Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-05-12
THE BOSOM SERPENT.


Poor, foolish Rosomondl she had
wrought herself up to state border
ing on despair. and the reyulsion Of her
feelings was so great that she almost
tainted 10 the arms that opened to en-
fold her. Her folly, her madness. her
injustice and seifshness stared her so
fearfully in the face. she was appalled,
and seIf.condemned. Like the base
Judean. she had been about to throw
away from her "a gem richer than all
its tribe"--a gem OF whose priceioss
worth she had never till this moment
been fully conscious. She made the
most solemn resolutions for the future,
invoking upon herself the most awful
penalties if she ever again yielded to
q passion so degrading. But passion
once admitted is not 50 easily DISPOSE
essed Of its hold. Every self-relying
effort is but a faxen withe bound
round the slumbering giant. broken in
the first grasp Of temptation. Jeal-
ously is that demon, whose name is
Legion, which flies from the rebuking
voice Of 0mnipotence alone. Roso
mond did not say, "If God give me
strength, viii triumph over my in
dwelling enemy" She said. 1.-The
tempter shall seek me in vain--I am
strong. and defy its power" Roso-
mond was once more happy. but she
had planted a thorn in the bosom of
another, sharp. deep and ranking
No after kindness could obliterate the
remembrance Of that involuntary,
piercing glance. TWAS but the sheath
ing Of the of the weapon. Eugenla
felt that the cold steel was still Turk
ing in the scabbard, ready to fash
forth at the bidding of passion. A
few evenings after the scene just de-
scribed, when she had been playing
and singing some of Cecirs favorite
songs, At the magnanimous request Of
Rosomond, she turned suddenly to Ce-
ell and said
81 think overheard a friend Of
yours say TO you the other day, that
might make my fortune on the
stage. Now" added she blushing.
81 do not wish TO 20 upon the stage,
bu. ii mv musical talents could give
me dis1a,.loa there, they might be
made useful in the domestic circle.
have been told OF u lady who wishes
an ins.ructress for her daughters.-
Suffer me to offer myself for the sit
uation. If through your bounty /
am possessed ofaccomplishments which
may be subservient to myself or 9TH
ers, is it notmy duty to exercise them?
should have done thissooner-I have
been too long an idler."
"No. no, Eugenia. said Rosomond.
warmly. every good and generous
feeling Of her heartin full and ener-
getic operation--"we can never sane
ton such a proposition. Is not this
YOUR home as well as mine? Are you
not our sister? Remember the three
fold cord that never was to be bro
KEN" She pressed Eugenia's hand
in both her own, and continued, in a
trembling voice-"If l have ever
seemed cold or unkind, forgive me.
Eugenia, for l believe am a strange.
itful being. You found me sad
mourncr over the grave Of my mother.
with weekend nerves and morbid sensi-
bililies. NV mind is getting health
Ter tone. Remain with us-we shall
be happier by and BY"
Completely overcome by this un-
expected and candid avowal. Eugenia
threw her arms around Rosomond's
neck and excIaimed-"I shall be the
hsppiest being in the world, il you
indeed love me. have no Que else in
the world to love but you and my ben
efactor."
Cecil felt as il be could have pros
trated himself at Rosomond's feet,
and thanked her for her noble and
generous conduct. He had waited in
trembling eagerness for her reply. 1t
was more than he expected. Il was
all he wished or required.
"Be but true to yourself, my below
ed Rosomond." said he, when he was
alone with her, "and you can never be
unjust to me. Continue in the path
you have have now marked out, and
you shall be repaid not only with my
warmest love, but with my respect.
my admiration. and my gratitude"
Thus encouraged. Rosomond felt
new life flowing in her veins. Though
she could not sing according to scien-
tifcrules. her buoyantspirit burst forth
in warbling notes, as she moved about
her household duties, with light. boun-
ding steps. rejoicing in the conscious
ness Of removed reason. Week after
week glided away. without any cir
cumstance arising to remind them OF
the past. Indeed ell seemed to have
forgotten that anything had ever dis.
turbed their domestic peace.
"0hl what beautiful Howerl' ex.
claimed Rosomond. as riding with hen
husband, on a lovely autumnal even,
ing. they passed a public garden. or,
namented.with the last flowers of the
season 81 wish 1 had some of them
There are the emblems Of love, con-
stancy and devotion. II / had them
now. would bind them on my heart,
in remembrance Of this enchanting
ride"
you shall have them speedily
dear Rosomond." replied he "even IL
like the gallant knight who named the
sweet flower Forget nse-nos. sacrifice
my life to purchase them"
Rosoaond Little thought those flow
ers. sought with such childish earnest
ness. and promised with such sportiyt
gallantry. were destined to be so fata
to her newly acquired serenity. A,