The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-10-27
.WooDsFIELD, OHIO, ssA sAFBBRDAY, OCTOBER y, lSls.


|another was feeding its fountain of vanity,
from the love VOWS offered blythe proud,
the envied, the handsome,L Leslie Herwood
Clara Merrill did not love him, but she
was belle, and it fattered self to secure
in chains theYone, SO many less fortunate
ladies we're signing for ds rs qas
The winter was nearly spent, when a
new star appeared amid the galaxy Of
fashion and beauty. Great was. the COM
motion among the upper ten thousand;
and at the opera, the ball. the private cir
Gle, everywhere was ringing the name oi
the beauty and heiress, Miss Manly Les
lie Herwood procured presentation to
her---what was it that caused his heart to
thrill when his eye met hers, and made
him lorthe time forget ever Clara Merrill!
She was beautiful; could THAT be the
charm! ! gazed and gazed upon her
queenly and digraceful form, her classcally
formed bead. with its heavy braids o.
rich, brown hair, folded around it, her
exquisitely sculptured features; her CLEAN.
ing brow and large proud eyes; her clear
pale cheek. and lovely lip--he listened
eagerly to every tone of her,low, musical
voice, till he was convinced that it was
one of his boyhood's dreams, grown to
perfection, and gifted with life and breath.
Clara MerrilFs power was over. a'ia
Days and weeks passed by, and he
was ever lingering at the side of Miss
Manly. There was something mysterious
and incomprehensible about her which
he could not account for. She ever
treated him with the same unvarying cold
ness-she was ever proud and dignified--
and yet he dared to love--to worship her
madly and devotedly. She was so peer
less, SO unequalled! and yet every tone
and look thrilled his heart like the forgot
ten music Of old She was very intimate
with Ada, who often threw out mysterious
hints which he could not understand.
'One"day he found them in Ada's boudoir.
There was a soft light in the eye, and a
warm glow on the cheek of Miss Manly,
which was indescribaby beautiful On
some light pretence, Ada left them alone.
Leslie was embarrassed, and asked her to
sing. She hesitated, colored, and began:
"a young heart Is pining---forsaken---alsne;
q The gladness has fed from once merry tone,
An eye has grown dim, and cheek has grown
I spale--41cil.s.a.4s,Is ss.-.ssgj -4Iia.A-4A.@-
She was oeed. yas foryotteB- '----f a'st
She attempted to finish, but her voice
trembled; and she burst into tears. Les
lies heart beat faster, and ne felt it was
the moment to decide his destiny. In
agony of mingled hope and fear, he
poured forth wild and hurried confession
of love. He dared not look in her face,
but he implored her to pity him, to speak
and end his suspense. A low sob was
the only reply He raised his eyes to her
faee tears were standing on her downcast
-lashcs, and her cheek was burning Grim
son. They told he was accepted, and he
caught her small soft hand in delirium
of delight, and pressed it to her lips. 1t
was Withdrawn, and her large dark eyes
we're lifted half proudly, half mournnlly,
to his, and her tones were low bat firm, as
she said" Perhaps under other circum-
stances, Mr.. Herwood, might be induced
to accept the HAND youhave so generous
ly offered me- But have a young friend,
surely you remember her. Lille Lelford;
and for her happiness and your own,
must remind you of your duty. Think
not that could ever consider you blame
less, or worthy of love, with the knowl-
edge embttering my existence, that an
innocent young being was sinking into
the grave, because her affections had
been gained and thrown away by one
whoml called my husband. Dream not,
then, that shall ever listen to vows which
have reason to believe are false Drum
enduring; but if l have any influence
over your feelings, prove it by returning
toher you have SO heartlessiy forsaken.
She arose, and left him to the burning
thoughts of shame, and guilt and des-
pair, which agitated his BOSOM A thous-
and conflicting emotions troubled his
heart, as he tossed that night on his rest
less couch; and when he came with
heavy eyes and aching head to the
breakfast table, Ada informed him that
Miss Manly had left the city that morning,
For week he roved restlessly about
the city, plunging into every kind OF
amusement, and striving to forget his late
refusal by renewing his attentions to Miss
Merrill, but that lady was no longer inter-
lesting-the name Of Lille Lelford was
! forever ringing In his memory. So one
pleasant spring morning Ada was sur
prised and delighted at the proposition Of
lher brother, to return, for a short time, to
the residence Of their friends, the Har-
yeys. They were soon carried by car
and carriage, back to the little village
where they had spent the preceding SUM
.mer 50 delightfully."-. As they passed again
through the quiet streets. /" a thousand
nIdan nam oripes er,,shad ovar tho bao ~