The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-10-07

Shook tnt easement seemed 10 cry Out W MN |
like the voice of the haunted Cain--'O,
man. where is thy brother?
When the daylight came the spirit OF the
drowned man lowered over that man as he
hurried out with face as white as death.
Those shadowy arms would fain have en-
circled his neck, that air-voice would have
whispered, Brother, my brother! let rs for
give one another but it was too late.
Death had stepped in between them, and
shut the gate Of reconciliation forever.
The winged soul threaded the gray shad-
ows of early dawn as swiftly as the yet IN
awaked sunbeams. The first STRINGS OF
life had already disturbed the quiet Of the
great city, but in its gloomiest recesses
somewhat of the freshness and peace OF
night fingered still. Ii was in an upper
chamber in the darkest OF these streets which
desolate poverty seems to haunt like asPec
tire, that the spirit of Tristan rested.
Its sole occupant was young woman.
You could not call her girl, for the fresh
ness Of girlhood no longer tinted the thin,
worn cheek; nor had the outside show oil
ine-ladyism replaced the pure womanliness
of her face and mien. She had thrown her
| self on the bed, all dressed as she was, after
} what seemed to have been long vigil; for
the faint ,glimmer of the expiring candle
, yet struggled with the encroaching light OF
morning.
7 And she, too. can sleep-such sound,
peaceful, happy sleep? sighed the spirit.
, Even now, there is in her heart no memory
! of Tristan!
Z 1t was not so: for on a little table lay the
3 letter TO write which she had sat up hall the
e night-a night when every hour was so pre-
cious to one who toiled all day in the weary
/ life Of governess.
7 why did you leave me in such anger!
e ran this mute record of vain tenderness
e 'Tristan--my hearts joy-my only com
fort in this world-how could you say
:, loved you not! Must tell you over anC
e over again for how many, many years my
a whole soul was filled with you; how tina
!. from girlhood to womanhood have liyeC
but to make myself worthy of you-livet
g through change and hoPelessness and world
e sorrows, still keeping my heart pure ant
e strong with the simple thought that Nigh
er one day be your wife. And yet, when 20
Sc ask me to take that blessed name, becaus
D. dare not answer to the cry of your despal
you say never loved you! What are you
4. words? Maud, the world and fate ar
y; against our union. Let us thwart them: Ii
n US marry, and then de- And when al
n swered to that wild daring Of misery wit
words Of patience, you took the denl;
at they implied as springing not from pruder
Sc love but cold contempt. Tristan, you sal
I'd | scoTned you because you were poor! 81
ed | will not think more of that bitterness
ne which was wrung only from your despai
IS, Listen to me my dearest! If we are so po
Id that @e must wait until the time OF gre
,r, hairs before we can have one home and OF
Oh name, still lciH tcait. | would rath
us work until old age. and live and die yo
ga betrothed, than wed the richest man in I'm
70 land. And you, Tristan, take couTag
Ike Life is never hopeless to those who ha'
ne youth and health and mind. will watt
you rise, step by step, in the world--n
'er love shall cheer you and give you strengt
er- You cannot fail-you shall not fail! n
lg, own my husband that will be! you do n
ct. know how strong love is-how much ii Ct
uf- endure and be conqueror at last. Come
me tomorrow, and let us forgive one anot
It's er. know that am very dear to yOu:'
m but, Tristan, you are all in all to the he;
ST. of Maud
IL, An agony OF despairing love, more ter
he BILE than human heart could feel or hum
lid tongue describe, appeared to convulse t
ps. airy frame Of the spirit. Its term Of wa
he dering over, it felt dragged down, dow
down, through storms and lightning a
nd darkness. to the region of the dead. A {
TO Of fearful anguish burst from t-and I
eat spell was broken? All had been drea
ny Tristan awoke. and found himself lyi
re, under the parapet Of the bridge in the mis-
The light of dawn.
'et- Humbled to the meekness of childho
did that pride.tempted man rain his tears
Io, the dust, and bless the sleep, with its stran
ION dream peopled mystery which had saved
soul from the doom Of suicide.
ich Tristan went home. Under the TO
nn. porch stood his brother; who uttered All
zen clamation Of Joy, ran forward and ST.
ped
TIL Where have you been, young seal
w. grace? | was a fool to make myself so /
Ugh comfortable about you
ew But Tristan felt, and returned, the han
ich warm clasp, and saw there was quiveri
led in the thin lips. Peace and lorbearar
lie healed all strife between the brothers, no
led Both had learnt Life's lesson in one night
In the evening light Maud's arms W
cd, round Tristan's neck, and her tears w
IDS falling on his bosom.
rds But in his joy there was a solemnity-
quetude which showed that change
vas come over him.
bod Many years after, when he CHANGED to
gou walking with his wife in the same spot
told her OF that marvellous dream,
we'd Maud, in her holy woman's faith, dou
had ed not one word. But while with a 81
lr- der that she could not repres, she CT
closer to her husband, her eyes were
tan lifted and her lips moved in thanl;
ell, prayer.
ler, Life is full of mysteries she murmur
reAt