"No. by all the bright cupids of fairy
realms, I swear to you, Frank, my dear fellow, I never was so serious about any thing in my life, since the time when I played the ghostly tin-pan drummer to the edification of old Aunt Nabby."
"But allowing you are in earnest, you have overlooked two important points in asking me to accompany you."
" Ha ! what are they ? "
" My father, and Lilian."
" Tut, tut, tut, Frank don't be a fool ! "
" That is exactly what I am trying to guard against, Charley. Shall I assist you a little ? "
" Pshaw! stuff! nonsence ! what have your father and my sister to do with it ? "
" Why, the first might refuse his con sent to my going : and the last might con sent to have my place filled in my absence."
" Well," answered Charley, " as to your father, I will pledge you my word that he will give his consent ; and for Lilian, that she will await your return, if it be six years hence."
" You will ?" cried I, jumping up so suddenly as to upset the table on to the toes of my companion ; "you will pledge your word to this, Charley ? "
" A plague on that table and your great haste ! " muttered Huntly, hobbling about the room, and holding his bruised foot in his hand. " Yes, I will pledge you my honor to both, if you will say the word."
" Enough ! here is my hand on it, " I cried.
Down went the bruised foot, and the next moment I felt the bones of my fingers crack under the powerful pressure of those of my enthusiastic friend.
" Now, Frank," he almost shouted, ca pering about the room for joy, "you are pledged beyond a back-out."
" On condition you make your pledge good."
" I will do it or die."
" Then enough is said."
"Hurrah, then, for a hack!" cried Charles Huntly, darting out of my room and down a flight of stairs, to the imminent danger of his neck : " Hurrah for a hack ! and hoi for the Rocky Mountains, Oregon, and the far, Far West ! "
10
THE PRAIRIE FLO.WER; OR
CHAPTER II
-SEPARA-
PREPA RATION LOVE JEALOUSY-
TION AND DEPARTURE.
IT was a clear, starlight evening in the mon li of May, that I found myself slow ly Healing tlie tine mansion of Benjamin! Huiuly, to behold my sweet and dearly | loved Lilian, perh aps for the last time I felt strangely, as 1 had never felt before. A week had elapsed, and all had been ar ranged for my departure, at an early hour on the following morning. The consent $f my parents had been reluctantly yield ed to the powerful eloquence anil soft per suasion of my enthusiastic friend. Al- readv had mv trunks been packed, and my ptirsr title. I, for the long separation. Al ready had 1 listened to the parental advice of my failier, and seen the tears of sorrow in my beloved mother's eyes. The strug gle of consent, but not of parting, was now over , and 1 was wending my way to ' the house of my friend, to take leave of one, at the thought of whom my heart ever beat rapidly. A.S I said before, I felt strangely. I was about to bid adieu a Long, perchance a last, adieu to all the bright scenes of my childhood to friends near and dear to me to father and mother and, last, though not least, to tht idol of my purer thoughts.
It is hard, very hard, to leave the scenes of our youth for the first time to venture forth, we scarce know whither, like a fea ther borne unconsciously upon the strong est current of air. However much we may plan in secret however strikingly we may draw the pictures of adventure in the rosy colors of anticipation however great may be our jnclination to go and see the world for ourselves ; yet when the time of separation comes when we are about to cut the cord that binds us to all we have ever seen and loved the heart grows sad, and soft, and we feel as if staggering un der the weight of some impending ca- Jamity.
Thus I felt, and a great deal more which I cannot describe, as I paused for a mo ment upon the steps of Lilian Huntly's dwelling, to compose my agitated nerves and appear calm and collected. Why was
it that my agitation shoald now only in crease ? Why could I never appear before her as before any other I had ever seen cool and collected ? Why must my heart always flutter so, and my usually free- coming words stick chokingly in my throat, or congeal upon my lips ? Was it because I loved her ? I would have given half mv expected inheritance to talk to her freely as I could to others. I had often tried it, but in vain. I always made a fool of my self, and I knew it. 1 fancied Lilian knew it too ; and this only added to my embar rassment. My heart and my self-esteem whispered me I was loved ; but my bash ful fears told me the contrary. I had never tested her, and now I was about to do it. If she loved me, she would plainly show it the moment of separation. I was shortly to be made happy or miserable, or miser ably happy ; for if she loved me, I should be happy in knowing it unhappy in the thought of a long parting. 1 trembled as I thought, until my knees smote each other as did Belshazzer's.
At last, desperate effort, I assumed a courage I did not possess, and, ascending the steps, rang the bell. In another min ute I was ushered into the parlor, and the servant who admitted me was already gone to summon my fair judge. 1 gazed around upon the beautiful paintings which adorn ed the walls, but without seeing them. I felt like a guilty culprit about to hear hi$ doom. Could money, at that moment, have purchased me easy assurance,! would have had it at any price. 1 remained in suspense some five minutes, when the dool opened and Lilian entered entered like a fairy being into her golden realms.
Heavens ! how lovely! I had never seen her, or ought else, look so eiichantingly sweet before. In complexion and fea tures, Lilian strongly resembled her bro ther save that everything was more soft, more effeminate, more exquisitely beauti ful, Her skin was fair, and clear as ala baster, with a slight tint of crimson upon each cheek. Her features were all of the finest mold. Her large, soft, dear blue eyes, were rendered extremely fascinating by long, drooping, delicately fringed lashes. In their depths was a soul of Undei thought, feeling, and love ; and, most joy ful discovery ! they were now s\ imniing in
ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST
11
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 stam mered, " 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 a* indifferent as her- belf. She sh
ould 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
j 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 wak ing. 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, withoui. draw ing you ii; glowing colors, the foremost and principal figure. 1 have thought of
THE PRAIRIE FLOWER; OR,
you by day, dreamed of you by night, for many years have longed to be near you, have worshiped you in secret, and yet have never dared to tell you so till now. Whenever tempted to do wrong, your love ly face has been my Mentor, to chide and restrain me. I have loved you, Lilian deeply, passionately, devotedly loved you, with the first, undefiled love of an ardent temperament as I never can love another. I am about to lea?e, and I tell you this, and only ask if I am loved in return. Speak ! let your sweet lips confirm what your looks have spoken, and I am the happiest of human beings ! "
1 ceased, and paused for an answer. While speaking, the head of the fair being at whose feet I kneeled, gradually, uncon sciously as it were, sunk upon my shoulder, where it now reposed in all its loveliness. She raised her face, crimson with blushes and wet with tears. Her hand, still held in mine, trembled and her lips, as she essayed to speak.
"0, Francis!" she at length articu lated then there came a silence.
" Say on, Lilian, and make me happy ! "
" No, no ! " she said, quickly, looking hurriedly around her, as if fearful of the presence of another. " No, no, Francis not now some other time." I " But you forget, dear Lilian, that I am about to leave you that there may
fumed with the oil of roses and mu.sk, took one step over the threshhold, and then, perceiving me, drew quickly back, evi dently as much surprised and embarrassed as myself. Meantime, I had sprung to my feet, with a whirlpool of feelings in my breast, impossible to be described the predominant of which were anger, morti fication and jealousy. Lilian, too, had started up, and turned toward the strangei (stranger to me) with an embarrassed air.
" I crave pardon," said the intruder, col oring, " for my seeming rudeness in ap pearing thus unannounced. I found the outer door ajar, and made bold to step within, without ringing, not thinking to meet with any here save the regular mem bers of the family."
" Then you must either be a constant visiter, or no gentleman, to take even that liberty," I rejoined in a sarcastic tone of. some warmth.
The face of the intruder became aj scarlet at my words, and his eyes flashed indignantly, as he replied, in a sharp, pointed tone :
" I am a regular visiter here, sir ! bul your face is new to me."
" Indeed ! " I rejoined, with an express ion of contempt, turning my eyes upon Lilian, as if for an explanation.
She was trembling with embarrassment, and her features alternately flushing and
never be a time like the present ! Only | paling, like the rapid playings of an au
love me, fair one, and it is all I
she stammered, and
aay you ask."
" But but- then paused.
" Ha ! then I have after all mistaken friendship for love ! " I returned, quickly, starting abruptly to my feet, and feeling some slight symptoms of indignation.
A*ain her soft, reproachful eye met mine, and every angry impulse vanished before its heavenly ray.
" You mistake me, Francis," she said. " I I '' another pause.
Again was I at her feet, ashamed of my hasty display of jealous temper.
" The word is trembling upon your lips, Lilian," I exclaimed ; " speak it, and "
At this moment, to my astonishment and chagrin, the door suddenly opened, and an elegantly dressed gentleman, some fire or six years my senior, highly per-
roro borealis. She hastened to speak, to cover her confusion, and prevent, if pos sible, any further unpleasant remarks.
"This this is Mr. Wharton, Fran cis," she stammered : "a gentleman whc calls here occasionally. Mr. Whar Wharton, Mr. Leighton an old friend of mine."
Of course the rules of good breeding required us to bow on being thus formally introduced to each other ; and this we did. but very stiffly, and with an air of secret hate and defiance. That moment we knew ourselves to be rivals, and conse quently enemies ; for it was impossible there should be any love between us. As for myself, I was powerfully excited, and indignant beyond the bounds of propri ety. Hasty, passionate, and jealous in my disposition, I wa* unfit to lore any one ; for to me,
ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST.
" Trifles light as air, «T era confirmations strong as proofs of hoi y writ."
in consequence of which I only loved, to be miserable, and render the object loved equally so.
I exchanged no more words with Whar- lon, but turning to Lilian, I said, with all the coolness my boiling blood would al low :
" So, then, the riddle is solved. Had you been frank enough to have informed me that you expected particular company to-night, I should certainly, ere this, have ridden you of my presence."
" 0, Francis," cried Lilian, with an im ploring, reproachful look, from eyes moist with tears ; " you are mistaken ! indeed, indeed you are !"
" 0, yes, of course," I replied, bitterly, as I coolly drew on my glove, and prepared to take my final leave : "Of course I am, or was, mistaken ; but I shall not be like ly to be again immediately, I presume. Farewell, Miss Huntly!" I continued, coldly, rudely extending to her my gloved hand, " I shall probably never see you again, as I leave at an early hour in the morning."
0, what a look she gave me at that mo ment, of sweet, heart-touching, mournful reproach a look which haunted me for days, for weeks, for months, for years a look which, were I an artist, would per- ad venture be found upon every face I painted.
il Francis ! " she gasped, and sunk faint ing and colorless upon a seat.
This, in spite of my jealous feelings, touched me sensibly, and I ws on the point of springing to her aid, when Whar- ton passed me for the purpose. I could stand no more the devil was in me and with a scarcely suppressed imprecation upon my lips, I rushed out of the apart ment.
In the hal
l I met my friend Charles.
"Ha! Frank," he exclaimed, "you
seem flurried. What has happened ? "
" Ask me no questions," I replied,
feinting with my finger to the apaitment had just quitted. " Give my kind re gards to your parents, and bid them fare well for me."
" But stay a moment."
" No ! I must go ; " and 1 seized my hat and made for the door.
" All ready for the start in the morning. I suppose, Frank ? "
" Ay, for to-night, if you choose," Ire- plied, as I hurried down the steps leading to the street.
I paused a moment, as my feet touched the pavement, and as 1 did so, heard the voice of Huntly summoning the servants to the aid of his sister. I waited to hear no more, but darted away down the street, like a madman, scarcely knowing, and caring less, whither I went.
Such was my parting with Lilian Huntiy.
At last I found my way home, and soft ly stealing to my chamber, threw myself upon the bed but not to sleep. I slept none that night. My brain was like a heated furnace. I rolled to and fro in the greatest mental torture I had 'ever en dured.
Morn came at last, and with it Charles Huntly, all prepared for the journey. I ate a morsel, pointed out my trunks, sighed a farewell to my parents, jumped into the carriage, and was whirled away with great rapidity.
Charles looked pale and sad, and was not loquacious. I wanted him to talk to speak of Lilian but he carefully avoided any allusion to her. I was dying to know how he left her, but would not question him on the subject. I inquired how he left the family, however, and he replied :
Bennett, Emerson - Prairie Flower 01 Page 2
