The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-01-19
CHAPTER II.

- ~ CHAPTER II.
Three years had elasped. The coldly,
proud Louise was seated in the same par.
lor in which she had rejected the heart of.
fering made by the noble-minded Joseph,
but her appearance was much changed
so. alas! was her heart. She held an un.
open letter in her hand, while her mind
was waited nsensibly to events Of the past
that mystic land Of dreams. grim and
shadowy, but none the less beloved on
that account. Soft words, breathing sor.
row, tell from her lips.
"Three years since, Joseph left to super.
intend our foreign house at Havre. Three
years! | thought myself then free-free
as the bird that skins the air in its wild
and rapid Aight-tree TO fix my choice, if
the object came. without restraint or
control; and suitors have come-offered,
for my hand, yet all have rejected and
why? Because my beau ideal of lover
was but dream! | looked for outward
grace, and not Tor inward worth-that solid
base on which our choice should fix
Charles Gordon! fashions fool. Strange!
Since cousin Joseph left US, without to me
even an adieu. he has ever been with me;
as each week, month, year. has passed, he
has come nearer 10 my fancy's image.
Time has told its tale upon my heart,
thoughts and feelings; and |, who drove
him hence, would give the world to draw
him back to me-but pride said no. In
my dreams he is with me. in may waking
hours even in my mind. Remembrance Of
the pains caused him strikes the chords Of
self.reproach, till am unfit for converse or
society"
She awoke with start from her wa.
king dream. and proceeded TO open the
letter. 1t was from her cousin Joseph;
and as she continued to read, her lace be.
came flushed with emotion and then turned
deadly pale
Joseph had succeeded in forgetting her;
so said the leiter-and was about to return
with the intention of wooing an American
lady for his bride.
"The blow has come, murmured Louise
in heart broken voice; the blow merit
and have courted, for it fulfls my wish
Oh! am we'll repaid for all my cruelty to
one who loved me-whom | love; my
pe,ted childhood, his constant worship,
took reason from me-knowledge of my.
self--even this has come from his desire
for my happiness, but the shaft dealt
with cruel aim on him has returned up.
on myself.
but must soon not feel thus. III have
some pride, some firmness. Did he not
leave me, without a wordl lie did not
press me, as woman should be-expects.
No. in spite of him and all, | will be gay"
But how changed were her feelings,
when, a few days after, she beheld the com.
panion of her youth, no longer the dull
cousin OF former times, but dashing
young man OF fashionable appearance and
distinguished manners. And how she
sighed in noticing the careless ease evinced
in her society; it was then she learned thai
love is tyrant--not slave; a master moi
menial. 1t is the magic power whose
enchantment can cast chains around the
hearts Of princes, potentates and MOBILES
whose influence, is universally felt and sell
dom dared-whose entrance into the hu
man heart is as often effected by degrees
as with precipitation. Love tames the
pride Of the warrior, makes the monarch
bow the knee and visits the lordly palace
or the humble cottage at will; bolts, bars
walls, and ramparts, may keep at bay
everything but love. I
"And this is his triumph!' she calculated
on gaining The silence Of her own apart
ment-this is his manly triumph. He i.
another and I--oh! how lone | feel
my father was right. shall see him leav,
me in the world alone--lone in heart
And for whom? My cousin Joseph-ior
cannot denyit to myself love him,
scarce look upon him, while his mani!
eye was fixed and firm. Oh! how longet
for the love gances which even III hi
boyhood helavished on me. could hav
borne all, but the confession that he wa
another's-,hat was nothing to him-hs
sister-fne term, truly! and | must se
him marry-present his bride to me
Never! never!"
j There was a moments pause, and thel
Louise said, in a voice Of assumed kind
ness.
j $50, you are about to wed, and for ths
purpose, wish herr" '7"'' ''