Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-09-16
@0ssfs(caueeus.
VIRGINIA. ST. VICTOR.
An american Tale.



"From my hearts innost core 10 tear
sIove, hope, remembrance, though they are
',Linked with each quivering Ife.string there
ITENmETTA, without uttering sound.
sank, iiieless, upon the grass But VIZ
ginia, who saw that julius had caught
bv hemlock tree, just below, preserv-
ed her senses, and looking over the edge
called to him, and asked him if he were
hurt7 lie was sittlngin the thick branch
es of the tree, and seemed too much
stunned TO speak.
Virginia again asked him, in an almost
inarticulate voice, If he wa, hurts
"No,n he said, Il am not--but ] feel
rather strange when think what have
escaped; my situation here. is not very
pleasant, but do not see how am to
get UP. the rock is so smooth above"
aIf you will reach me your handker-
chief will try to help you"
He put il on the end of stick and
handed It to her, and with that and hers
and Henrietta's, he managed to get up;
and Virginia Ieft Kim, saying she would
run TO the brook TO get some water to
revive Henrietta.
Julius was now first aware OF her ST.
tuation, and as he gazed on her, lying
there so cold and lifeless, the tears sprang
TO his eyes
"Poor, dear, sweet Henrietta" he said,
"and was il anxiety Tor me that reduced
you to this? Can /, for moment hest
tate between such deep, heartfelt ten
derness as this, and Vrginia's cold in
difference, No, she has shown by her
calmness and composure this hour, that
she cannot love me as this sweet crea-
ture does"
Tie was once fully convinced of Virgi-
MAS deep attachment, but he was now
willing 10 believe il was not so--elere-
fore it seemed 80 10 him. He pressed
his cold lips and hands TO Henrietta's
forehead, and with the touch she by de-
grees revived. Raising herself up. and
parting her rich curls, she looked a.
round, bewildered.
81 am sure" she said, faintlS "there
is something | cannot recolleci--' h t
CAN'T be? All, now know" she scream
ed; ooh, Julius. dear Julius, where is
he2"
She attempted to rise and run to the
edge, but she was still too weak; and as
she fell back IN his arms, he exclaimed,
'Here ne Is, dearest Henrietta - safe,
and happier than he has ever been be-
fore"
Butt will spare the reader the tender
reimbursement. sure that he or she
must have read Of, or participated in,
many such scene. Suffice it 10 say,
"she Iisteusd with fitting blush,
"Witb dnwncast eyes, and modest grace"
And, in plain prose, consented to be his
wife.
In the mean time the fishing party,
who had been quietly seated beside the
brook, had sprung pin alarm at Vrgi
MAS pale countenance and rapid step;
she staggered towards them, and fell on
the grass. for her feelings, poor girl, had
been forcibly kept down, but now she
could hold out no longer. She did not
faint, however; and being restored by a
little wine they gave her, was soon able
TO follow them, slowly, to the spot where
she had left Julius and henrietta. The
tears shed that day were only known
TO the trees and wild flowers, among
which she fingered.
As theperYes ofJuIius and Henrietta
were too much shaken to ride hcme on
horseback. Miss Chapman and Mr. Oar
ford took The horses, and they went
home in the wagon. Thus adding ano-
Their to those parties Of pleasure over
which a gloom has been cast by the
rashness of some headsrong person.
julius tossed and tossed long on his
bed that night, before sleep would re-
lieve his aching eyes and limbs. lie had
attained the object of bis s. his mothers
ambition; he had secured the affections
OF the wealthy and beautiful Henrietta,
and riches and pleasure danced before
his imagination, and cnlivened the future
with their lustre. But stiIl lie was not
completely happy. The pale face of
Virginia was constant, before him; and
there was a calm despair in her eyes as
she stood looking at him, while he was
assisting Henrietta to the carriage.
which haunted him still
"But why should | perplex mvself;n
he exclaimed; II am not actually en-
gagged TO her; and if were, she could
not be so unreasonable as to expect
should sacrifice the happiness of Henri