Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 1, Number 10, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 3 September 1870 — Page 6

/6

JP~

(For the Saturday Evening Mali.] JULIA.

t-fu ""J

41

1

Hjaln,

1

*x 1JY KKV. E. CASK. &

Krunevshed.

I

4

Man'» love it of himiclf a thine apart!

\Voman'», her whole existence!' —BVRON. Julia! voluptuous daughter of the South 1 With eyes like the skies of thine own native

And cheek and lip of hues of heavenly Wrtli, And form like hers that beauty's

reign. _fj.

ijtieen doth

.lulla! voluptuous daughter of the South Glowing and melting iu thy warm desire, With thousand kisses on thy roy mouth, 'To kindle all the soul's impassioned fire.

Warm as the sun of thine own cloudless skies, Sweet ns the breeze of thine own native bowers, And love's sweet heaven glowing in thine eyes To inako a heaven in the glad soul of ours ('-old were the heart that cannot feel for thee, Nor melt at sorrow which thy soul must feel, Fi'-ft as thou wert,subdued to misery, Thy full heart bleeding with the b.ixbed r.teel!

And thou liads't ventured all upon the heart, With thedeep feeling of a woman's love That with, her soul, her Ood, li"r all will part, The strength and constancy oflove (o prove Heeding not what may be the sail event, Nor what the danger cooler souls would shun As though her very lire were to be spent To love and lose or love and be undone.

Jii thy seclusion, sad 1 follow thee— Hohold thee beautiful and lovely still, And l«ng to speak, thy soul from pain to free, And feel thy heart in its rich pulses thrill. And I would fold thee to my sorrowing breast And know tiiee not of dull and common clay, :in whom some soul by passion unimprest -'Jlots meanly, coldly, sordidly away.

What (io such groveling souls e'er know of love, Or of its all creating hidden fire? Or what companionships have they above? The duit and ashes where themselves expire? They have no life, no light, no love lo fling i:i joy and beauty on the path tl'.ey tread— No heart containing some deep hidden spring, Around which passion's/lowers sweet fra-

No pardon's host, all hid from outward life, Where biding forth the dearest of the soul, SVe round them cling in deathless Joy, and give Those feelings that like ocean's billows roll No faults that teach them kindly to forgive, And with heaven's charity the fall'n deplore That says to the stricken soul of woman, 1 jive! Kor I condemn no!! go and sin no more!"

O, rather let me have some gentle fault, Some weakness call It—not to be forgot, Than have the soul in hesitating halt, Halfway inclined to sin,and halfway not That fears to drink of the forbidden cup In dread of what some hypocrite will say, Hut yet -would willing drain to the last sup, If safely pa veil the smooth and slippery way.

Perhaps when earthly life has swiftly past And the last billow rolled upon its shore, And the rich pearls have all away been east, Tim mod forgiven will but love the more And t'.'.ose whose souls wers shaken like a reed On whose sharp point did hope and peace expire, And those the world 1st- off to mourn and bleed, Shall boar the Master say, "Dear child! come higher!"

•'Kor I have tempered to thy cheek, the wind, And helped thee bear the burthens on thy way So here, the sandals from thy feet unbind, That, rent anil sore, have trod the thoiny way, Kor I best know what 'tis to groan and bear And I have prayed that, such may oe iorgiven In thy temptations I thy grief did share, And now I'll share with thee the bliss of lu-aven

Was It H, or K?

A warm, lazy, summer afternoon. A tall, handsome, manly looking fellow is stretched on the grass at the feet of a bright, pretty woman, who sometimes ivroehets, and sometimes leaves off to watch the listless figuro that does nothing but pull apart the clover leaves, ttlio is only two'years his senior, but bis aunt, and married so she is not his lady love, but his best woman friend, whom he loves dearly, and trusts entirely. She has just returned from a three years' stay in Europe so now they are trying to "talk up" this long intervening time that has separated tliem. "John," she says, after there has been .ML long, quiet pause, there's one thing you haven't spoken about. I've been studying your face ever since came back. There'# a pained, hard look often in it now that 1 am sure some woman put there. And, besides, here you are at thirty not married yet though there's nothing earthly to prevent, and you've been a perfect devotee of the sex over since you were a baby in petticoats So, John, dear, I know thero is :t romance you never oven mentioned to me." And as she spoke she laid her little soft hand caressingly on his hair. lie turned his head, and met her loving glance with a softened look on his Iheo then said, slowly "Your woman's instinct has hit the m.ark, as usual, Kate. I think you love mo, and there is no other woman in tho world that does" (bis mother was dead) "so I will toll vou all about it now, bocause I'm in the mood, and may never bp again, and, besides, I trust yon, Kate.' And he took the little hand :uid kissed it reverently. Then, throwing himself back on the grass, leaning on his elbow—such a becoming attitude for a handsome man !—he legan

It isn't so much of a story, after all, dear, and it all hinges on just the being able to tell if a single letter were an it or a K. Tho one romance of my whole Ufr was in it, though and since it failed, why, all the real brightness ol my youth lias gone forever. Strange Hod should let such trifles, such insignificant mistakes, have |owcr sometimes to wreck a whole life! Just nfU4r you went abroad, you know, I wont to California on some professional 1 uninc*s. The first «lav out. as I was standing on tho deck, smoking, I put tny hand into mv pocket for inv cigaroft«e, and pullcu out instead "a small parcel, which, on opening, I found to he a morocco miniature-case. This is |uecr/ I Mid to myself, 'but intercst-

wm

big!' Then I romemborod that the night boforo, when I was busy packing —inv room at tho samo tiino halt full of fellows who had come In to say good bve—that a servant had brought mo

UP

door for new ht no

this package, just loft at tho mo, ho said. Thinking it wiu cigar-ease 1 had ordered, I thought no

it was tho new I

more about just thon. but tuckod it

Iit 1 juni/

into my pocket, and had forgotten all about it till now. I opened eagerly the case, and there was a photograph, ft vignette, of such a lovely woman 1 certainly never saw a more charming picture niul you will uclinit Hint, in 111V long apprenticeship to tho sex have grown critical, and means oasily pleased. "Tho shoulders were turned away coquettishly, as if to hide their lovely outlines, but tho aco looked back on mo with an air of archness that was captivating. The mouth was delicate, but full of character tho eyos, which met mine with the glimmer of a far-oil smile in them, were large and very dark, contrasting strongly in color with the hair, which was light, and thrown off carelessly, in little waves, from a wide, low forehead, like a stat ue's. The whole face was that of a young, beautiful, spirited girl, already tlangerous in her consciousness of womanly power." "All, John!" whispers the aunt, coaxiuglv your description fascinates me. Will you not show me tho picture some dav ...

No,"* answered the young

wrapper was

I

bv no

man,with

a heavy sigh "because I gave it back to her long ago. Well, you can fancy my amazement at thus coming into possession of such a picture, the original of which I had

never

life. As there was no

seen in my

note

with it,

was there, broke

was

its lorco,

and saved mo. The photograph itself was not materially hurt either, though the case was split to pieces. After that the feeling I had for it amounted almost to a superstition. I staid in California ft year then,

my

business being

successfully accomplished, I returned home to New York. Of course there were many thoughts crowding into my mind as we steamed up the harbor the^ morning I arrived but, laugh at me it yon will, uppermost among them was the feeling, or presentiment, or whatever you choose to call it, that I was coming home to find the original of my picture, and so meet my fate. I would not for the world, though, have conlessed as much to any one, and I never showed tho picture. Nevertheless, it is the truth that I took the most unheardof pains to discover tho fair unknown, and I never went any where without a faint hope of seeing her. I stared at every woman I met with light hair and dark eyes, hunted through photograph saloons, and alwavs looked into every body's album—a thing which ordinarily I'detest—but all my efforts were in vain and finally I give up tho whole thing as a mystery it was useless to puzzle my brains over. But at last,one day "Ah!" exclaimed Kate now she's coming, I know. 1 was beginning to grow impatient for her."

Yes, he answered, with a smile at her earnestness "she's coming now, Kate, and this was the way she came. I was hurrying home one afternoon in a sudden, blinding snow-storm that had just come up. In front of me were two ladies rushing along under an umbrella, evidently overtaken, like me. by the tremendous storm. The wind was blowing their clothes about in the most unceremonious manner, evidently lo theirdismay—thoughonoof them, 1 noticed, had the prettiest foot and ankle I ever saw—and beneath their closely tied blue veils they were laughing heartily us they tried to hold up their umbrella, and at tho same time keep their footing on the icy sidewalk. I

watching them with much amusement and interest, especially tho taller one, who was very graceful in spite of her difficulties, when a sudden gust of wind came sweeping round the corner, whirled the umbrella out of their hands, and brought them both do.\ynon the ice at my feet with a crash. The short one langhed and bounced up before I could help her- but the other reached out and took my outstretched hand with a little moan. 'I think I have sprained my ankle,' said she, in a soft, piteous voice. At that I lifted her

Yes," said the* young man, quickly, "Why. do you know her?" Only by reputation, before I went abroad* as* a great beauty and a most fascinating woman. She had such a host of suitors So it was her picturo you had? No wonder you were bewitched, John! Now go on, for I aui ton times more interested than ever." "Well, fortunatclv, a carriage was passing. So I hailed it and, taking the half-fainting urirl in my arms, put her into it, ana Mary and I took ner home. Just as wo seated ourselves in if, I supporting her carefully one side, Mary tenderly nohling up the poor little foot the other, her veil came off, and there, to my utter bewilderment and

tho

1

turned with keen curiosity to the iupper, which I had hastily

torn

oil with­

out looking at. Alas! one half only was lving at my feet the other half had blown into the water,

could just discern it

licie

now,

a little brown

speck, for which I would have gi^cn almost any thing. Ior on the half I held was written, in a stylish, feminine hand, 'Mr. John

thci'°

torn

across

most piovok-

ingly for, looking at it narrowly where the lower part of the Hwas torn it looked almost as though it might be a K, after all. How I pored over that wretched capital! If it were an H,,in spite of the mystery—making it all the more charming—it belonged to me ii it were a K, then some unlucky being had through a blunder ol somebody, lost a picture that must be worth the world to him. Finally, I decided that it must be an II and feeling a presentiment that

some

romance for me was

connected with it, I took the gieatest care of it, wearing it always in my breast pocket, and spending many an idle niomont in (Julitornui in studying it. I had to be formally months among tho mines, where I had not a single friend and when I grew almost heartwick witii seeing only the lmrdened, coarse, even brutalized laces of the poor women one linds there, it was such a blessed relict to take out this picture, which carried me straight back to civilization and home, with its sott, refined features, and its sweet, pure eyes! Then one day, by a strange chance—Providence, 1 ought to say it gained for me a new charm, since it saved my life. I was riding alone, one dark night, through a gloomy pass, when the well-aimed ball of some hidden desperado struck directly on my breast but tho case of the little picture, which

TF.PRK-HATJTM SATURDAY 'EVENING MAIE:^SEPTEMBER 3, 1870.

delight, was tho long-sought original of my picture, her hoad actually resting on my shouldor! Thore wore tho samo wondorful dark eyes, the same light, wavy hair tossod back from tho low, wide forehead, oven the samo brooch— an odd, foreign affair—ftt her throat! It wns lucky lor me that Mary was entirely occupied with her frlenci. Otherwise I don't know what she would have thought of my perfectly amazed and probably ludicrous expression as we drove slowly along. I am sure could not have told whether I was in IToaven or earth. She did utterly bowitch mo that day, Kato, not only with lier beauty, but her bravo enduranco of pain— which, as soon as tho faintness passed oil', sho made light of—and her naive, sweet ways,

frankness with which

she accepted my aid, and then tho lovely blush with which sho thanked me when, having carried her safely into her home, I left her.

Of course I went home in a state of cestacy, sat up half tho night poring over lier picture, and dreaming glorious dreams of the future and of course the very next morning I presented myself at the Allyn mansion, ostensibly to inquire after Mary's health and condition, really to find out every thing possible about Miss Stanley. Mary was overflowing in her expressions ot gratitude, both for herself and her friend and after informing me that the sprain had proved very slight, raised me to the seventh heaven by rehearsing tho thousand and ono complimentary things that she insisted Miss Stanley had said about mo. I told her that, as I didn't believe one thing she was saying, we would change the subject, and asked how it happened that I had never met. her friend before. "'She has lived in Philadelphia till lately has been a great belle there but her fat her, who is a lawyer, and not well off, has moved now with his family to New York.'

She is very beautiful, and will find no lack of admirers here too.' Ah said Mary, quickly but she is already engaged.'

Do you know, Kate, that when she said that I honestly felt as though some one had suddenly stabbed me. I don't think I showed it, though, in my face, and I said, quietly:

Wno is the fortunate man?' "'Mr. John Kuler, a Cuban on his mother's side—such a little, dark man! furiously jealous, they say, i. she but smiles on any one else—and without an earthly attraction, that ever I could see, for a girl like Laura Stanley, unless it's his immense wealth, and his old family—one of the best in the city, you know.'

I had heard enough, as you may upposo, Kate, and walked home, calling myself a l'ool, and vowing never to look at, or care for her picture again. 'My little romance is over,' I said to myself, I put the case carefully away. I might have known it would bo so so here's the end of it all forme.' Ah! Kate, dear, it would have been well for me if that had been the end of it.

In August, finding the city hot, and needing a rest from "business, I went for my vacation to—never mind the name—one of the fashionable resorts that summer. You know tho sort of place—r largo hotel filled with gay people, wide piazzas running all around the house, delightful for promenades in tho morning, dangerously fascinating for tho same in the evening romantic pine woods with lovers' walks in them overv where close by. charming drives in all directions, capital opportunities for rowing and sailing on the lake. In short, if ever a place was designed by Nature for every sort of good times— specially flirtations—that was the place. However, I didn't feel like flirting."

For the first time in your life, then," suggests the aunt, quietly. "Besides, there was really nobody worth one's while all the first class girls were dull and homely all the pretty ones dreadfully second-class. So I kept myself, and enjoyed nature outdoors rather than art in." "'Art,' meaning their complexions, I suppose," says Kate. '.'Certainly also their 'tricks and manners.' One evening, however, there was an unusual stir in the house at a party of arrivals and lounging into the office to look at the book after they had registered their names, I will acknowledge that my heart gave a thump when I read, 'Mr, and Mrs. Stanley, and Miss La.ura Stanley, of New York.' The next morning she appeared ao breakfast, looking like a divinity, in tho prettiest white morning dress. I took one rapid, sweeping glance, as she came in with a quiet, unembarrassed air, though there wasn't a woman in the room" whose eyes were not taking her all in critically", and could find no fault in her, from the top of her head, where a coquettish blue bowr fastened her lovely hair—" "Wonder where she bought it?" asks Kate, wickedly.

Every spire of it was hcrown, madam. It all came down once when we were riding horseback together, and it looked like amass of gold in the sunshine. I helped her put it up." "No doubt you did," says the aunt. "As I was saying," continued tho young man, not deigning to notice tho remark, sho was faultless down to the tips of her little bronze slippers. Tho tables at which I sat was directly opposite hers and when, to my astonishment, during the meal, she happened to catch mo looking at her, and recognized me at once with a sudden lighting up of her splendid eves, and a charming bow and smile, I'm free to confess, Kate, that, 'scarred old veteran' as I am, I blushed up lo inv eyes with pleasure, like any boy of seventeen, and just fell head over ears in love with her there and then—Mr. John Kuler or anv body else notwithstanding. Oh, what- weeks of enchantment those were that followed! Some way we were wonderfully congenial, as we found, in all our ways of thinking, in our tastes, and in our likes and dislikes. She was cultivated and clever,

gently with both my arms, and, as I and it was a pleasure to talk over my did so, her friend exclaimed, joyfully, favorite books with her. She had,too,us "Oh, bless you, Mr. Hallcr! I'm so bless vou, Mr. Hallcr! glad it's yo.v?" and. to my surprise, it was my old friend, Mary Allyn, the jollicst* drollest creature, too." "'Laura! are you kilt entirely? Oh, dear, she can hardly stand Mr. Ilaller, just hold her up long enough for me to introduce you to her—Miss Stanley. Now what are we to do "•'You don't mean to tell me," exclaimed Kato, with animation, "that it was Laura Stanley

keen a sense of the ludicrous as I. What a bond of sympathy that is, Kate! I couldn't love Venus herself if she had no sense of humor. And whenever any thing grotesque or absurb occurred, mv eves instinctively sought in hers the quick glancc of amusement that was sure to respond. I am sure I had no thought of a flirtation. It was simply that I could not keep away from her and I

never

came without meeting

a welcoming glance or a reproachful

4

Where have you been all the time?' said time being perhaps from breakfast to dinner, when I hail resolutely kept away, lest I should weary her. So, at last, we were almost inseparable. Oh, the long, merry walks we used to take in the fresh morning air, and the

flu*®'»

dreamy hours we spent sailing on the lake at sunset—she looking like a picture, in her broad straw hat and white dress, leaning over the side to dip her little hand in the water while she talked, and her cousin—a plump little chit of seven, who always went with as for propriety—lav curled np asleep at her feet! Then there were sunny afternoons in the nine woods, when I read to her, and glorious moonlight nights

piazza, when tho mere onjoy 'being together in such beauty

on tho ment of being together in sucn Deauty was lull of romance, and a dangerous luxury. Every day I felt ^nore and more that for me, and perhaps for her, it was growing too sweet—only a sin and a snaro—and I would rosolvo to broak tho spell, and tear myself away but 1 could not."

Did vou never say a word about her picture Not a word. An odd thing happened, though, that I must tell you. Her mother, ono day, was showing mo her album—a very lino one—when some ono remarked that tho photograph of Miss Laura was very poor. All!' said her mother, sighing I wish you could have seen the one she had taken for Mr Kuler once It was superb 1 Ho never got it, though, poor man! for it was lost in the most mysterious manner.' "My heart beat guiltily under the picturo, at that moment reposing in my breast pocket—you see it liad resumed its old California place—and I will eo. fess that I felt liko a thief and a pickpocket but I calmly scrutinized the photographs, and asked, 'What could have become of it?'

We suppose tho servant must have left it at the wrong house but though Mr.' Kuler made no end of inquiries and l'uss, it was never found. She had another taken for him, but it was not half so good.'

I wonder what lucky wretch did get it?' said one ot the gentlemen, laughing. 'Some unprincipled scamp, probably,' said I and there the matter dropped."

I declare!" said Kato, laughing think you were a brazen-faced villain You ought to have given it up on the spot."

Not I," said the young man. "John Kuler had one, and that was enough for him, since he had the original too. This was mine by right of possession and I was highlv'gratified to learn that of the two 1 had the best, and I meant to keep it."

Kate shook her head disapprovingly. John, you are incorrigible. But tell inc. Where was her lover all this time? And then the gossips, the tabbies—did they let you alone?

Her lover was in New York, I suppose, attending to his business. As for the gossips—well, they were busy with us, that's a fact, but she cared not one whit for them. I think her mother used to remonstrate with her sometimes, too but she was headstrong and willful, and as long as she was happy in the present—antl I know now that those were halcyon days for her as well as me—she would not face the future. All at one there came the end—as there always does come the end, I find, to everything sweet in this lite." And the "sigh with which John spoke the words was long and deep. "We had just returned from a delightful walk, and were resting merrily on the piazza together, Laura fanning herself with her straw hat, when her little cousin ran to her with a letter. She opened it, and glanced through it then I saw a shade pass over her face, and she pressed her lips closely together, turning her face, as if to conceal it

When she spoke again it was in a constrained voice: 'Mr. Kuler comes this afternoon will remain till we go back to town. I shall not be able to ride on horseback with you to-day, as I promised, Mr. llaller.'

Was she glad or sorry that her lover was coming I could only guess from her face, and that was hard and set. For myself, my heart gave a sudden bound,"as I thought, 'She does not care for him sho loves me.'

Mr. Kuler conies to-day, and I go away to-morrow,' I said, watching her face. "Sho rose to go in, then suddenly turned and gave me her hand—the softest, prettiest little hand in the world, I think. Don't go to-morrow. I want you to stay. Will you "What could I answer, Kate, with his face looking up so into mine, but that I would do any thing or every thing in the world that she asked me Another minute, and I should have told her all —of her picture I had cherished so long, of the love I felt for her now. I am sure she must have seen from my face what was coming, and perhaps was frightened at what she had done for sho escaped from me without another word. At dinner she did not make her appearance, and I heard her mother tell' some one that Laura had a fearful headache.'

All the afternoon I was out rowing desperately, making time such as I never did before, while my brain was in a whirl. I was sure she did not love this John Kuler whom she had promised to marry. I dared to hope, and I think she had given me every reason to hope, that she did love me. Why should she keep her engagement, and be miserable? At tho first opportunity I resolved to lay myself at her feet, and run my chances of an acceptance—perhaps of a refusal, with a scathing rebuke. "Coming in late to tea, my eve glanced at the Stanleys' table. There sat Laura, exquisitely dressed, and brilliantly beautiful (though with a little heaviness about her eyes, and an oxcitcd flush on her cheeks), talking and laughing gaylvwith Mr.

sat beside her. As Mary Allyn had said, he was a little, dark man, with a fiery eye and a Cuban face. She looked up, and just nodded at mo with an air of cool indifference that almost stunned me, making me feel all at once that I had been all day only dreaming the wildest dreams. Yon see, Kate, she was so deep like all you

'light as fair weather.' I could almost hate myself that, in spite of all, I could not help loving her. She had virtually brought me to her feet she was sure of the power she had over me she even acknowledged to herself my powor over her but for all that, now that her lover had come, a better parti than I, she had determined to go back to her allegiance, and to show me that I was to be nothing to her any more.

How that cool little nod angered me, and roused mv pride! I resolved, as I quietly drank

my tea,

would not go to-morrow, and so beat an inglorious retreat before

this

victorious

rival. All the evening I danced and flirted mildly with a

pretty

young wid­

ow, who had just come, leaving mv love, unmolested, to her fate. I had mv revenge, however, in the uneasy glances I^w.her throw Inour d.rcc-

tion, and especially in and Mr. Kuler, who sat by themselves in a duly engaged manner, did to enjov themselves supremely. as after so long"an absence might have been expectecf. He looked moody, and talked little—he had a high, unpleasant voice —while she, instead of being all sparkle and animation, as usual, had a preoccupied air, and wore a forced smile. Once or twice I saw that she actuallv looked bored. You see, Kate, I had not been studving her face so long in vain, and I" could read it now or thought I could—like an ojv?n book. "The next day Mrs. Stanley, a managing old woman, who had been distresses of late lest I was interfering with her cherished plan, introduced me complacently to her future son-in-law. I noticed,"by the way, that he re­

garded me with no benignant expression and I soon found—Kate, do not think mo a conceited fool for saying so it was the simple truth—that, "barring his Immense wealth and aristocratic family, ho was a man I should have nothing to fear from as a rival in Laura Stanley's heart. Well-bred, but nar-row-minded and opinionated, without ono particle of originality or enthusiasm, given to long, pointless stories and the dreariest platitudes in conversation, just the man to weary utterlv a quick, intellectual, brilliant girl like Laura Stanley. From my heart I began lo pity her. I felt that she was dooming herself to a life of horrible ennui, or clso ono of reckless miserv, perhaps Oi sin.

Wo had no hing but tho most ordinary intercourse for several days: there was no chance for a tete-a-tete, and I

tyiually to wear. Wednesday came—I had made my plans to leave f'riday, as Laura knew—a sailing partv was go'ien up, the Stanleys were going, so was I. Perhaps she was desperate, ennuve with her lover at any rate I saw she had ono of her reckless days on. When the party were assembling on the piazza it hapj'ened that I was a little lute, and so was she, and we met in the hall. It was a cool day she had on a short dress of bright' navy blue,' fitting her closely, and showing off her round, lovely form to perfection, and a little blaclc sailor hat trimmed with blue set jauntily on her light hair nothing could have been nattier or more becoming than her costume. I gave her a look expressive of my entire approval sho answered it with a bright, coquettish laugh—howshe loved admiration, that girl!—and a saucy Glad your lordship's pleased, I am sure.' Then all at once her tone and expression changed and grew grave. I think it was partly in her ever-varying moods and ways that her charm lay—you never knew what she was going to say or do next and she said, in a low voice, reproachful and tender:

Why have you been so cruel to me You have hardly spoken to mo for days. Shall I save a place for you by me in the boat to-day, as I used to?'

Mr. Kuler scowled when, after helping the ladies aboard, I jumped lightly into the boat, on the other side of Laura. But I cared not for his scowls, neither apparently did she so I held her parasol over her, and beneath its protecting shade we laughed and talked and enjoyed ourselves together in the old way, tiil the sail was over, and tho boat was returning to the landing-place.

I have been so happy and so wicked all the afternoon,' she said to ine, almost in a whisper, bending over the side and dipping her hand in the water as she spoke 'and this evening I must be good and—miserable./"—this last in an almost inaudible voice, full of sadness. "'Miserable, not only for this evening, but for all the days of your life. Is it not so I answered, looking at her steadily. 'Why not free yourself, and then be good as" well as happy with me alwavs? You know I love yon.' "'Hush!' she whispered, without raising her hoad and I saw her very neck grow crimson beneath her hat.

You must not say that to me now. It is too late. I have not the courage I fear my father and my mother and tho world. Besides, you do not know me. I am intensely ambitious and worldly, and wealth and position givo power, ire loves 1110 too—and—-mid alter a while I dare s-.iv I may care for him. Promise me that you will lia/eme— that vou will never tempt mj again. I am not so strong in myself as 1 believed. I cannot bear it!' And her head sank still lower, and I saw her tears drop into the water. "There was a choking in my throat that prevented mv answering at once. She put up her hand hastily to her eyes with an impatient gesture, as though angry with herself, and then gave a sudden start and exclamation, looking at her finger. Her engagement ring (a magnificent solitaire) was gone! Air. Kuler, who had been busy collecting the Stanley shawls, sprang to her side at her screarii of dismay, and there onsued a general scene of confusion, in which every body was occupied in looking and lamenting. But the ring (which must have slipped off her finger in the water) could not be found. Mr. Kuler looked darker than ever, poor Laura was pale and distressed—the loss of the ring giving her an apparent reason—and altogether it was a dreary party that returned to the house. For myself, I simply felt that love and tho romance of life for me were over. I loved this woman profoundly—as I can never love anv woman again. She had led me on "to declaring myself, and then had rejected me—not bccause sho did not return my love, for I felt that in every nerve of my body, in cveiy emotion of her soul, she did but she was not true enough to herself, not noble enou,rh to give up tho world loi lo\ c. Now"notlung remained for mo but to jtq awav and live this passion down, throwing myself heart and soul into mv

profession,

Kuler,who

women,

too,

that now

and finding in that, if I

could, a mistress, an absorbing occupation. I was sitting in mv room smoking while I mused gloomily of these things and looked at the little picture which had so strangely been bound up with

in life, when I'was startled by a hand on* my shoulder, and, turning, saw Mr. Kuler, who was saying: "'Mr. Hallcr must have been very deep in thought mmo he did not hear me, though I knocked twice. I

Then he stopped short. I had losed tho case quickly when I heard his voice, but not quick enough, it seemed. His voice changed and his eves grew dangerous. You are fortunate in being the possessor of a picture Miss Stanley told me was lost.'

His insolent tone angered me, so I coolly put the picture back in my pocket. I wo-h occupied and did not hoar j'ou. Can I do any thing for you this evening?' "He looked as if ho could have stabbed me on the spot. For me nothing now. I will see you later in tho evening,' his voice

was

voice husky with rage. I caught the words treachory, revenge, you have deceived me.'

Then Laura answered indignantly, Can you not believe mo when I say that I never gave him tho picture "Instantly I walked up to them, and placed myself before Mr. Kuler.

4

Your

opinion of me,' I said, with all the calmness I could command, is a matter of utter indifference. But I wish to exculpate Miss Stanley from all blame whatsoever as regards her picture, which you have unfortunately seen in mv hands.' Then, in tho simplest, most direct way, I told the story of the picture, and what it had been to me in California, and ever since, and how it had saved my life. Laura listened with intensity, 'her bosom heaving, her handa clasped closely together, as if she were holding herself down. Then—it was almost like wrenching my heart out, Kate—I took out the picture and gave it to her. "'Your picture can never be anything to mo now, Miss Stanley and I have no right or title in it—have never had so 1 restore it to you. Goodnight!' "She felt, for mv voice betrayed it, that it was also 'farewell,' and that all was over between us. "'Good-night,' she said, softly, and put out her hand.

As I held it for one passionate moment I saw that her face was pale with suppressed emotion, and she was trembling all over. As I turned and left them, Mr. Kuler attempted to stammer out something, perhaps an apology but I did not wait to hear it, and went up to my room. There one of those tall, old-fashioned clocks at the head of my stairs, and all night long, Kate, as I lay awake, 1 heard that clin tick, and I thought of Longfellow's ho.vvcr never! Xevor—forever!"

As soon as it was daylight I got up, packed my things, and bv six o'clock was rushing on in tho train to NewYork."

Here the young man made a long pause. "Well?" said waiting a while. "Well," ho answered, with a long sigh, "you must be tired, and there is not much more to tell. I never saw her but once more, and that was after sho was married. Sho sent me cards, but 1 did not go to tho wedding, which took place that very fall, and was a grand atlair. There was a long description of it in the paper, and of how 'the happy pair' had gone to Europe. They spent the winter in Paris, where they woro very gay, and 'the beautiful Mrs. Kuler' was mentioned in all the accounts of the court balls. It was at a great party after she returned that 1 saw her. She was the most distinguished-looking woman in tho room, but less brilliantly beautiful than she used to be, I thought. Sho seemed a little worn and woary, and thero was a look about her that made you think that in solitude her face would be very sad. They say that her married life is very unhappy, that she is recklessly extravagant, and her husband close even to meanness, and •erribly jealous. I was standing behind a pedestal of flowers, where 1 could watch lier unseen, as I tlioughtller hair was powdered, and without a single ornament, and lieig. tened wonderfully the brilliancy of her magnificent eyes. Her neck, which was round and whito as a Juno's, was flashing with diamonds and all her movements hadasortof haughty grace. Suddenly sho grlanccd in my direction, and our eyes met. She st«rtol ancTcoiorwd then her face lighted up with ono of her old sweet smiles. I started forward to go to her, but at that moment some one came and claimed her hand for tho next dance, and I went home. Just that ono look sho gave me had set all my pulses to beating wildly. I felt that sho had not lost one jot of her old power over me yet and I did not dare to trust myself within tho ran go of her influence again, and revive the misery that I had been striving so hard to forgot. But I can not forget her, Kato, and I never shall."—Harper's Magazine.

Kate, gently, after

STRONG CJIARACTEUS.

Strength of character consists of two things—power of will and power of selfrestraint. It requires two things, therefore, for its existence—strong feelings aid strong command over them. Now it is here we make a great mistake wo mistake strong feelings for strong character. A man who bears all before him, before whoso frown domeslies tremble, and whose bursts of fury make tho children of tho household quake—because ho has his will obeyed, and his own way in all things—wo call him a strong man. The truth is, that is tho weak man, it is his passions that aro strong he, mastered by them, is weak. You must rneasuro the strength of a man by the power of thoso which subdue him. And henco composure is often the very highest result of strength. Did you never see a man receive a flagrant insult, and only grow a little red and then reply quietly? That is a man spiritually strong. Or did wo never seo a man in anguish stand, as if carved out of solid rock, mastering himself? Or one bearing a hopeless daily trial remain silent, and never tell the "world what cankered his homo peacc? That is strength, He who, with strong passions, remains chaste: ho who, keenly sensitive, with manly powers of indignation* in him, can be provoked and yet remain himself, and forgive—these are the strong men, spiritual heroes.

A NKW WKMTBKN Wo.vnKU,— Historical readers will remember that tho Empress Poppcea Sabina was

cannot

quivering with sup­

pressed passion. The ladies sent me to tell vou that they are waiting for you in the little parlor.' And he strode out of "the room. "The rehearsal for some theatricals we were getting up was to bo that evening, ana I had entirely forgotten it. I went down stairs but, as nobody seemed to be prepared, tho rehearsal did not come off. I was heartily glad of it, and taking niy cigar I went out on the piazza. It was a wild, gloomy night, so no one was out there and I paced up and down in the darkness and dreary wind, which suited my mood so well, going over the day's events and revolving what I must now do about tho picture, since it was known to be in my possession. An hour or more had passed in this way, when I heard low but excited voices at tho further end of the piazza. Turning in that direction I saw Miss Stanley leaning against a pillar, her head thrown haughtily back while before her stood Mr. Kuler, evidently under tho greatest excitement, talking in angry, reproachful tones, his

accustom­

ed to bathe in asses' milk, and it is said that Paris physicians frequently prescribe a bath in wine, which is afterward' bottled and exported for American use. Some of the mistresses of Charles tho Second bathed in milk, which was afterward sold at half price to the poor. But these all palo into insignificance beside baths which are proposed out in Nevada, where they profess to have dis-'% covered a spring, tho water of which

bo distinguished in taste from,

chickcn soun. A bath-house has been, erected on the premises, and chickensoup baths will be added to the great, variety prescribe by physicians. Chickoo-JBUP baths must eclipso every thing lafne way of ablutions which tho world has yet seen. ,,

Fr. WTRICITV OK THE

A

—According to

Atlantic

t, AN Tl c/f'

A111. K.

Prof. Zantesdeschi, the

submarine cable may be con­

sidered as a Leydcn jar, in which, when the inner insulated wires aro

carrying

a

message from America to Europe, thoso, forming the outer layer should reconvcy it from Europe to America. He therefore suggests that instruments be established at each end of the cable, bv which the sender

of

the messago

can

ascertain, by indications at his elbow, whether his dispatch has been received at the opposite extremity as he transmitted it.

TITK SKNSATION

OF THE

TIJKY.—Herz fc

IOTII CKN-

Arnold's Skirt Factory.

Corset Emporium and Fancy Bazaar,, 89 Main street, between 3d and lth.