Page:The Prairie Flower; Or, Adventures In the Far West.djvu/21

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tears. She loved me then, and had been weeping at the th night of my leaving her! The expression of her sweet countenance, too, was sad. Her' plump, cherry lips were just parted, as if about to speak, dis playing two rows of beautiful pearls. Her light hair was arranged a la mode, and a bright, glowing diamond sparkled on her forehead. Her exquisitely faultless form was arrayed in the emblem of purity, a snow-white dress, which almost made me fancv her an etherial, a spiritual visitor.

She advanced with a timid step, and held out her snowy, dimple hand. She tried to speak, but language failed her. I tried to do the same, with a like success. I made a step toward her, and her hand touched mine Heavens! what emotions thrilled me! I was beside myself with the deepest joy I had ever felt. I forgot formality, caution, prudence, everything and before I knew what I was about, or how I did it, my lips were pressed to hers. The pressure was returned, one moment, and then she sprang away, blushing and confused. Think what you may of it, reader, that was one of the happiest mo ments of my life.

1 was the tirst to break the silence, and trembled as I did so.

"i have come, Miss Lilian," I stammered, "to to"

"I understand, "she murmured, faintly, sinking into a seat : while slowly the tears, that could not be suppressed, stole down her nuw pale cheeks : " I understand : I am about to lose a a brother, and a a friend."

Friend! heavens! how cold that word! It should be clipped by every lexicograph er ami sent out of existence! Friend! Why it chilled my blood, and. for the moment made mt- an enemy of the language which harbored it. Was there, then, no olher term one a little more ende ring? and if so, why did she select one so cold! Perhaps she meant it! Perhaps her grief was only for the loss of a brother, and if I iiiiist use the hateful term a friend! In that case she could not love me. I had ona more made a fool of myself. But I would not do so again. I would let her see that 1 could be as indifferent as herself. She should not have cause to boast TO after times perhaps when wedded to

another how much I loved her, and how she pitied me. No! I Would be cold as marble ay! as a Lapland iceberg. These thoughts went through my mind rapidly; and scarcely a minute's pause succeeded, before I said, coolly enough, heaven knows:

"Yes, Miss Huntly, 1 have come to bid you a last farewell, and have but a few spare moments to do it in."

I looked at her indifferently as 1 sjr ke,

and oh! what would I not have given to

i recall those words! Her soft, blue eyes

turned full upon me, with a mingled ex-

pression of surprise and reproach, which

i shall never forget. Her cheeks grew

more deadly pale than ever; and her lips

quivered, as she sighed, almost inaudibly,

my name. There was nc withstanding

this; and on the impulse of the moment,

1 threw myself at her feet, and exclaimed :

"0, Lilian! sweet Lilian! I have wrong-.-d TUU. You love me, Lilian you iove me!"

She did not answer, but her look spoke volumes, as her eyes modestly sought the ground, and a slight flush beautifully tint ed her cheeks. 1 seized her hand raptur ously, and pressed it warmly. She did not return the pressure, neither did she seek to avoid it. I was in raptures, and I lelt a soul of eloquence on my lips. |

"1 wronged you, Lilian," I said, pas sionately. "I thought you were cold- hearted, because you called me friend. But I was mistaken, I see! I was expect ing a warmer term; but I had forgotten it was not your place to use it tirst. Lilian, dear Lilian permit me so to call you I am about to go far away; and God only knows when, if ever, 1 shall return. Par don me, then, if I improve the present mo ments, and speak the sentiments of my heart. 1 have known you. Lilian, from a child; but I have known you only to love and adore. You hav, been the ideal of my boyish dreams, either sleeping or waking. The perfection ol divine beauty, wii.li me, has had but one standard youi own sweet, faultless face and lorni. Every happy thought of my existence, has some how had a connection with yourself. I could nol pic lure happiness, without drawing you ii; glowing colors, the foremost and principal figure. 1 have th