ivabie cOolncss and uncOncern,
and deserted the charming Celia for
calicoes and counter-iumping. Poor
girl the shock 10 her susceptible affec-
tions was insupportsble. She pined and
withered, walked about the house with
an absent, distracted, melancholy air,
took to singing doleiul ditties, CON-
mencing with "Sweet Blighted Lily"
and, in short, was fast becoming prey
to "a lean and yellow melancholy"
In vain the assiduous knight, who lit
tie suspected the cause of his fair ones
misery, redoubled his attentions. In
vain he entrea.ed her to put termina-
ton to his doubts and fears, and crown
his happiness by becoming Mrs. K.
No: the image of her knight was sup
planted in her faithful heart by her dear,
her darling Mr.. D; and finally, when
she became of age, she quietly sent a
letter to the young gentleman at Man
chester, avowing her prediction for
him, and offering herself for his accept
ance, "ior better, for worse" as the case
might be. As soon as the Manchester
man received the letter he at once cut
the calico trade, and came as fast As the
wings of love and an express train could
bring him to throw himself at the ladys
feet. Fortune was favorable.
The uncle and guardian of the lady
were temporarily absent ; and 1--WE blush
to say IT'D the faithless Celia and her lin
en-draper lover were united in the indis
soluble bonds of holy matrimony. Swift
ly passed the hours, and they awaked
from their dream of young love. The