Page:Peterson's Magazine 1842, Volume I.pdf/217

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182
THE LADY'S
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Jove.” “But no,” said another, “that cannot be; for ‘whte would not be too proud to have the good end beautiful Miss Kate?” But that young girl waa not far from the truth, Kale Llewellyn had bestowed all the ardor and affection of her young heart on one who hed never breathed « word of love to her. A. young noldier, whose merits bore a name of unblemished honor, fand e character which promised to rank isn amang the fgroat ones of the aos his fouls, the poverty of e younger ae But, toa tnind auch as Kate's, there was a sym pathy in this high-born spirit, ‘and the noble bearing of this graceful form, which bespoke & frank and open hneart; and though their acquaintance had been short, the impression of this, her first Tove, was instis She felt loved her, and what happiness it was, when a Tetter, breathing all the honor of bis bielt principles, and. all the diffidence of his unobtrusive nature, came to ber Another, craving permission to address Ter daughter! Bur how great the triat when, the first excitement over, her mother represented to her, what het own heart acknowledged to her as too true, the madness of uniting herself to one on whom she would entail a poverty bith- erto unknown to him and to her. To him! that was the deciding point; and with the pelfeacrifice which ‘soman’s Tove only knows, and = senso of Silisl obo- Fience, she dovired a refusal to he returned s and ‘nothing reached the ears of that beloved one, until the name of Eaward Dalrymple appeared in the list of departures for the Peninsular.

From that hour, the sadness that lad been gradually growing upon het increased; and all the proffered wealth ‘and titles that crowded to her feet caused not for mo- ment one thought (reasonable to the younger s9n- All notiecd the change, but Mrs, Jlewellyn less than eny 5 for Kate's struggles to appear the same to her mother had deceived her. In the gay world she was act down fan a regular flirts too great a eoquette to marry. «But if she did not mind she would die an old maid.” To Emily Melville only bad Kate confided her secret; and her confidence was repaid with a fiiendsbip 9s devoted, as faithful, as her fond heart could wish,

One summer's evening the two friends were enjoying the beautiés of the scenery. Kate was more cheerful than she had been for some time, aud Emily hoped from her Jong silence on the past, that time had effected 0 aalotary change. And, oh! how thankful she was! for she knew that which she had long wished to commoni- cate; but feared to do 30, dreading the effect it might produce.

"Now che thought was a good opportunity ; and putting



her arm round Kate’s neck, she ssid,

‘eHow glad I am, dear Kate, thot you scom to have got over the recollection of the celebrated Lientenant; For 1 beard the other day that he bas gained e wife a8 well ax laurels in Spain.” $

But what were her feelings when Kate, starting up, throw berielf upon her knecs, and clusping her bends in agony, gasped out, =

1 Bios, bless hia, and rnake him happy! God's will be donc!” and in another instant she lay senseless on the ground.

"Phey were far from the house, and Emily was hesi- tating what to do, when Kate recovered, and faltered out,

Tam better now, dearest, Icon walk home,” and she added, grasping Enuily’s arm, * Never breathe this ve monial being, my dearest friend, Tt io all over now!”

The guy halls of Glyndervin looked desolute and gloomy. ‘The servants wondered about the house with eclows stops, whiapering to each other with eounte vances of woe, Silence dwelt there undisturbed, eave by the subbing answers of some weeping maid to the ious inguiries of the many poor, and aged, and in- firm, who hosbanded their feebleness to come and inquire for the invalid, who there Juid in all the agonies of & raging fever—their own beloved Miss Kate.

"There, in a room darkened with curtains end rich stuffs, whose massive draperies seemed to mock the frailty of human nature, ley the ettenaated form ofa fair girl, pale as marble, motionless as a statoe; Bot breath disturbed the atiliness of thono pallid lipes ne sign of life was een in the heavings of the bosom; wil Teaoted, if not doath itself, nearer approach to it than sleep. It was indeed, the enxions, nervous, terrible crisis of a fever. The only outward proof that Death did not dwell in that chamber was the countenances of the group which surrounded the bed. On one side the doctor kept bie attentive watch, his hand gently pressing the seat of Jife, his ear bent with profound ettention 10 the mouth of his patient, With eyes uptumed to heaven, and hands clasped in earnest supplication, knelt a white-haited okd man, the venerable purish priest, Be side him also-knelt a lovely girl, whose dork eyes were fixed ap by fascination, on the face of her who lay 9° till, and nearest to the insalid, clasping her Srogile hand, there half lay upon the bed, half knelt upon the ground, the woestricken figure of a despoiring mother ! ‘What mpeechtess agony was depicted on thet counter paneo? Oh! would it e'er know peace again! Hour ater hour thot group remained unmoved and motionless waiting the moment that human wisdom wad assigned we the one which would restore to fife that being they Joved eo fondly, or bear her to another warld,and to her kindred spirits.

"Phe time arrived. Ob! what untold agony wos there accumulated! But hush! the dread stillness is broken hy a song, swoet, musical, which seems to Sill the sir with its melody. Can it be an engel’s voice, calling to | sheie ow sister to come and dvvell with ber? or is it | the voice of merey, that grants to earth a continuance of