The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-09-14


the door TO receive her; and when she wa
we'd ner hand in token that we should take
our places. there was cheerful strife which
should obey the signal first Never do
remember her So beautiful ms ON that morn
ing. The clear snow Of her oad, and
that portion Of her slender neck. exposed
/ bv her high dress, mingled in delicate con-
trast with the dnmask brightness on her
cheek and lips. An expression ii content
nent suhducd the sometimes painful bill
liancy Of her ewes. and with a beautiful
smile beaming over that face in thanks for
the Offering, she took halg-opcn white rose,
with faint blush slu,nbcring in its core.
from the hand of little girl. and twined il
among her hair. nst above the let temple.
before taking her seat. The morning was
warm. md all the doors had been lett open
10 admit free circulation OF mir through the
old building. Nv seat was near the pulpit.
directly opposite the northern door, which
commanded "A view oi the highway. ! was
gazing idly ut the sunshine which lighted
mp portion Of the lawn in beautiful con-
trast with the thick grass which still Law in
the shade. eli,tcring with rain drops--for
there had been shower during the night
when strange horseman appeared, gallop-
ing up the rond. lie checked his horse,
and after surveying the old meeting house
a moment. turned into the footpa.h leading
to the southern door.
Seldom have lscen more lofty carriage
or imposing person. than Tint of the stran-
ger ne he rode slowly across the lawn.-
Ills face. nj a first view, appeared eminent
~ handsome, but on second perusal,
close observer might have detected some
thing daring md impetuous, which would
have taught him To suspect impudcncc, il
not want ofprincple in the possessor. lie
was mounted on n noble horse, aud his
dress, though carelesslv worn. was both
rich and elegant. lie had ridden close to
the door, mud was di,inouniing, when Miss
Bishop looked up. A slight CRY burst from
her lips, and surfing from her seat, she
turned wildly toward the sidc-door, rs il
tnedtatinr III escape; but tho Stranger had
scarcely set his foot within the building.
when she moved down the nislc, though her
face was deadly pale. and there was n look
oi mingled terror and grief in her ewes.
The stranger advanced 10 meet her with o
quick, enger step, and put forth his hand.
Az first she seemed about to reject il. and
when she did extend hers. il was trembling
w.. aud with cviden, reluctance. lie re-
tanned her hand in his. and bent forward ns
IL about 10 salute her. She siirupk back.
shuddcrine beneath his gaze. and we could
sec that deep crimson flush dart over her
cheek like the shadow of bird. fitting
across the suns disk. The stranger drop
ped her hand, and set his lips hard togeth-
er, while she wrung her hands and uttered
some words, il seemed, al enireai. lie
looked hard into her face as she spoke, but
without appearing to heed her appeal, he
walked few PAGES up the aisle, and taking
of his hit. lcnncd heavily against the pew
door which CHANGED 10 he open. Ills was
a bold countcnancc. have seldom looked
upon forehead 50 massive and iul! Of in
iclcct. Yet the dark kindliag eve, the
naughty lip, bespoke an untamed will, and
passions vet 10 be conquered. or To be deep
~ repcn,cd - - remnrsc aud in tears. As
be stood b. r .nat iimid girl. she shrunk
from and yet seemed almost Ease mated, by
the extraordinary power ot expression that
passed over bis face. His dark eyes grew
misty and melting with tenderness rs he
took her hand again revercntly between
both his, and pleaded with her as one plead
ing for his las, hope in lie. We could no,
hear his word, but there was something
in the deep tones Of his yoiee. anl in thu,
air Of mingled pride, energy and supplica-
ton, which few women could have resisted.
But she did resist, though even n child
might have seen thu, the c.iori WINS break
ing her heart. Sadly, md in voice full
Of suppressed agony and regret, she nm
swcrcd him, her small hands were claspcd
imploringy, and her sweet face was lifted
10 his with The expression ot Il tried spirit,
and leave her in peace.
Again hc answered her. and now his
Voice ,rembcd, as its deep tones were bro
ken ms they swellei through tho hollow
building. When he had done, she spoke
ngain in the same tone rs before. and with
the expression Of sad resolve unmoved from
: her face. lie became angry u, last; bis
eye kindIcd, and his heavy forehead gath.
} cred in frown. She had extended her
; hand, as If TO take farewell hut lie dashed
II away, and, regardless Of her tmii voice.
rushed toward the door Miss Bishop tot
tered up the aisle, mud sunk To her chair.
trembling all over, and drawing her breath
ia quick, painful sasps: We alI started up,
and were aboh, 70 crowd around her with
useless tears and lamentations, when the
) Young man came up the nislc again. We
shrunk back around the pulpit siaira, and
watched his motions, like flock Of fright
cncd birds when the hawk 10 lowering in