The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-01-06

SO they safe down to read, but Ernst was 4
almost silent, and his counienance had a /
very grave expression.
"You are dull to-day, Ernst" said Caro-
line, in the sweetest voice and with the
brightest smile in the world. "What has
annoyed you! why are you sad9"
"For you, Caroline" said he, taking her
white soft hand from the table on which it
rested. She bushed, but did not withdraw
that hand.
81 have discovered-ho1C it matters not
that your excellent aunt has bargained to
marry you to Professor Richer, Your for
tune, as she knows, is thing OF doubt; Tor
there is a male hear somewhere, and ii he
claim it you are penniless. Therefore, as
she has lately received notice that this long
missing heir is alive and at hand, she
would marry you to the Professor, to secure
you against want"
"All this is new to me-" said Caroline,
in a trembling tone.
81 do not wonder that it is so. Your
grandfather, the Count Won Fugger, of
Augsburg, left you his estates, if your cou-
sin, then in the Bavarian army, and suppo-
sed to have been slain at the battle of Leip-
zig, did not appear to claim them within
five years. The time has nearly elapsed,
and your cousin has made has claim. Our
good Emperor Francis could scarcely re-
fuse him speedy justice, for there is an her
editary right on the part of the head of your
house, to claim boon. The Emperor
Charles ", to support the war against the
majority of the Princes of Germany, bor-
rowed million horins from one of your an
cestors, a merchant. He returned through
Augsburg victorious, and his creditors not
only entertained him and his retinue for
two days in the most sumptuous manner,
but before he departed burnt in fire Of Gin
iiamun, made for the purpose, the Empe-
rol's bond. In return for this generosity,
he was made Count of the Empire, and
received lands iefs in perpetuity for him
self aud his descendants. Your cousins
claim has been made, has been admitted
by the Emperor; and, to day, if he will,
may take possession of your lands, your
wealth. But of this enough. Are you incli.
ned to marry, and to marry the Profes-
sor!"
There fell no accent of reply from the
ripe lips of Caroline, but Ernst saw hel
cheek pale, and then grow rosy as with a
fever-fush, and he felt her hand tremblc
within his.
"Your intended will be here to day, you
are TO marry him Tomorrow"
"Caroline raised her eyes, and looked
earnestly into his: still she spoke no word.
There was such silence for two minutes
that he could hear her heart-beats. Then
he gently pressed her hand, again she
bIushed, but her eyes did not now meet
his.
"You would avoid this marriage! Car
oline, you love another?'
She did not speak, but silence is often
more eloquent than spoken words.
Love him deeply, and have loved him
long?"
"Alas! yes, she cried, ''too deeply, bu
knew not until now that loved himp'
dearest Caroline!" And here, as ifby
magnetic attraction, their lips touched. 1t
was the first, fond kiss of love! Let the
prude blame them, if she will, 1--WE know
the fable of "sour grapes,') but for my
own part, think with old Stapylton, ''it
is all human nature"
The soft talk which ensued must be la.
belled "strictly private and confidential -
There were gentle confessions, tender
words, sweet as honey, soft promises; wei.
come as fairy-favours hearted smiles, and
joyful tears. AS Keats says of Endymion
and Diana,
They were to happy too he glad.
At last Ernst began to talk common
sense. 81 have been absent" said he,
''for week. had heard of this intended