Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1851-11-26


What if she should really love Gottleib
best! What was to become of me in that
event Shut out from the .Ioye-light of
her couutenance for ever, what could re-
compense me for my great loss what
heal the vast sorrow must necessarily
feel.
/ Suddenly found myself under Nina's
window. heard her voice singing one
of the little songs had taught her, and
its tone made me thrill, and quiver from
head to foot. could not have spoken a
word TO her then had the universe been
the stake. 1 could not have stood in
her presence, had it been to save my life.
The awe and the dread of that moment
was enough to overwhelm me. hasten
ed away with the voice still ringing in
mine ears.
1 went into the woods, and sought the
dark, sombre pool, where the lilies grew,
and my heart was heavy and sad as the
pool itself was still and silent, though at
other times it used to speak to me in its
own figuratiye and suggestive language.
and chill like breath from charnal
house made me shiver. Oh, my heart,
my heart, was it not forebodng
1 gathered the lilies, and sat on the
bank and placed them beside me. wa
ked up from a reverie into which l had
fallen, and they were withered and dead,
their beauty gone, their odor still remain
ing like a memory; but it made me very
sad, and thought to myselt-"ls this
not like mourning for dead friend |'-
I-Nina's lilies are dead and l could not
throw them aside.
They died, and an hour after l gather
ed more. They were white, perfect,
beautiful. They were without spot or
stain, and smiled as I said to myself.
"they are like my peerless Nina" and
my heart then rose to my throat, grasp
i ed the air, and sobbed as l saw the ra-
dient visions vanish.
/ gathered more tied them together
with riband that Nina had once given
me locket in which she had placed
ringlet of her silken hair. That l wear
vet, and it will go with me into my cof-
fin. l rose and walked sadly out of the
forest, and found myself once more un-
der Nina's window. Her voice was still
thrilling through the chamber it came
clear and sweet into the air, and mingled
with the song of the linets in the mulber-
ry tree, leaned my head on my hand,
and casting down my hand on the lilies
found they were fading.
The flowers seemed to have lost their
y vitality that day. Why, l did not care
to ask. / took out my boquet- my with
cred pansies-they were hearts ease
r but not to me, for my heart was Ill at
ease. l knew she had them for as L
went away, heard her voice say
% Karl, is it thou" and i trembled.
, Her voice was soft, gentle and low, an
excellent thing in woman, ,as great Po-
ct writes, and felt its truth in all its pow
er.
The day went by. and was restless
and wandered forth again. Yes, by the
fountain caverned BY tho Umbra-
geous tree-while the waters babbled--|
) while the birds sangA-while God made
: human hearts glad4while calmly, sol
emnly, enjoyed hequiet beauty of that
[ green sacristy-there suddenly saw the
twain-Gottleib ard Nina.
He was leaning against rock, bare
J headed go0d gun slung on his
shoulder-his eyes fixed on Nina's face
r oh Nina Nina how that face of thine
/, then fascinateG-for I-I-alas can't
remember it now-and-but this is not
to the purpose.
: 1t was all love The eyes poured forth
the feeling---the lips conceived the ex-
I; preston. What fate carried me then to
: the fountain
f She was placing a flower in his hat
l She was looking up into his face and
> laughing. He wasErave, however, and
somewhat pale. II Hsd he been telling her
/, her his secret Had he been making
his confession? I Srung my hands as
cost nv hat down tnder The forest foun-
tain. for the air wds hot and suffocating.
: ITO listen would have been a cTIme-to
Hook, it was no criIh~; but oh the sever
ity of that punishment ---.
Then he spoke out--1 know not what |
and she grew gave in turn. could see
that her cheek Ehitened, and that while
rlshe was silentas the dead, she listened !
with all her soul. ! could no longer
doubt, and ret | refused to believe
/, What hadfI done to you, Gottleib, that
: YOU shout try to rob, me of my love.
TO listn was infamy My heart re-
Iyolted finn it, and yet / could not tear
Emvsefrom the spot For just when l (
had eshered up my energies to go from /,
lthene, u heard heryoic deep, tremulous
,l-tpjestic in its great sOlemnity-aned she
/ sal to him
|, y Yes, Gotfleib;I dol will. There's
tIhy hand, and with it my trOth %
II Terrible words to me but what must
they on the other hand have been to
him. The gates of promise opening out
Into the field of life, golden with flowers
band green with garlands-I alas, was
casting my eyes towards the grave. Had
she. entirely forgotten me? No ! God
pc praised-not quite. 4
. Gottleib j. Gottleib !" she said in |