Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-02-09
CHAP TER w.
THE RUGGED PATH.

Faithful embems of my own dead
hopes were those wiihered roses living
upon the hall floor. Margare, swept the
crushed crimson heap away. and pass.
ed on silenhy to the breakfast room
And. as he morning wore awav, my
heart grew heavy and sat. Dreaded
Robert. shrank from his rcproaches
--his entrea,ies. And a, las, Robert
came. He entered the room with a
bright smile and Joyous greerns. but
scarcely answered him | looked up.
on the floor, aad my heart beat quickly
Now, Agnes, sweet. for your decis
ion: but | know it alreaiy--of course,
you will 60 with met" and Robert alnQ
himself upon ihe sofa beside ne.
hcsitaled moment. and in that no
moment cried to Gpd for strength. aud
then spoke. told Robert all. kept
no!.back from him my grievuus struggle.
| hid from him nothing. Once or twice
his face flushed deeply.and he s,rove 10
speak: but went on calmly and solemn
ly. and when | had finisheh,.I pressed
my hands over my eyes, and bowed
myself before the storm. =, And /. came.
Oh! what torrent of wild en,reates,
bitter reproachcs and stern upbraldIngs
did Robert pnur forth, mingled all the
while with strange, touching tender.
ness which made me weep aud IrembIe.
"0h! Robert be calm" | pleaded;
"have mercy on me. How can you urge
me to trampIe SO cnmplvtely npon duty!"
Il recognize nn duty here, Agnes"
was the cold reply. "Yo Owe moth.
ing to your aua!--sae merits nothing at
your hands. She has even bid you leave
her: and yet, with a strange peGserslly,
yon turn from me ami cling 10 herr
Oa! woman, so belnvedi where now is
all your love for M? IL has fleeted by
like mist. Fool ihal | was ever to
trust in it. But, Agnes, is there no pity
in your heart! Cannot your unnatural
resolution be shakcn!" aud Robert lock :
ed imploringiy in my face. Yet, / was
firm. even though my heart seemed al
mos: breaking, even although my tears
fell as binding shower dared not
turn from duty. and, upaeii by "iho De
liverer's own righs arm | grew strong.
Tempt me no lorgcr, Robert, 10
love you better than any one on e.rlh ;
vet cannot 60 with yGu.
Aud again flashed uut RJberI's haogh-
". jealous spirit. Mrs. Freyore had
warued me of it, but | did not dream OF
it's fierce bitterness. ! bore Roberts re.
proaches calmly; but. IT lasi. he blamed
me with sordi,i. mercenary designs.
- understand your motives. Agnes,
and YOU cloak them under hypocTi,ir2i
garb of duty. You ara lingering near
your aunt Ethel To cheat her into leaving
you all her lair lands and goodly pos
sessions"
With this unlus, taun. sprang up all
The pride of my na,ure. aud ! hauhgiily
turned from him. babe him leave me,
aud leave me forever.
You have been unjust, unmerciiai
with me. Robert, and will listen 10 you
no longer
Robert Trevors gave me no answer.
He leaned his head upon the msnlel, and
for a time there was deep silence IN the
rocm.
.,Oh! Robert, shall we no, parl kind.
iy!' and laid my hand half ,imIdly up
on his shoulder.
Robert drew me closely to his bosom.
He wepi over me. He pressed many
kisses upon my lip and brow, and then
he pushed me wildly from him.
"Hencetorlh. we are To one another as
strangers; but. oh! this fearful work has
not been mine. God bless you Agnes!
Farewell, now, and le, it, inieed, be for
ever"
When a, las. l raised my head, l
was alone. Robert had gone. Then
agains, duty did my heart leap up in
fierce rebellion; and. kneel!ng by the
window with ouis,reiched arms and
choking sohs, ! cried
"Oh! Robert, Robert, come back"
Bu, he did not hear me--he WAS al
ready too far off. The sun shone. The
birds sung. and the waters dsshed on
gaiIy; but IL. a miserable ceeper. still
hinge. led upon my knees, and ,he cry Of
my hear, was
"Oh! Robert. Robert. come back
Iawoke l as from deep sleep. and |
found myself upon my own bed. For
moment, wondered now Icame there,
and then | remembered, when arose
from my knees, by the window. that |
bad crep, up stairs. aud shut myself IN
my own room. My head had whir.ed
strangely. a noise Of many waters had
seemed To ill my ears. and. with sud
den swelling of the heart. had fallen
upon my bed.
So had awakened now, not from
sleep, but from swoop--a swoon OF
misery; and vividlv came back every
tor,uring memory. Margaret came To
me with her tea-tray. but SER, her a
way directly. for | could no, eat, and
the kind. old woman went down stairs.
grieved because seemed so sick.
Days passed by, and ! bore my sor-
rows accomplishing. was calm. for
| had gained that strength which none
but woman can altain-a strength
made perfect through silent wre,ched
ness. No tidings from "the Grange" /"
Elsy stood aloof from me, and saw
neither her or Mrs. rrevors. Robert.