Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-05-05

pise1 and rejected one"
"You were very foolish; you NIGH
have been the very one she loved"
80, no." said Carl, 81 am not vain
enough to believe that. | have courage
enough TO face a cannon's mouth, bul
not enough to run the risk Of refusal from
my lady iove.''
80, what a coward; | advise you, il
you return. and find her unmarried, to
pay your devotions TO ner Immediately.
III be bound 10 say she is dying in love
for you Why, you are just the man to
please pretty girl"
"Well." said Carl, 81 don't say
shan't; but shall not want YOU TO appear
in the scene, with those witching eyes Of
yours. On my word, you are the hand
soonest litile fellow | ever saw, in spite
of your black lace"
"But what is the name ofthe fair one?"
inquired Beta.
90" said Carl, "you would not be
any wiser if | should tell you; but she
was called the most beautiful girl in Ar.
no."
! After Car! and Beta were discharged
from the army they proceeded together
over the beautiful land of France, to-
wards their native mountains. But the
angel of death, who had passed over
Carl and Beta in battle, now seemed TO
have marked the brave soldier for his
own, just as he was returning to his
loved and peaceful home. He tried 10
resist the influence of the fatal disease
which was upon him. but in vain; he was
obliged 10 stop on his way.
Nothing could exceed The distress Of
Beta, when she saw him thus brought
down to severe sickness; she watched
constantly over him, nor would leave
his side doy nor night; she administered
his medicines, baihed his throbbing head
and tended him as careful as a mother
would her loved and only child. But,
alas, il was evident he must die; the phy-
sician gave hin over, and discontinued
his visits as useless.
.'Plerre," said Carl, one day TO Beta,
81 feel that my hour is come; but o. how
can | thank you for all your care and
love for me; you have soothed many a
pang for me, and smoothed nv passage
to the grave. But, o, how | wish |
could see nv loved home once more,
and my dear mother"
Co." said Beta, encouraging "you
will; You must not be discouraged"
80, must die; there is no hope for
me-" said Carl.
"O." exclaimed Beta, "you must not
die; for my sake you must not. What
shall do if You do not live; shall wish
to die too"
"Pierre, never could understand how
YOU could love me so; il is really won-
derful how you have exerted yourself TO
take care of me! | really believe you
wou'd lay down your life for me-"
"well," said Beta, "you must not
talk any more; now try to sleep, and
perhaps you wi be BETTER"
From that time a favorable change
took place; sleep gradually stole over
him. for the first time for many weary
days and nights; and when he awoke
the crisis was past. Beta's Joy was un-
bounded, and Carl thanked her as the
preserver of his life. lie rapidly re-
covered, and was soon able TO resume
his journey. But Beta told him she
could not accompany him any farther,
for now their destinations lay in differ
ent directions. Carl took leave of her
with full heart, and made him promise
that he would soon visit him at Arno.-
When Carl arrived at his valley home.
he heard with surprise of the death of
Beta's parents. and her own sudden and /
mysterious disappearance. No one
could conjecture where she had gone,
nor what led her 10 such step. He
felt more disappointed al this than he |
himself would have believed he could /
have been; but now looked with impa-
tience for Pierre to arrive.
After Car had gone, Beta went to
neighboring establishment &c engage, as
she said, a place as waiting-maid for
her sister, which having secured, she re.
turned 10 her boarding place and settled
with her landlord, and told him she |
would depart in the evening; she then
went to her room. and washed as well
as she could the dark stains from her
skin. and put on some female garments
she had prepared; she then watched her
opportunity and stole away unperceived,
earring her wardrobe in a bundle.-
She then took carriage which was pas.
sing. that soon conveyed her to the place
she had engaged
About two months after this time, Il
was spread through Arno that Beta had
come on visit 10 her aunt, and that she
was serving as waiting maid in hotel
at town within days journey of the
place. All rushed to see her. and not
lew of her former lovers stood ready to
offer their hearts and homes. But Carl
delayed making his appearance until
two weeks after her arrival. and Beta
was rather piqued at his want of ardor.
and therefore received him more coldly
than otherwise she would have DONE
She was greatly altered in appearance;
Il stead of the slight delicate girl, who
two years ago stole away from home,
she had grown robust in her appears
ance, and acquired a dignifed mien
very unlike her former self. She had