Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-08-23
Ken promise should mar your peace Of

Henry, hear me- said Ellen, in sol
emn tone. Should | ever so far forget
| my faith to your ashes as to lend my ear
TO The language Of love, my heart 10 the
voice of affection for another, may your
form on my bridal evening come to me
and reproached me for my faithlessness.'
A bright smile passed over the face of
the dying man. lie murmured-
Repeat those words again, my Ellen !;
they take from death its sting-in heav-
en- you will be all my own. Forgive my
selfishness, dearest; but have so loved
YOU, cannot think another shall win -
His voice ceased to articulate, and again
the deep tones of the young mourner thrill
led the air with the repetition of those aw-
ful words. AS they passed her lips. she
felt the hand that clasped her relax its
grasp-a faint futtering consciousness
seemed to hover moment on his features.
anG in an instant they wore the calm and
passionles repose of death.
Ellen Sinclair buried herself in the Sc
clusion Of her own heart. A calm and
gentle melancholy succeed the first VIC.
lence of her grief, but she betrayed no de-
sire to mingle in the world. Clad in the
deepest mourning. she was seen nowhere
but at church and those who looked on
her fel. deep sympathy for one so young
and so bitterly bereaved. Vainly had her
own parents sought 10 draw her from her
solitude. Two years passed. and alter
many fruitless efforts they at length suc-
eeeded in obtaining promise of visit
from her at the annual reunion OF their
family on Chis.mas. for that season is still
held as festival in many parts of Virgin
ia.
Ellen was once more beneath the roof
Of her father, and many and painful were
the emotions which struggled IN he bosom
when she looked around and remembered
that the last time she stood beside her ma
tive hearth, size was gay and happy
bride.
Those who looked on her could not a.
void remarking the change which two
wears had wrought in her appearance
The girl just budding into maturity had
expanded into the beautiful and self-poss>
essed woman, with quiet grace OF man
ner, and an air of pensive reserve which
was extremely captivating.
Her parents were worldly-mlnded peo-
ple who could not bear that their falr
daughter should pass her life in solitude to
which she had doomed herself They
surrounded her with agreeable company
sought to amuse her mind and draw 1t
from the contemplation of the terrible
calamity which had destroyed her dawn
ing hopes of happiness, and they succee-
ded TO implant in her mind distaste for
the idea Of returning to her late abode.
Week after week passed until months
were numbered, and she began to think 1t
her duty TO remain with her parents
She was their youngest child, and the on
" one without ties which served them in
a measure from the paternal roof.
ELLEN, my darling.' said her father.
when she spoke of returning home, you
will not again forsake US !! We are old.
and YOU are the only child who Is tree 10
remain with US. You must live here
| canno. think Of permitting you to return
to tina. lonely home of yours
1T is lonely replied Ellen; and lear
that after breaking through my usual hab-
its. I shall! find it difficult and wearlsome
10 resume them.-Yet, my dear father. 1t
| T censent TO remain, there is one reques'
I must make
what is it, my daughter! Are we
not ever mindful of your wishes
| sAb yes, dear father. more mindful than
deserve. But'-and her voice sank to
low agitated whisper there must be
no looking forward to marriage Tor me
mo attempt TO alier my views on tina
subject l have made vow to the dead
and i. must be held sacred.'
.What - exclaimed her father. wa:
Sinclair ungenerous enough to exact from
Won promise not TO marry again E
young and inexperienced as you were
too! 5,aasa sg r,
.Ah no, father, wrong him not. IL
was too kind, noble. He asked no prom
;se-I made it voluntarily and as tn
words left my lips his spirit departed. :
Oh no, my father, never ask me TO oreal
that vow-i is a hallowed one.
Well. my darling, let it be as yo'
wish. | shall prefer keeping you with US
, but al the same time, if you should eve
!, meet with one you can love, and who
! worthy Of you, il will be very silly 20 SUI SUI
fer few words uttered when,, you wa
, scarcely conscious Of their meaning,
. nreyent YOU from making the home. OF
/, honorable man happy. Why. child, 70
), are only nineteen. Do you suppose I'M
! the death of one person, however dea
can chill your feelings into ice at that age
s Unjust then in the sincerity OF my 50.