The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-08-07

4
of an hour from the time of trial.
a" Give me the oaths and promises you
mentioned out of your bosom, Sarah,
that may show them TO Gabriel when
he comes. And, once more promise,
by all the sunny and snowy days we
have sat together, in the same plaid on
the hillside, or in the lonesome char
coal plots, and nests O. green in the
woods, that ifmy Gabriel-dId say my
Gabriel has forsaken you aud deceiv-
ed me thus, never shall his lips touch
mine again,-never shall he put ring on
my tinger,-never shall this head lie in
his bosom,-no, never, never; nOtwith-
standing all the happy too happy hours
and days have been with him, near, or
at distance,-in the singing-school at
harvest home,- this room, and in
Gods own house. So help me, God,
but ! will keep this vow -
Poor Sarah told, in a few hurried
words, the story of her love and de-
sertion-how Gabriel, whose business as
a shepherd often took him into Mon
trath parish, had wooed her, and fixed
every thing about their marriage, near
ly year ago. But that he had become
causelessly jealous of young man
whom she scarcely knew had accused
her of want of virtue, and for many
months had never once come to see her.
+" This morning, for the first time, |
heard, for certainty, from one who
knew Gabriel well. and all his concerns,
that the banns had been proclaimed in
the church, between him and you; and
that, in day or two, you were to be
married. And though | felt drowning, |
determined to make struggle for nv
life-for oh Mary, Mary, my heart is
not like your heart it wants your wis
dom, your meekness, your piety; and
if am to lose Gabriel, will destroy
my miserable life, and face he wrath
of God sitting in judgment upon sin
ners "
At this burst of passion Sarah hid her
face with her hands, as if sensible that
she had committed blasphemy. Mary,
seeing her w~eared. hungry, thirsty, and
teverlsh, spoke TO her 10 the most sooth-
ing manner; led her into the little par
lour called the Spence, then removed
into ii the table, with the oaten cakes,
butter and milk; aud telling her to take
some retreshment, and then lie down on
the bed, bnt on no account 10 leave the
room till called for, gave her a sisterly
kiss, and left her. In few minutes the
outer door opened, and Gabriel enter
ed.
The lover said, How is my sweet
Mary?' with beaming countenance !;
and gently drawing her TO his bosom, he
kissed her cheek. Mary didnot-could
not--wished not--at once to release
herself from his EMBEDDING arms. Gabri-
ell had always treated her as the WON
an who was to be his wife and though
at this time her heart knew lis own Bit
terness, yet she repealed not endear-
ments that were so lately delightful, and
suffered him TO take her almost in his
arms to their accustomed seat. He held
her hand in his, aud began to- speak in
his usual kind AID affectionate language.
Kind and afeclionate il was, for though
he ought not to have done so. he loved
her, as he thought, better than his life.
Her heart could not, in one small short
hour, forget whole year Of bliss. She
could not yet fling away. with her own
hand, what, only few minutes ago,
seemed to her the hope of Paradise.
Her soul sickened within her, and she
wished that she were dead, or never had
been born.
so Gabriel Gabriel! well indeed
have | loved you; nor will | say. after
all TINT has passed between us, that YOU
are not deserving, after all. Of better
love than mine. Vain were il 10 deny
my love either TO you or nv own soul.
But look me IN the face-be not wrath.
ful-think not to hide the truth either
from yourself or me, for that now is
impossible,-but tell me solemnly. as
you will answer to God at the Judgment
day, if you know any reason why must
not be your welded wife ?'' She kept
her mild eyes fixed upon him; but he
hung down his head, and uttered not a
word, for ne was guilty before her, be-
fore his own soul, and before God.
Gabriel, never could we have been hap
py; for you often told me, that ali the secrets
OF your heart were known unto me, yet never
DID you tell ne this. How could you des, ri
the poor innocent creature that loved YOU -
| and how could you use me so, who loved you
perhaps as well as she, but whose heart God