The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-05-24

ne maiden raised her dropping head,
and with difficulty articulated-
IF you think thus of me, Mr. Courtland,
then indeed am | unworthy of another
thought from you
Forgive me, Miss Cameron,-forgive
me. have wounded your feelings.
meant it not. Perhaps am too sensitive
upon this subject-perchance | am too
distrustful. May be | too keenly feel all
of slight and wrong
And after some moments pause, he
went on
You know, dear Miss Cameron, nv
station in life; you know of my prospects,
my character-all this you have heard
from Edgar, and with regard to them |
have nothing to offer, and will only add
that love you; that have long regarded
you as an object of tenderness; and now
now say, dearest, that my passion is re-
turned-say that II is, that you will be
miner
Catharine trembled, and the rich blood
flushed to her shaded temple, and, without
lifting her eyes, she replied, falteringiy,-
Ere | answer let me beg of you to GO
back with me TO the past. We have met
BEFORE
Clinton started-turned pale, and con-
vulsive shudder shook his weakened frame.
what! before!' he almost gasped.
when? Where!'
Catharine, attributing his emotion to
surprise, answered.
'Do you remember the frail child that
bathed your sunken temples, on board the
Washington, years ago. and who she
hesitated.
And who gave me this?' and he drew
the rich phial with tangled ribbons from
hisvest, and resumed, musingly,-
And what a balm your childish caresses
wrought on heart that was writhing with
such agony as | pray Heaven may never
know again.
And with startling abruptness he went
.And did you then learn who 1 was
my name!'
And the deep, dark, searching, scorch-
ing look he fastened on her face, told of
the mighty feelings struggling in his soul.
But Catharine betrayed no confusion.
She did not even lift her eyes. She was
looking on that one scene that had lived in
her memory for years. And she answer
ed thoughtfully-
Il did not-perhaps my father did
Clinton drew long, free breath. The
weight on his hear, had been too oppres-
sive; and he murmured tenderly-
This is blessing ! had not looked for
| had not expected again to see the angel
of that hour; but in those dreadful DAYS of
suffering that followed, | still saw that
sweet, childlike figure bending over me,
and cooling my fevered brow. And now,
thou hast come to me again and calmed
my heart with kindness. Surely, YOU
are my guardian angel; and all | have to
repay in return is love, love the pure and
the true, love that hath never been prof-
cred to woman before.
And it is all l ask-more; | dare not
accept it,
And the maiden bent her face upon her
hands and wept.
Clinton drew her nearer to him, and
poured his pleading prayers upon her
heart, in winning whisperings, in earnest
eloquence.
There was no word in answer; but one
stiaed sob, and he knew her heart was all
his own.
Did not consult my feelings he OBJ
served, after an interval of some minutes,
i fear should forget what is due to yours
and the restrictions of delicacy, and plead
with you to accompany ME home now, as
my bride. To that home, humble as it
may be. And viii only ask that you will
name the time when may come to con-
duct you toit.'
And Catharine listened. o how will
lingly would she have dispensed with all,
could she have been permitted to watch
his returning health, and administer to his
every wish and want.
And may be he read all this as he gazed
earnestly and afectionately on her change
full features; but if he did, he seemed re-
solved to adhere to his first resolution, and
whispered as he watched her iuctuating
countenance-
.But you have not answered me, dear
est; when will we meet again! When
may come to claim my own?'
Name your own time she responded,
falteringly. Il viii be ready
And ere they returned to the house, the
day, the week, the month was fixed upon.
1t was evening. A lady who had
brought her three daughters to the same
watering place for the last eight years, like
SO many articles of merch andize, showily
shrouded and placed in the most advanta-
geous position, without getting them off
her hands-remarked to Clinton CourtlaDd |