Year: 1862

POlSuouSu ucE W 20 early 10 Deu, Wnlle
remained in the room to write She soon fell
asleep, and | softly stole to my little desk, to
enjoy the dearest treat / now had. One by
one unfolded and laid on my lap some crum-
pied sheets of paper, with their struggling lines,
up and down, an occasional blots and eras.
ures. L spread them out, and placed the lamp
beside me, determined to have an hours entire
delight reading the words his mind had con-
ceVed and fingers written, aud kiss them over
and over again in my wild affection People
seldom think, when they are away, how dear
q letter iS-how it is treasured, the words con.
ned oVer--or letters home would be more care
fully traced /: the hearts best Thoughts would
be poured out, and words of affection and en-.
dearment flow more frequently from the pen
The letter is dim reflection of the writer's
being-or ought to be- How the widow broods
over the last letter from the dear one who died
far away ! Can anything be dearer ? L.
thousands were poured into her lap-if all the
luxuries that money or rank can buy were
spread before her-wouId her eyes moisten


would her lips quiver, would her heart SO yearn,
as they do over that scrap of paper-yelloW
and faded-seared with many tears, but hal
lowed by many prayers I read them over
had but three-and then my mind wandered
from them to him. wondered what he was
doing-whether he was thinking of US, and
had missed the Sundays rambles /; next Sun
day | would go TO the wood and gather little
Wild flower and leaf of our old tree, and send
them to him Mother and father had gone
to bed | heard their bedroom door close
and | had heard the last servant GO up the
back staircase behind our room Hessy was
asleep and | sat on, not needing how the
time went, wrapt NJ in my musing.


The clock below had struck eleVeu-that
was late for us-and l had just placed the
precious letters on my dressing table, ready to
take up when was undressed and hide them
under my pillow, when faint sound outside
the window attracted me. | was easily alarm
ed ghosts or thieves were uppermost in my
mind must listen Again the noise-lou-
der and more determined. There's something
in the ivy, thought-or, perhaps it's bird,
or some creature moving the leaves. Again,
and clear soft whisper struck like familiar
music on my ear.


Natty know you're awake don't be
frightened it's Cousin Julian Don't wake
Hessy, or any one but come round quietly to
the study window and open it. Not word,
for yoar life and mine, Natty W


| felt no fear l did not seem to think it
strange that he should be there, and at such
time Breathless, stole out of the room,
down the staircase, and into the study. He
was outside the window before | could open
it, which l did softly and quickly. A stfed
cry of joy, a wild embrace, aud we both stood
in the cold night air !


Don't be frightened, Natty I" he said,
with an attempt at laugh I'm no ghost,
but your own cousin, come to bid you fare
well-perhaps for ever ~


felt myself getting cold and rigid saw
his face with a new expression, fixed look
had never seen there before his eyes were
wild, and his hair thrown back in disordered
curls


How did you y" gasped.


Never mind that, now. dare not stay
many minutes tomorrow many miles will be
between us and the deep sea-the glorious
sea beneath me, Natty ! could not bear the
new life, it was killing me, killing me by iuches;
so | determined to run away. Uncle thinks
I've been the last two days down here, and
won't expect me for week to come ; so L
shall have time to escape unSaught. You
must be my friend, Natty. | could not go
without a word from you, and a sight of the
old place again. 1 come for a blessing from
you, and kiss to haIlow it, darling and to
assure you III never forget you you'll be the
one wee thing treasured in my wayward heart,
Natty it's strong and loving one, Natty /;
though they'll abuse me, and perhaps curse
me, don't yOU turn from me, my darling L
60 Don't tell any one of my visit-it was to
got don't tell Hessy don't tell any human
being. If prosper you shall hear frc m me (;
if motif years pass and l give no sign, then,
Natty, forget me for another, but not till then.
Wait for o time, darling the sea that bears
me from you may bring me back again and
what if | find the nest deserted DE was cru
ell, Natty-he goaded me with my fathers
carelessness and instabiIity-he spoke slightly
of my dead mother, Natty bore it all-but l
will never see his face again w


All this time l lay in his arms like little
child. | had no reason, no feeling, but that
he aoas there, and | drank in his words with a
painful effort. | remember the last farewell
th strainiDg to his brest--the hot tears mot
mine) on my face-the emphatic "BleSs you,
nv darling for ever, for ever !" and then, the
quick receding footsteps-the pushing back of
crisp branches--the hurried rushing sound
over the long avinue and then | shut the
window calmly, stole up stairs softly, closed
the door, and stood beside my sisters bed,
gazing upon her sleeping form ! must have
remained so long, dreary time, for the dying
out of the lamp recalled me, and sank upon
the floor with wild and bitter cry.


That cry awoke my sister and my parents
They found me returning slowly to conscious
ness--pale and rigid " What could be the
seen ghost Had heard
or seen any thing to alarm me p gave 20
answer there seemed weight on my heart
and mind that could not dispel-no voice
would come They searched the room-the