The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-20


and, drawing back, she look wildly and eargerly
in his face
s'Morley," said she, in voice of thrilling
tone. s'do you love mel"
.Dearesl, best Kate" he replied, edo you,
can you doubt t2'
'.Do you love me, Morley" she repeated with
increased earnestness.
] .sTruly-devoted- d--madly 1" cried Morley, on
his knees. ''By the heavens that is shining over
us-o
.'No more oaths- enough of prosteslatlons.-
Are you willing, by one action, at THIS moment,
to prove that | am truly dear 10 you, Morleyf"
Il am, though it carry with it my destruc-
ton"
IL ask not your destruction-I implore you to
prevent mine Return, Morley, retnrn!" Nor
lev gazed at her as if doubling his sense Of hear
ing.
| ''Return, Kate ~
"Return Instantly"
"Kate, are you serious-are you," he might
have added, sin your Senses" but she interrupt
ed him.
g i am serous-I am not mad Morley no
nor inconsistent, nor fckle," she subjolned, rea-
ding the impression that was rising on Morley's
countenance. s'That love, and in that love am
incapable to change, do not Morley, insult me
| by doubling even by look. But, q! If you
| love me as you ought, as You have sworn you
do, as man of honor, impore you to take me
back to my father"
.''ro your father |" exclaimed Morley, almost
unconscious Of what he uttered, SO astonished
was he.
"Ay, to my father, my grey-headed, my do
| ting, my coniding father; take me TO him be-
fore his heart is broken by the child he loves!
| have been with him." she cried in wild ago
ny, even now, as | lay in your arms, spell-bound
in my trance, whilst the carriage rolled on to my
perdition! | could not move--l could not speak,
but knew where | was, and whittier was
hurying yet even then was with my faith
err" she cried with loud voice and look of SUI
pernatural soemnity she lay on his death-bed,
his eye turned upon me--hls fixed and glarlng
eye, it rested upon me, as lay in your arms
he cursed me and died His malediction yet
rings in my ears-his eye is now upon me
Morley, for the love of heaven, ere it be too
late -"
g Compose yourself, my beloved-my own
Kate!"
DO you still hesitate" she cried, ''would
you still soothe my frantic soul with words
What shall bind her to husband who could
abandon her father what power may transform
the renegade daughter into the faithful wife
Morley, as you hope for mercy, do not, do not
destroy the being who loves you-who asks you
to preserve her lIfel' Morley caught her as
she sank at his feet; and she remained in his
arms in state of insensiblity He was con-
founded-subdued!
The fatigued horses had labored about mid
way up the activity, when Morley called to the
postillion.
ssTurn your horses heads" he cried, g we
shal>feturn !" The steeds seemed to acquire
renewed vigor from the alteration in their course
and were proceeding at a brisk pace on their re-
turn, when Kate revived.
"Where am I2-whither am carried?"
she exclaimed.
"To your father, my beloved" whispered
Morley.
"To my father, Morley, to my father can
it be but no | will not doubt; you never de-
ceived me-you cannot! God bless you, Nor
ley, God bless you! my dear, dear Morley!"
And with her pure arms around his neck, she
imprinted sisters kiss upon his lips, and, dis
solved in delicious tears, sank with the conf
dence of conscious innocence upon his BOSOM
The ETHEREAL influence Of virtue fell like balm
upon the tumultuous feelings of the lovers ; and
never, in the widest moment of passion-not
even when he first heard the avowal of love
from his hearts selected-had Morely felt SO
'riumphantly happy ).
"Where is he? is he alive-let me see him
lis he well?" shrieked Kate, as she rushed in
the house of her fathea.
sc For whom do you enquire, madam" coldly
asked the female she addressed, the maiden sis
ter of Kate's father
Aunt, dear aunt, do not speak to me thus
| am not what you think me. But my father
my father is he aliye2 Is he well o, dear
aunt, have pity on me am repentant-I am
innocent 2"
8 In one word Kate, are you manied2"
g am not !"
:" Heaven be praised Follow me-your ia
ther is not well ~
'sQuick Quick before it is too late!" And
the distracted girl rushed into the room, and
kneli at her fathers side.
"Father, do not avert your face Father
am your own Kate; | am restored to you as
left you! BY the years of love that have pas
sed between us, forgive the folly offence
the crime of a moment! BY the memory of my
mother"
"Cease, girl cease!" said the old man, en-
deavoring, through the weakness of age and in
trinity, and the workings of agonized feelings,
to be firm "forbear, and answer me truly is this
gentleman your husband ?"
Kate was about to reply but Morley stepped
forward Il am not" said Morley, "blessed
with that lady's hand she has refused it, until
| h al.