Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-05-08

being since last they met. Worn down to
a skeleton, her lips compressed as if in ag-
ony, her dark brown hair thrown back
upon her shoulders, while her cheeks
were pale as the marble soon TO be raised
to her memory, which with the glimmer-
ing OF the lights served to make it dis
NAL scene. Staggering forward to chair,
she sat down quickly, but in the agitation
there was slight Nc ise--it awakened the
sleeper-a moment passed--they were in
each others arms.
When the first wild burs! of Joy had
passed away, Grace spoke.
"Sit down here. Ella--l want to be a
lone with you-l feared that might die
before you came--a eonvulsive shuddering
passing over her as she spoke Of DEATH
81 want to give YOU my history. Ills Il
dark picture and yet 1T has all been mine"
"Bat are you not too weak and agita
ted y asked her warm hearted friend.
ooh, no that sweet, quick sleep has
so refreshed me that feel almost like a
mother being-and shall be very BRIEF
You remember my having often told you
that never set my heart on an earthly OBJ
ject but | was doomed to bear a bitter dis
appointment. That weary, stubborn rock,
encireled by the whirl Of youth and en-
thusiastic feeling, which in life S earlier
years, drew within its cireled waves my
lrail bark ofloye and hope, then cast forth
ID wreck forever.
I'm the village in which was raised,
livad one who shared with me the sports
OF childhood---and as we grew older. par
took OF the recreations and amusemehts Of
the young together. There was a strange
similarity in our tastes and dispositions
and we consequently spent much of cur
time in each others society. There. were
those who sometimes smiled to see young
and Sunny haired youth so constantly with
the sensitive, shrinking Grace Warner
but then they knew we were playmates
from childhood, and thought no more.--I
Mother YVES dead and | was under the
guidance of my remaining parent, an only
child-an idoized one---and in my six
teenth year, claimed as the bride OF Samu-
ell Wayiand. Parental judgement frown-
ed. and called it folly. What could | do !?
Our faith had long been piighted, but I'll
lal respect demanded that INT shoul be laid
aside-yet what was to find in the future
that would ever repay for the love SO vain
ly wasted II was all blank. | nerved
my heart for our last meeting, but the
strings were iibrous, aud they broke.
81 shall SO to the West, and then you
must forget me" said |, when we came to
part.
Never, Grace will you be forgotten p
be replied.
We parted there forever. He is still
living. lone wandcrer on the earth--we
have never had any communication-but
there is unity Of eeling, loneness of spir-
it, that at times makes me feel as if we
were scarcely separated. | enjoy plea
sure in thinking OF his memory, conf
denec that would trust him anywhere in
this world and now believe that wher-
ever he is, his heart is still true to me-
AS for me, | have hurried through life like
storm stricken bird, having no rest from
the busy scenes in which mingled
Since then, there have been proposals in
which honor, wealth. and distinction, were
connected-and once had well nigh sold
myself 10 r interest. and TO please my faith
er. We were promised and | was con-
graduated on my happy prospects; but,
alas alas for me--the more memory re-
yerted to the past, my feelings revoted
from the present. sometimes used to
stand where | could see him pass in the
street, and exelaim, "Oh, Heaven! can
marry that man can stand before the al
tar, and promise to love and honor him,
when abhor his presence p Time
was hasting-one night went down into
the study --my father was sitting there.
"Well, Grace" said he, ~ suppose
you will leave us soon.
That was eno"gh fer my pent up eel-
lngs TO break forth. Il suppose So said
l-"but oh, father, would rather see NV
grave open tomorrow, than to think of
uniting my destiny with that man. Ny
very soul detests him.
Sit down, Grace, and write letter TO
Mr.. M" said my father, and tell him
thai you cannot keep your pro Mise and the
reason why. Far would It be from me to
place in the hands of my only daughter
things of misery unn.ixed. My iudg-
ment and your feelings differ. +"
1t was late that night when | sealed The
fatcd letter for M.-but retired and slept
easy-thele was burden removed which
had well nigh crushed me, what have
experienced since, words can never tell.
the young have deemed me ;mpenetrable
to the natural susceptibilities of our ma
lures, while the old have called me trlaipe.
But, Ella, depend upon it. heart once
truly given, can never be bestowed again.
have erred in trying to conceal my his
tory in the manner | have. Instead of
placing my dependence on the goodness
Of the Most High, and seeking for that
balm which heals the wounded spirit, and
acquiring calmness OF mind which
would render me in measure happy,
plunged into the vortex of worldly plea.
sure. But it is all over now--they say
AIN in consumption, and pity me, to