Part 1 (2/2)

Years rolled on in quick succession, and our lovely heroine had reached her nineteenth year, beloved and ad love and happiness around to all that were blessed with her presence

At the co, she was seated beneath a stately oak, with her brothers, and Lewis Mortie, who had ever been a constant visitor and welcoradually grown up between them, and he had now beco felt a strong attachnorant of the feeling which existed between theh her father had often impressed upon her youthful mind the remembrance of one so fondly cherished in his memory

Fostina had never experiencedeye and joyous countenance spoke the true index of the soul within Froence, and received every care and attention from Aunt Aubrey, which a fond mother could bestow, and she therefore felt not her loss Her father, too, had devoted most of his time, since the death of his wife, to the care of her tender offspring

But O, how soon was the happiness of Fostina to end! O lovely maiden!

if the dark curtain of futurity could be raised, and thou be permitted to behold what awaits thee in the distant future,heart with joy, would be forever crushed!

A sudden and awful calaain visited the quiet and happy hoe of the Mountain Glen The er heard to resound over the Mountain

That dreadful malady, the cholera, which has struck such horror and dread upon the inhabitants of our country of late, had long prevailed in the village of S----, sweeping off a great number of its inhabitants

It had found its way into the peaceful cot of Mr Woodman, and marked three of its happy inmates as victims The once happy ho Mr Woodest son, and Aunt Aubrey fell victims to the disease which proved fatal in its course

Fostina and her two elder brothers were the only surviving members of the unfortunate fa parent and faithful nurse who had watched over them since the death of their mother

Poor Fostina would have sunk under this heavy affliction, had it not been for the kind attention of her brothers, and the ever watchful care of Lewis Mortientle and confiding Fostina in the time of this severe affliction

Weeks rolled on, and Lewis continued to remain with the bereaved family, as they would not consent to have him depart

But, alas! as time passed by, our lovely heroine was doo heart's affections

Her brothers had long conte their native land for California in pursuit of gold, for which so many have sacrificed their ho the desired treasure They had made known their intention to Lewis Mortimer, and had prevailed on him to accompany them In vain did Fostina plead with them not to leave their home; but when she saw that their determination was fixed, she endeavored to persuade Lewis not to join them She implored him not to forsake her, now that she was bereaved of her beloved friends He told her that the time of his absence would pass swiftly on, and he should soon return with thethat short period Again he told her that he ht necessary to effect their happiness in future years

O vain ambition! delusive hope! Too many there are who think that true happiness cannot be enjoyed without the possession of wealth

Not many years after Mr Woodman had settled at the Mountain, his brother-in-law visited the place, and concluded to settle in the village, which he did, establishi+ng his residence a few ed by the brothers of Fostina, after their father's death, that Mr Aubrey, their uncle, should take possession of the Cottage until their return, on condition that he would take charge of their beloved sister during their absence With the kind assurance of this from their uncle, the brothers took leave of their affectionate sister, pro a hasty return to theirht of absenting hiht upon his feelings that he al his native land But the entreaties of his youthful friends, and the desire for gold which filled his breast, together with the repeated assurances of Fostina's uncle, that he would watch over and protect her during his absence, induced hi moment! The time had now come that he must bid adieu to his fair betrothed! The lovely Fostina fell on his bosouish He bid her aith calmness his return, when they should never more be separated One fond e lips of Lewis Mortimer, and they parted!

CHAPTER II

_The shi+p Essex sails for California, with Lewis Mortimer and the two Brothers on Board--Fostina's Grief at their Departure--Her Uncle's Family--Fostina's Dream--Rineldo Aubrey_

[Illustration]

It was on the firstin June in 184-, that the noble shi+p Essex set sail for the distant lands of California, with a large crew of enterprising youngas Oscar Woodman, his brother Calvin, and Lewis Mortis as they bid adieu to their quiet ho look at their native shore

But soon the bright visions of the future, which filled their youthful hearts, dispelled the gloo around them as they parted with their friends