The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-02-14

The dragoon had already alighted, and
seeing Norman at the window. pro-
ceeded up stairs to deliver his orders.
They contained, as he expected. direc-
tions for the immediate evacuation OF
Alanjuez. and the concentration oil the
army at Freynada The orders were
peremptorv: buthad they been less so,
Norman was still too much of a soldier
to suffer any consideration of private
feelings to interfere with his duty, He
dismissed the messenger, and hurryln9
towards the environments, commanded
the troops to pack up the baggage, and
to be under arms an hour before day
light ON the following morning.
As soon as this was done, and he had
seen things put into train of prepara-
tion, Norman bent his steps towards the
spot where Theresa and he had OF late
spent much of their time. 1t was a
beautiful and retired dell. overshadowed
with tall cork trees, and close beside
the margin of the stream. Here he
threw himself down upon the grass, and
gave full vent to his over-wrought feel
ings. In the midst of how many diff
culties was he cast! He loved the
maiden tenderly, and it was evident
that he was tenderly beloved in return.
But was this a time for love or dalliancee
Could he talk to her of marriage, at a
moment when he was on the point of
leaving her, perhaps for evers And,
were the case otherwise, what proba-
bility was there that Don Fernando, a
Spanish grandee, and bigotted Catho-
lie, would consent TO his daughters
union with him-a foreigner-a hereto
"a mere soldier of fortune? Norman
pondered these things long and earnest
ly, and, in spite of many opposing I'M
pulses. came. at length, 10 this conclu-
sion that it would be honorable, on
his part. not TO speak of love in direct
terms to Theresa at all, but rather to
incur the blame of unkindness and
ingratitude by abandoning Alanjuez at
once. than, by seeing and conversing
with her again, to run the risk OF being
surprised into a confession of his feel
ings.
He had arrived at this magnanimous
conclusion, and rose TO carry it into
immediate effect. when Ii ght step
caught his ear, and looking up he beheld
Theresa herself beside him. Her cheeks
were still of ashy paleness, but her eyes
were full of fire, and an occasional flush
came over her countenance, expressive
of some powerful feeling atwork within
"Theresa y said Norman, as he seized
her hand, "I had hoped TO escape
this. intended to save both you and
/ She was silent for some moments, but
she permitted him still to retain hel
hand. At length, after a severe struggle
to compose herself, she said, in a tone Of
voice at once solemn and affecting-"Il
is well. Norman your design was q
prudent. and, perhaps, proper one. II
Is time that we did part,-and that fol
, ever! Nay, nay,n continued she, see
ing that he was about to interrupt her
suffer me to proceed, and then | viii
hear you patiently. Perhaps you vii
. call me forward, indelicate, every thlns
which woman ought not to be; bu
these are not times, neither is ours ;
! situation. in which the ordinary forms
! Of life can be attended to. Go, Norman
po and carry with YOU the sincerest ant
) most devoted affection Of one who neve
f knew happiness till she saw you, ant
f shall never know it again when You ar
! rome. Go. and forget her. May Ii
| whom we both worship shield you Il
|. the day of battle! and may you retur
: to your own land, and make happy on
: more worthy of you than | am! Bu
even then. Norman, think kindly of me
d When your blue-eyed bride smiles upeo
r YOU. even then spare one thought ie
f Theresa-not oflove, for thatwill be hel
il but of pity. For me, my resolntlo
d is formed Il renounce the world IL
g evero
3 .Theresa, Theresa cried Norman
l. passionately, this is too much ha
n determined not to speak to you OF low
IL at least, at present, till your countI
1. should be delivered from her enemi'
rs and could return TO claim you as m
" bride but hear me, now. | swear I
k every thing that is sacred In this wor
1t and in the next-by thine own pure Sc
y- | Swear-tldt UdNC hC'tt io'tut -
er and never can love, but thee. | kne
70 not the sensation till We met | shs
" never know il ~ another. Why shal
III thy head, dearest Theresa" continue
rs he. as the maiden's look became mo
a sorrowful than ever; "dost thou n
III love me! Do l not love theet An
10 when the war has come to an end, I'M
on not return to woo thee"
ed .Loye thee, Norman! / love thee
to as women usually love, but as the m;
We tyr loves his religion, or the SAINT
Saviour, even SO do l love thee! !
II what avails it!-our faiths are not
same, Norman; and l cannot wed
I'd, hereto :.
he aOh, talk not of differences in fail
.ht Do we not worship the same God
ly, the same Redeemer-and what
so minor distinctions to us! Twill ne
lgs disturb thee in the exercises Of thy
ligion, and among my own kindred
be- many who will join thee in them
ian not that divide US. Say, dearest i
I'VE resa, that when peace is prociaime
may come for thee, and that thou '
,sa, cross the sea with me, and dwell amt
IL ILL, ,f my romaI