The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-09-06
CLAUDINE, THE FORSAKEN.
or,
THE PEASANT GIRL OF LAUSANNE
concluded. }

SOHCtuUeu J
True to my promise on The following po,n;no
entered the humble cottage nf the parents of
Ciauo'ne Inc boy and the mother was there.
'he 'a'her was out pursuing his occupation The
poor woman overwhelmed me with thanks. and
said that Claudne had asked for me many times
one would nave died upon the cold road, but
for you" said the good woman
Presently was conducted to Clandine's cham
Der. The helpless girl lay upon her small pallet.
slhe scene was silent and solemn. Across the lat
tced Window the vine tree threw lis C.liaoe> and
screened the chamber from the intrusion nf tho
sunbeams. Every thing was remarkable for its
neatness and order in The place. Caudine fixed
ner eyes upon me as entered presently they
were suftused with tears. | sat down nv her
bedside g And how is CIaudine TO-DAY" said
one closed her eyes for moment, and motion
go her case was hopeless and then she mt her
hand torih, and taking mine within hers. endeav
ored To raise 1t TO her lips, bur her strength wac
NOT sufficient, and hefhand fell to her side She
signed al ms indication of her debility, bnt I
spoke to her in words of consolation and bnne
and endeav0red to encourage her thougb,s of ICo
ana happiness. But all hope seemed to have
He'd from her, save that which she had in Haa.
ven "
In The course of the evening, she was able IN
speak To me and found that her greatest fear
was 'ha' her prayers was not heard on hiob.
F" How can sinner like myself, murmured sIe
" hope To be heard, or have a praver rece;yod -
endeavored 10 assure her of the urea, me,cr
OF the Creator and succeeded at length in calm.
ing her ulnd, and and removing her apprehension
IL was Then that she mentioned Frederic I had
aostalned from naming her betrayer fearful of the
consequences; but now she spuke of him with
co1hP"sure. forgive him., she said, &c for the
misery he has brought upon me- forgive him
deeply though he has wronged me, and if | dared,
Wnnid breathe prayer To Heaven for him. for
surely nc must need our prayers!'' And then she
ciasped her hands. and her lips moved as if sum-
plIcatine pardon for her beiraver.
al this moment loud cry was heard below.
The brother of Caudine, who had remained
there, called for the parent to come da,vn "ei
his cries were mingled with an examination If,
repeated IN tone of great agony and exhau,taton
Z" .d,n TOO late 90
Gracious heaven that voice!'' exclaimed the
mother of the dying girl, and before had time to
make enquiry as to the matter, the poor woman
nan ieil the room, and presenifye heard her en-
deavorlng 10 prevent some one from ASCENDING tho
stairs The intruder uttered but one sentence
ana mat was In tone as if his whole hear, and
soul were absorbed in the question, An, JIoo
late 2' 'A"' too
The effort of the stranger to enter was too strong
10 he resisted, and in moment a pale man ey,
'aus'eu ana covered with dust. rushed into the
room, and as he entered, he repeated his c,v
" i'm i loo late?" Alas! the heart. stricken
Clanoine had recognized the well known voice
and features ut her betrayer and had fallen bacL
upon her bed, and there she Law, SEEMINGLY life
less; her lips were white, and auiyered 9o, md
her nand vas cold and poweress The frenzied
you'n Tell on MS knees at the bed side, and in a
iranic tone, supplIcated heaven Ia resto,e har .,
hIm, whom he sill loved, and to whom he w,s
deslrous of making reparation He had been led
away from virtue and truth by the pleasures which
nus fortune commanded; but ha wing nrnved ,hoir
hoIIowness, he had returned, like The veariod
dove from Its wandering over the dreary waste of
me world TO the ark of his happiness, the heart
and home Of Clandine. ''''''
Frederic believed The maiden to be really dead
ana he gave himself up to despair. But ner,
ceiVed thai she was only overcome by the sudden
s"ocH Oh MS appearance, and re- quesled him 10 re-
SIa'h MS emotions, while and The good roother
ehoeaVored TO restore Claudine Our efforts soon
produced the desired effect Caudine awakened
~ 'ne "oriu. She looked around the room, in
i'.'nS - as u IN search OF some object she had
ptheid 10 dream, and when her eyes rested nnon
.ne afooPing penlIent at her feet, she pazed At
"i" '"i lho"enl with fixed expression and then
her emolIon vented itself in tears.
Oiaadlne, Claudne, forgive me Oh. for
emotion. " Pe'''o"a'o
. have nothing to forgive,n murmured Tho
girl; :" my heart has already made peace with III
on earth. My thoughts are now for nv own
peace with heaven l''
=, Bless thee Bless thee. CIaudne Live. oh
i've, iorhappiness and me!''
hush, hush J" whispered Caudine, "breathe
iafer' FN' WV - I" 700
bless my love-" 'PO '"''' "
Is too late" repeated Claudine ssLeave
ue' leaVe me, pray. ! have but few moments
IUngeI 70 larry in the world, and would fix nv
thoughts on my SOULS peace hereaferl
IDePart-depart pray thee for the drear
LAST hour OF life is pressing,o'er me-
r. cannot yield my breath, If thou art near
10 bid me live for thee -..
But como when arm dead
NO terror shall be pictured on my face
t. snaIl lie calm, on my last mortal bed
=" ltnout one passions trscep'
NO! oh, mol shrIeked the lover Won rnns,
hot-si'ol not de;'' and springipg up with wild
emotion he left the room
lie was not long absent, and returned brinoioo
medical attendant Of repute, who. an discryeTe,
ing the circumstances Of this case, ordered F,ed.
eric to leave the hOnse. The lover was ss,0nisb-
ed but the doctor was imperative. :, She mav
recover he said, +" but every moment tina, vo1
remain here serves to increase herdisordsr fbs
lover then departed, and for three weeks he carao
not near Claudine. Still he h6vered shont ho,
cottage, and felt haDDv 30 III 80. -