Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-10-29

weary OF The daily toll II cannot lIghten.-
Pretty Meeta, no wonder this graceful form
} shrInks from such coarse garments, that
these delicate limbs find no rest on the straw
: Of thine humble pallet. And these hands,
SO chiseled, SO daintly colnred, blushing to
, the finger tips a, their own perfeclion-ah,
: there are cruel marks Of toll upon them
Look at my hair, hleeis, wrealhed and flow
ing! What would ] not give for lresses
, like thine yet never before has the noon
light looked upon its heavy waves unfold
ed. Thy feet should be danlily sandaled
See !" And she ,rod light and springing
step, as one Tia, bounds through an airy
measure.
s'Thou here ~ said The young girl, slight
ly shuddering
MAY, nay, girl!'' is ibis Thy greeting to an
old friend, who has left soft lights, and gala
cavaliers, and the merry dance, to come in
search of thee /? See, there they are, the gay
jewellers! The prince himself does no, disslain
to mingle with them; these very roses in my
bosom were placed there by his hand. And
he has heard Of thee SO, blushing! Well,
may hapit was lille bird told me the tale :;
how fair maiden span in The sunshine, and
sang meriIy that the very lhrushcs came
to listen, and bedrock danced TO The music
But another than The ihrushes came, and
though, The singer ondrous fair. and sough,
her side otell her so. And Ihe maiden blush
ed bu, would not smile. Her blue eves-were
yelled and downcasl; bu, new light burn
ed therein, kindIed by those kindly chances.
All, thou seest know the tale; and now
he waits for thee. to make thee his own,
amid all that splendor; and come, thine
old friend, willing ambassador, to bid thee
join our galIsn, company"
"Hu>h, Norma Why have You come
to ne: You knnw-you know what sepa-
rates US. Leave me TO my simple, humble
life. Leave me TO peace aud obscuri!y."
s.Peace IIs ! ha - laughed the stranger.
gsyly. "Such peace as thou hast known
since then! To wake YEARLY with the
DAYS dawn, every limb aching with The
labor Of YESTERDAY. 70 90 about household
tasks, disdninng even The lrghIes', because
Of the servIlude OF which il is badge
| Loalhing the coarse dark bread, and The crisp
waterrre- ses. with visions Of flowing wine
and dainty cheer, that come by Iigh, to
others far less beautiful than thee. Turn
ing the heavy wheel wi,hou, q song, While
mnsing npon all things, and DOMINIC hi.
coarse robe with thoughts Of the sllken soft
ness shroueing forms far more coarsely
moulded If this be peace!
The girl pushed back the heavy hair,
which seemed to sihe her. She no longer
resisted; she stood passive in thu! sofr, yet
compelling clasp.
"Come with me-" said Mona. cts hu,
a step. A liyh, wind will watt US TO the
other shore. Come nearer, and catch the
soft breath of perfume gushing from those
fragrant groves. Hear that burst Of feS!aI
music, ravishlng the very soul as i, steals
over the water See the lights are CLEAN
ing :; but no, more br ghIly Than the eyes
of love tina. will welcome thee Such wild,
ferveni devotion as thy silly heart never
dreamed Of! Giving up The very love of
Heaven for thine Living for .hee-dyng
Tor thee, Mee,a!"
The pure white hand trembled, The maid
ems bosom hedved with low, shuddeIng
sigh.
"Come-come away. cannot wal, Ion
ger upon thee. Every hour shall bring some
new joy from the love that has no law but
thine own sweet will. Away with toll and
care and servitude! Away, tasks unmeel
for thee Jewels shall shine upon This fair
round throat, and loop back the rich drape-
ry that will aida 'housondfold,o thy charms,
and flash in thy floating hair. Come away,
| Neeia, and be''-
".Such one as thou - said another voice,
coldy and s'ernly, to the beautiful, guilty
creature.
"Once more,' cried Norma, with a wild
impotence, stamping upon the flowers al
her feet, while fierce lean shot through
the pleading sollness of her languid eyes
'will thou come, Meeta:'
A quick gasping lhrob, one beseeching
glance 10 the serene heavens, one thought
of prayer, pang, and the struggle was
ended.
NAY. leave me, for thy very touch is
pollution, sending strange fever through
my brain; thine eyes thrill me with fearful
thoughts ! cannot 60 with thee. may
not even listen TO Thy words! Leave me,
{ Norna leave me for The love Of Christ 7"
And then, with a loud insulting laugh, the
) baff1ed semptress had departed, and Mee,a
stood with hands encIasped and eyes low
cred down, listening to another voice, the
, counsel Of one who had been her guide from
childhood.
"Follow me for lave never deceived
? lhee," she said. "Ths is no place for thee,
in the very sight Of such mad revelry. All,
was it wise TO leave the shadow Of The cot
, ,age roof, and plant thy wheel where sounds
: like these float past? Is it maidenly to
, stand there with thy girdle unbound, and
The wind toying with thy hair? Bind up
The scattered locks and let me lead thee"