American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-06

my heart then rose to my throat | grasped
the air, and sobbed as | saw the radiant vision
vanish.
| gathered more. / tied them together with
a ribbon that Nina had once given me with
locket in which she had placed a ringlet of her
siiken hair That | wear yet, and it will go
with me into my coffin. / rose and walked
sadly out of the forest, and found myself once
more under Nna'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 linnets in the mulberry tree.
leaned my head on my hand and, casting nv
eyes on the lilies, found they were fading.
The flowers seemed to have lost their vitality
that day. Why, did not care to ask. took
out my bouquet-my withered pansies: they
were "hearts-ease," but not to me, for my
heart was ill at ease. / laid the lilies on the
Window-sll, and left the spot. | knew she had
them, for, as | went away, | heard her voice
say" Karl is it thou I" and trembled Her
"voice was SOFT gentle, and low, an excellent
thing in woman, as a great writer says; and
felt its truth in all it's power.
The day went by and was restless, and
wandered forth again Yes by the forest
fountain, caverned by the outrageous trees
while the waters bubbed-while the leaves
cattered while the birds sang-while God
made human hearts glad-while calmly, So
lemnly, enjoyed the quiet beauty Of that grand
sacristy-there | suddenly saw them twain
Gottleb and Nina.
He was leaning against rock, bare headed
his good gun slung on his shoulder-his eyes
fixed on Nina's face. Oh, Nina! Nina! how
that face of thine then fascinated, for IL
alas | can remember it noW and-but this is
not to the purpose
1t was all light that face was then 1t was
all love The eyes poured forth the feeling
the lips conceived the expression. What fate
carried me then to the fountain?
She was placing flower in his hat. She was
looking up into his face and laughing He was
grave, however, and somewhat pale. Had he
been telling her his secret? Had he been
making his confession? l wrung my hands as
l cast my hat down under the forest fountain,
for the air was hot and sutfocating. To listen
would have been a crime-to look it was no
crime; but oh the severity of that punish
ment
Then he spoke out know not what; and
she grew grave in turn. l could see that her
cheek whitened, and that, while she was silent
as the dead, she listened with all her soul 1
could no longer doubt, and refused to believe.
What had l done to you, Gottlieb that you
should try to rob me of my love?
To listen was infamy. My heart revolted
from it, and yet could not tear myself from
the spot. For just when had gathered up my
energies to go from thence, l heard her voice,
deep, remulous-majestic in its great solem-
nity-and she said to him
eyes, Gottlieb, l dol will. There's nv
hand, and with it my troth %
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
hfe golden with flowers and green with gar
lands-I, alas! was casting my eyes towards
the grave. Had she so entirely forgotten me
No! God be praised no-not quite.
"Gottlicb!-Gottlieb!" she said in such a
tone-such tenderness, "what will Karl think?
what will he say? and you know how he loves
me. Win it not be cruel ?"
"Poor Karl" said Gottlieb, and heard no
more. l did not faint, nor cry out nor grow
ngeful-wrathful- wicked All dear God
no-why should l interfere with the course of
her true heartfelt love / then knew that he
had saved her life, and had claim upon her.
trust L did not injure him by an unworthy
feeling.
could see her no more after; and when I
lay i'll in my bed, and death seemed coming to
me, it would have been very welcome. | had
only my poor withered pansies to look upon as
her relic. Her eyes, her face, her sweet white
hands, was never to look on or to touch again
"Adieu, Nina! said /, when l looked at them
now falling asunder leaf by leaf in my hands
know not how got up on the morning that
heard they were to be married but / did so
and nota living soul knew Of it. My godfather,
who sat by my pillow day and night, was worn
out with watching, and l stole forth and was in
the church ere the bridal party came.
saw them kneel Mt the altar nina thou
vert very cruel, methinks. lie could never love
thee MS l" so unused to myself They were
kneeling at the altar, and l heard their voices
vow to love and cherish each other Her voice
was strong and firm. His was loud and manly.
They both sworc truly. Little did they know
who was sacrificed to this terrible fidelity.
No, Nina-not to him who adored thee, didst
thou come or send. l pined for her face and
saw it not. When l knew it was another's,
turned my face to the wall and desired to be at
peace. still carried the pansies on my breast
they were not hearts case.
1t was not autumn with met was winter
The winds were singing dirges over my hopes.
Oh, heart heart what didst thou not suffer!
Yet blessed Nina and her husband when il
ached most
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