The Empire County argus., 1854-02-18
A PAGE FROM A WOMAN.S HEART;
OR. FEMALE HEEOISM.

OR tEmALE HEEoIsM.
| How did you come in possession Of this'" said
young man, directing the pawnbrokers attention 10
a small, ruby PIN in The showcase.
! THAT! ., that was brought here last night, by
a prctyioh younS woman, who seemed to hc in a
great f1uster about the money, and 50 J bought it
Of her
How did she look? Had she blue eyes? Was
she tall and sender.n
Lord bless your soul! !" said the pawnbroker 81
has hundreds Of en- in hare every day; | neyer
locks twice at ON She was a brokcn-down lady,
reckon. Somebody said she lived up that court
yonder. Like to redeem the brooch, SIR"
Yes, certainly" said Ernest; and paying the
extortioncr five times what he had given for it, he
deposited it III his vest pocket
'Good God thai Agnes hcarn should come to
this = his first exclamation on reaching the
street "lhat brooch, that have seen sparkle on
her snowy neck thousands Of times, when | could
have kissed the very ground her iij,le foot trod
upon Agnes in a pawnbroker's shop" And he
reeled and leaned for support against juting wall
of the old builiing just then, little gir rir}a.,i
past and, striking her foot against the cur5-sonr
fell heavily against him. Ernest raised her in
moment. ana kissing her little, innocent face was
about releasing Lc1, when the thought struck him
that She might assist him in his search for Agnes.
~ here do you live, pretty one!" said he locking
into her bright blue eyes.
Il can't tell" said the child, blushing; "my
mamma bids NE not talk to strangers. Vi ont you
please put me down. SIR"
Yes, certainly said Ernest as he saw her lit;c
lip begin to culver "ony tell nle your name first"
ii can't tell said she again, with womanly de-
cIslon that would have amused him at any other
time. SO. putting her gently down upon the pave
lnent, he prepared to follow her at a distance.
There was something in the expression of her face
that Interested him,--that reminded him Of one he
had loved, 0, how deeply And ,hen he counted
the weary years that had interviewed since her
riage. Yes it mi ght be her child.
On she went little Minnie, turning corner after
corner, with the speed of an antelope, then disap-
peaIed up the small, dingy court into the doorway
OF q small, black house, never once turning her
graceful little head.
Ernest followed, She opened a small door, and.
forgetting in her haste 10 close it after her, he
heard her say,--ahno;t breathlcss from Snocd and
agltaAon,--'l didn't tell mamma; | Didn't tell
The gentleman asked me my rame and where
lived; but,-kiss me, mamma, | certainly didn't
tell him.
Dear Child said the mother rs she gave her
| kiss.
That voice there was but one in the wide world
that could thrill him.
%, mamma. here he isl said Minnie as she
tried to close the door a certainly didn't tell
HIM and she began to sob piteou.ly.
Agnes Ernest" They were simple word, to
convey so much meaning Your husband, A. gn2s,
is be dead! Why do fad you here" She shool,
Nv hat them" said Ernest, drawing himself up
as if he were already called upon to protect her
Dead to me said Agnes in low voice
Ernest took from his pocket the small brooch
You must have suffered much ere you Iartcd With
this, Agnes 1t has old me /. silent tale Of misery
that will not pain your heart to echo. | ak you
not Of HIM 1t is enough for me that lie is liying
while you are sutf, ring mere. will not curse him
IN your presence: but ! gnoS, you must give iuc
the right OF an old friend 10 take care Of YOU vou
must leave this wrejchcd place" and he locked
first at her, then at the miserable surroundings.
~ our father, Agnes docs he know Of this ! Is
money still his god =
Agnes replied only by her tears
"ieII mellow have you lived p said Ernest
She pointed to = small eacritojrc in the corner cf
! the room,
'&low staryation" said he coutcmrtuously.
This is folly Agnes. Just look at your position :
! deserted. from ayaricious motives by those who
should rally around you in the hour oi trial vast
ing your youth and health in humbling yourself GY
your position nor appreciate YOURSELF Agnes, give
me, Ii may claim no dcarcr titlc,--a hr0tAt IS
right 10 provide and care for YOU"
Agnes Nearn rose from her chair, pale, but calm
Listen to me, Ernest. What have bccn YOU
know what | am now by Gods dark Providence.
you soc That have suffered more kccnly than
you, who read my heart so well can dream, | ac-
knowledge Nothing meets m eye here that is not
coarse and rcpul,iye have deprived myself Of
food that my child might not hunger. have no
earthly father, save in name; but, through all this,
Ernest, | have preserved my se-rc,pcct. amd
would rather die than take one dollar. even as
loan, from you. Nay, hear me, out" said she,
laying her hand upon his arm, as he strobe pa
tienty across the room. This poor, weary heart
is tired and taskcd to the utmost. Like Noall's
dove, it finds no resting-pace Nay, spare your
reproaches. and be generous. Think you it costs
that heart nothing to turn coldly away. and say
nay" and her voice tremLivd and her eyes filled
with tears ERNEST, my heart may not echo back
your words Of kindness: the love that is born Of
sorrow is strong. and wild and deep. Leave me
Ernest Do not deceive yourself; it is mott broth
ers heart you offer me. must toll on unaidcl by
you. The night has been long, tedious and star
| less: the morning must dawn ere long. Will wait
and trust. If iOrsako not myself, God will not
fUrsakc me-"
"Oncc morc-shall leave you Agnesln said the
| young lHnn, as he took her hand.
''l.od wills it," was her low reply
The door closed upon Erncsts Iot' eating figure
then her wonan's heart gave way. Covering her
face with her hands, she wept long and bitterly
then came holy calm-a peace which only those
may know who are seli-conquerors.
And where was that earthly father lie ate