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Dcyutcti to Citcratuvc, Science, and 3.vt, tljc Sons of Qtanpcramc, <Di>& JTcllott>sl)ip, ittasonvn, anb ©ciural jhitclligcnct.
VOLUME I.
OKI SIS A fc VAIBS .
CAROLINE LASCELLES,
•R, “THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEAN'S.*’
ST Miff *UIN *. iTUART.
CHAPTER I.
It was a glorious sun-set, and the last rays of
the (lav-god seemed to linger lovingly on the
bright'flowers, giving them a radiance and a
beauty not iheir own. Oil! it was indeed a lovely
scene, and L wish you could have stood where 1
did, to gaze upon it. The old-fashioned mansion
half palace, half cottage —with its marble pil
lars, and vet lonely roof; its festoons of multi
fiora, woodbine and jasmine, clinging and turn
ing around it, veiling deformities, and throwing
out the whiteness of its pillars and fa gride. and
the darkness of its “ time honored ” eaves in bold
contrast, mellowed by the ever cheerful green of
foliage.
And those two figures, in their cloud-like, float
ing muslins, half sitting, half reclining, on the
broad window seat, were in keeping with the rich
beauty of the scene. What a gladsome, joyous
face, is that of the younger of the two; and how
graceful the motion with which she throws back
her soft, sunny ringlets, of light brown, which,
j catching the sun’s last rays, are gilded and glis
tening as if powdered with gold, and how be
-1 witching the glance with which she lifts those
glorious, hazel eyes, to her companion, who,
though in fact, hut two years her senior, appears
much older, from the pensive gravity of her face.
That face, I would not have you think was
(troubled and agitated, as if the dark cloud of
affliction was noiv upon it, but rather the shadow
of the storm that had been. No! though not so
bright, so gleeful as tlie younger one, it was a
(]uiet, sober beauty —a face which we love when
m trouble, fall of sympathy and of feeling—and
Uie voice too, was soft and sweet, as she checked
the somewhat angry exclamation of her cousin,
Caroline Lascelles.
tShame on you! cousin Leonore, to love him
still V’
“No, no! Carry, you are mistaken. Believe
me, 1 <!o not low him ; and yet 1 could not bring
nnsclt to do as you sav. * Indeed, indeed, Coz;”
the added more earnestly, as Caroline, still doubt
pgi\ shook her head, and looked up mischievously
ier ’ “indeed 1 do not, let me explain, if you
an . 4 u- f Paving listener so long.”
L>l ‘ • C'Oz, as’tis you who are the talker this
! ITIe ’ { ihe listener, i’ll even tolerate it for
e ; sa kc ot novelty. But, like a good story-teller,
0e g Jn at the beginning.”
l 153 novv tw o years since, and I, but “ sweet
when full of fun and frolic, as you
*re now, I Went ()n , ri y long anticipated visit to
* \ Unt * asnn in the city. It is needless to tell
seen ldt d T B ° llr v iH n o e beaux, 1 had never
fctmed “ 10 C come U P To the beaux ideal
lively u rniU( i S() seventeen found me a
which h'ia aUIIC with an affectionate heart,
which own other love besides that
and yourself ° av t;U l)er, mother, brother llarrv
of vounrr ’ Sweet C °z. Aunt Mason was fond
J2l ,T P!my ’ Bnd ber house was always
*Twas there U ° n for the beaux and belies,
told von Ii Il j S ! - Saw George Lester, and, as 1
a bare ’ L h ' m -. He was poor,-had only
He was nf? 11 ] Jls profession to depend on.
talks, to K-n ‘Attendant at our rules, our
M } oht k als to concerts, and my time glided
su^ ll y for three months, when the
i hence ca me. For the first time
Ine, i liacl & P oken love a
ftose iJr Ks actions, but had not yet given
jpot have and action,s words,—Cousin Carry
tho nCVer a °d f pray you may never
ai chas ln | Xl ° US ’ wear y in g thoughts and doubts
t L SCci one another, so rapidly though my
’ week before my departure. Well! as
I said before, the last day came, and my aunt in
tended to give me a party to bid farewell to my
new friends. Hope reigned in my heart, for he
would certainly come. The evening crept slowly
on. Never before was my glass so anxiously con
sulted ; never before was I so doubtful of my
powers to please ; and as “ manna in the wilder
ness,” fell on my greedy ear, my kind aunt’s
praises, and Carry, dearest, my hopes were real
ized to the full; we were engaged that evening,
and to correspond until he could come and claim
me from my parents. The next morning, l left
the city, and the first week at home passed te
diously enough, for 1 was expecting a letter from
him. You know, dearest, what it is to have “hope
deferred,” when a letter from a loved one is in
question. Oh! y T ou need not blush, for my
brother Harry is a noble fellow, cousin mine, and
’tis not his fault if every mail does not bring you
one of his lengthy epistles, but he and they are
obliged to wait for ships “homeward bound.” It
is sad for me to tell and you to hear, how weeks
grew into months, and those into years, and vet
in all that wearying time I have neither seen him
nor has he written. I could hear, from my aunt,
of his hovering around some new star then shi
ning in their fashionable world ; and yet still fond
ly I made excuses for his neglect, ascribing it to
motives, that would honor instead of debasing
him, till 1 perlbrce was convinced of his unworthi
ness. The struggle was indeed hard, Caroline,
but l nerved myself to it. I destroyed every
memento of happier days, I forbade myself every
thought of him, and 1 now tell you in sober ear
nestness and in truth that I grieve only at my
own waste of affection, and my clothing in such
god-like garb, a poor mortal, whom as a Christian,
L must pity. No! cousin, truly Ido not love Aim,
but I know that I shall never love another.”
“And I, cousin Leonore, would never rest till
1 had his heart—if he had one, whCb 1 doubt —
completely in my power, to use as J would.”
“ Could you, Carry, if my brother should
change, could you play this game of winning, to
make sport of his feelings ?”
“ Yes, Leonore, on my word I Would, did it
break mv own heart in so doing. But do not
mention them together, for day is not more op
posed to darkness than Harry Vernon to George
Lester.”
“ When does Aunt Mason expect you, Carry ?”
“Say us, Leonore.”
“No, 1 do not wish to leave home at this time,
you must spend your three months with her as
promised —alone.”
Lee. do you think I am beautiful ?”
’“Why, Carry, what a question ! could you only
see the blush that is now mantling your cheek,
as you ask it, you yourself would think the an
swer needless-. But why do you ask ? lam sure
mv brother Harry thinks you the realization of a
poet’s dream of beauty.”
“But I want your candid opinion, I without
vanity think 1 am pretty, but mere preftiness does
not answer now. Many, 1 have been told, call me
beautiful. Am l?”
“\ou are, indeed, Carry, what judges may call
a brilliant beauty. But you are more lovely yet,
dear one, to those who know you as we do; yours
are the charms ot the heart too.”
’ “ Would it give you one pang, dearest cousin,
if, in my sojourn at my aunt’s, I should w.n your
recreant knight?” . r
“No; bat would it not raise the jealousy ot a
certain Lieutenant in the Navy, it on his return
from an eighteen months’ cruize, he should find
that, in his absence, his “ lady love had been
Hitting * pour passer It terns. r
“Psha! Leonne, Harry would understand my
motive, will you keep my secret, if you will not
bid me ‘God speed?” , > .
“Yes; but cousin, do not do this thing, tis
beneath a woman to coquet, and how know you
that you may not be caught in the snare with
which vou seek to entrap others.”
SAVANNAH, GA.. THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1849.
“ I’ll take my chance, Leonne, I think my
motive', in this instance, hallows the act. To
slight you, so lovely, so loving, so good. Come
tell me his failings? I would know the weak
points of the garrison I intend to storm.”
“I will not aid you, Caroline.”
“Is he musical*? does he like a woman to be
an independant or a dependant being? one who
will scream at the sight of a spider, or faint when
a poor mouse looses his way ? I shall have to
practise some musical screams, cousin mine, bat
the huntings! ah! there’s the rub.”
“ One thing T will tell you, Caroline, which no ear
has e/er heard from m/ lips. ’ fts his speech rel
ative to myself; ‘7 like not a heart too easily yielded .”
“The miscreant! Well, I’ll promise him, coz.
he’ll never have to complain of me in that respect,
for l carry a talisman, to guard my heart, were
his power seven-fold. But, there goes the tea
bell.”
CHAPTER 11.
“And at the party, to-night, I suppose Miss
Caroline Lascelles, will undoubtedly bear away
the palm from all rivals;” said her pleased uncle
Mason, ns she descended into their drawing-room,
preparatory to accompanying her uncle to Mrs.
Gordon’s soiree.
And he might well hazard the remark; for
never did eye rest on a more beautiful creature.
With the light, silkv curls, soft and glossv as an
infant’s; her splendid eyes, delicate features and
rich complexion ; her lovely form, with its simple#
beautiful dress of white satin, and withal, the
gladsome, child-like glee of voice and step. hffie
might well challenge the world for a rival, anti
Carry knew too she was beautiful ; but, the
knowledge only seemed to make her more tdeas
ed, with those around her to make her so self
possessed, so sure of praise and welcome, that
her very insouciance of attention secured it for
her. Her temper and wilfulness was shewn in a
thousand mischievous and winning ways, which
always won her pardon, even from the offended.
She seemed to have an intuitive knowledge of
character, also, which could enable her to accom
modate herself to a person, almost at once. Mrs.
Gordon’s rooms were well filled when she arrived;
and she as a stranger, of course, created quite a
sensation.
“That beautiful girl! look, dancers, who is
she? whence did she come?” cried George Les
ter, of Mrs. Gordon’s son-in-law, who was near
him.
“ Miss Lascelles, niece of Leonard Mason.”
“Do you know her ? will you introduce me?”
were the next exclamations.
“ Certain! v. Do vou intend to add her name
mJ
to your list of wounded.”
“ dele Jaraima possible; but I only fear to be
mortally wounded myself.”
The introduction was accordingly given ; and
Lester, delighted by her wit and vivacity, and
charmed by her beauty, remained near her alt
the evening, though his share of her attention
was barely* sufficient, to make him think he had
made an agreeable impression. And at other
lime she seemed so entirely pleased and absorbed
with others as to pique him by an appearance ot
utter indifference.
As early as etiquette would allow, Dr. Lester
called on Miss Lascelles, and so morning after
morning found him atrMr. Mason’s, planning some
amusement for the afternoon or next day, which
could ensure his meeting with her, either as an
escort or one of her party. - Let Caroline’s letter
to her cousin Leonore, about tbis time, speak for
her.
“A month here to-day! dearest Leonore, and
though 1 have passed the time, if I may say so,
in a perfect whirl of city amusements, yet, in
deed, it seems an age since I have seen my sweet
cousin, and my dear, good uncle and aunt, they
are all extremely kind to me here. Uncle and
Aunt Mason seem so pleased, and so proud that
my beauty should create such a sensation. And I,
Coz, 1 suppose you think, must he lifted into the
third heavens by this homage to mrs beaux yeux.
Not so,-dearest Leonore; I would rather have an
approving smile from your dear home ones, and
one look from you know who, than a thousand com
pliments from this crowd of worldlings, and vet
you should see how 1 seem to enjoy it. 1 am
never weary of their parties, they think my heart
is in them only. Ah ! that reminds me 1 have
seen your George Lester. lie lives here , almost,
and you should see him, indeed, he has magnifi
cent eyes, though but he does look so loving at me
wi;h them sometimes, that 1 have no tittle trouble
to keep myself from downright laughter. And
vanity too! my masters, Coz, how could you
have ever loved a vain man V I Hatter him so
nicety, not bv words of course, for the man has
sense, but by implication. He also tries to flatter
me, by treating me differently from the others.
I know he wishes to call mv imagination to my
aid, and see a “ love case but not so, Master
George, sometimes, however, I make believe, ns
we used to say, that 1 am delighted, that be
should be the beaux and none other ; and just when
he thinks my heart is all his own, I play “ digni
ty” so grandly. No scolding now, Coz, for 1 am
giving him what he likes — variety. You see I
have found his failing. The other evening, for’
instance, 1 premeditatedly accepted some atten
tion from another gentleman in company, which
he commences to t hink, he alone, has the right to
pay, and he sought an eclaircissement; began a
sort of a lover’s quarrel—You should have seen
the astonishment in my eyes, dearest, at his pre
sumption. lam sure it was quite n tragedy stare,
from the effect produced on the poor man, who
started back, and half uttered an apology. I
enacted, the ‘cool’ for a few days and he was
very humble, so* I restored him to favor again#
l expect he is rather hopeless, and puls himself by
comparison, in the same state with the poor frog,
in the puzzle, who you know jumped two steps
forward, and fell three back. But enough of this
foolishness, 1 must to bed. 1 wish these thee
months were over, Coz, and then 1 should be at
the dear, dear Cottage, and then dear Henry
would be there: and then, and thin —you may
scold me well when I come. Love and kisses to
aunt, uncle and yourself, from your own affec
tionate.” * CARRY.
Another month has elapsed, and the affair is
no longer doubtful, at least on Dr. Lester’s part ;
but, as^Carry’s letter has spoken for her, so let
his own, to one of his intimate friends, about this
time, tell rhe state of his feelings :
“ Hear John—“ Caught at last,” as you sav in
your letter. Yes,’tis no joke now, John, caught
at last.! 1 dwell on these words; they seem to
ring the knel 1 of my bachelor days, for I’ve come
to the serious consideration of ending all my pre
tended affairs of the heart, and settling down*
into a sober benedict, and with one, as poor as
myself, too, John, there’s wonder ! is it not ? But
van should see her, and I need no explanation*
The lovliest, the very lovliest little charmer that
ever eye rested on; and what is more, with all
her shyness and pettish way of concealing the
great ‘secret , she loves me —and I am one, you
know, who agrees \sith the poet, when he says :
*• So she be not fa r for me
Wiiat care I how fair she be !”
I have not, as yet, as they say popped the question,
but you know one can find out such things some
times, without asking for information ; and you
must allow, my friend I have had some considera
ble experience in that way. is so surrounded
by beaux, that I can never have the opportunity I
wish for since making up my mind to marry her.
But there’s plenty of time yet, as 1 see her every
day and feel happy in the innate consciousness
of her loving me. I have sometimes thought she
avoided me, and would write, but have heard her’
say, “no one who has the gift of speech, should’
ever Sddress a lady by letter”—and a lover should
NUMBER IS*