KATE LLEWELLYN .
BY H. SYMMES.
SITUATED in one of the most picturesque counties of Wales, Glyndervin was deservedly admired for the splendor of its mansion, and the beauty of the scenery by which it was surrounded. Commanding an extensive view of finely-grouped mountains, a broad, winding river, and rich woodlands, it also possessed unequalled charms in the luxuriance of its shrubberies, the gaiety of its gardens, and the endless variety of graceful trees, which intermingled their varied foliage in all the matchless loveliness of nature. The house was of the Italian style of architecture, adorned with numerous terraces, bright fountains, costly marbles, and all the tasteful decoration peculiar to that style.
The period at which our tale commences was a bright evening in the May of 18-, when the beauty of the landscape was heightened by the brilliant glow of the setting sun, which " bathed in a flood of light" mountain, valley, wood, and water ; and the rich melodies of the songsters of the wood, as they warbled forth their evening hymn, charmed the ear, and added fresh beauties to the inanimate objects. It was, indeed, a scene calculated to inspire all those who looked upon it with feelings of happiness, such as are derived from the contemplation of the glories of nature, and which, whether clad in smiles or frowns, cannot fail to elevate the mind of man, and inspire it with holy admiration and sacred thoughts. Joyous as nature was around Glyndervin, and calculated as it was to fix the attention of all within her reach, there were two persons seated at the open window of the mansion who seemed unconscious of the beauty by which they were surrounded. A settled melancholy sat upon their features, and their eyes were directed upon the form of a fair girl, who lay on a couch between them. The elder of the two was a lady of perhaps some fifty years, though sorrow and care had stamped upon her fine countenance the furrows of many more ; and the present expression of grief was only equalled by the settled melancholy of the lovely girl, who with herself was watching the pale face of the fragile being beside them . What a contrast to the joy and beauty of the scene without ! The beauty of the flowers, that filled the room with their sweetness, the melody of the birds, all were unseen, unheeded, by those sad watchers. Every sense, every feeling, seemed concentrated in that form, so delicate, so fragile, so fair, so motionless, you would have thought it the spiritless body of an angel, did not the bright though pensive expression that lighted up the heaven-directed face show that a spirit that owned more of heaven than earth dwelt there ; nor did she seem insensible to those objects which her companions did not heed for the bright eyes wandered from flower to
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flower, from hill to dale, and a tear trembled on the lid : an offering, perhaps, to those past days, when she, so young, and bright, and joyous, bounded among the flowers with the butterflies, and made the woods resound with the silver tones of her merry voice- but it . died in its beauty, as again they were upturned to the blue sky above, with a smile so sweet, so lovely- oh ! it was too bright for earth ! The elder lady's sadness seemed to lighten, as she whispered, "Does the air refresh you, dearest ?" " Yes, dear mother, thank you," was the only answer. Soon after, they wished to remove her from the chilli. ness of the evening ; but that fair young girl prayed to remain, to watch the dying glories of the King of Light ; and as she lay upon her couch, one of the songsters of the wood left his companions in the grove, and, flying into the window, stationed himself unabashed upon the ground, and pouring forth a gush of melody , soft yet rich, flew gently out again, and perched upon the window sill, singing still. What chord did the young bird strike in that sad, aching heart ? Why was that fragile form borne, senseless, away in her mother's arms ? Three years before, Kate Llewellyn had entered upon the world a lovely, bright, and joyous girl ; worshipped in society for her beauty and accomplishments ; adored at home for her amiability, her gentleness, her goodness. The idol of the poor, her chief delight was to visit their humble dwellings, and relieve with a generous hand and kind voice their bodily and mental cares ; and fully was her attention repaid by the welcome that ever greeted her appearance. The children would leave their play to gain a smile from kind Miss Kate ; and not one of all those motley groups but had a word of kindness, or a gentle admonition, or some inquiry, from that dear Miss Kate. The aged blessed her as she passed ; and by old and young, parents and children, her coming was hailed as the visit of a ministering angel. Often by the bed of sickness might she, the worshipped idol of the rich and great, be seen soothing the miseries of decaying nature, and pouring into the sick man's car the treasures of the Book of Life. And, oh ! how her rich voice grew richer, and her gentle manner more eager, as she read those lines she herself had studied so diligently. About two years ago, Kate's own children , her adopted poor, noticed a great change come o'er their " dear young lady." The joyous smile was seen more seldom ; her voice had lost its silver laugh ; a shade of melancholy was upon her face, and sometimes even a tear would glisten in her soft blue eye. Various were the surmises as to the cause of this alteration . None could tell why it should be. " Perhaps she was ill." " Perhaps one of the friends she loved so well was ill." " Perhaps," said a pretty newly-married girl, " perhaps she is crossed in
