The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-08-30

and think often Of me-"
He kissed her fair brow, while she strug
|gled bravely to repress her tears, an,
sprang rapidly down the steep path whic
led to the beach below, where his boa
waited for him. Long stood Alice on tn
edge of the cliff, watching the gay li,tl
boat dancing over the waves. just curle,
by fresh breeze. Long she watched i,
till the distance no longer allowed her t
distinguish the form of her lover--till, ia
out in the bay, it approached the ship
which, with all her sails set, and gleamin.
in the sunlight. only awaited the arrival o
her captain, before steering her cours,
towards the far East.
Alice returned to the house, calm an(
Iquiet, and none Of those who saw the gen
tie. cheerful manner in which she perform
ed the little duties of her daily life. coule
have OWNED that, under her calm exterior
a solemn conviction was day by day i'm
pressing itself deeper in that young heart
that she should see him no more.
Months passed away; spring had pas
sed into summer, and that in its turn had
given place 10 autumn; and the stormy
winds, and the dark leaden-looking bill
lows. with their cresis of white foam, drew
many an anxious sigh from the heart Of
that fair watcher. as she took her daily
walk to the top of the cliff from which she
had seen her lovers ship disappear. Once
or twice she had heard from him: and oh!
what happiness it was to see his writing
again, and to read over and over the pre-.
cious words. that told of his unchanging
love. and of his hope of speedily return.
ing to claim his bride. And oh! best OF
all! he had said-"I begin to tire Of nv
long voyage; foreign scenes charm me no
longer; and the fair vision of home.
which rises constantly before my eyes. is
worth them all! Yes! infinitely more than
I all! A few months more, and shall tell
my sweet bride tales of sights and adven-
lures which will make US value the joys OF
a peaceful home as they were never valued
before.''
"Alice. my love-" said her mother. one
morning, ''do you know what day of the
month i, is? This day month will be your
birthday"
Yes. dear mother. do not forget it;
aud see," she added. a bright smile light
ing up her face, edward does not forge,
it either She held up in triumph let
ter in his well.known handwriting. "IIe
says he thinks he shall be here as soon as
the letter; but he sent il. in.case he might
chance to be detained a day or two longer
ihan he. antcipaled.''' and she pointed gai-
ly 10 the last words sot the letter-'.Alf
we'll, and the wind fair for home; let every
thing beready by your birthday Itis |
who shall receive the best gift on that
day; but have few pretty things for you.
too.'o
II seemed that day as il the burden that
had SO long oppressed her had vanished;
and never had Alice's spirits seemed so
had her gentle beauty
seemed SO brlliant-and her mothers eye
followed her with proud londness, as she
flew from room TO room, seeing that every
thing was in order; "for you know" she
said, .'he may be here very soon-to. NOR.
row, or even o-day. The ship must be
very near, for that letter has only been
written a week"
With a light heart Alice walked that
evening to her favorite spot = the spot
where little more than year ego she had
felt as if her heart must have broken in the
agony OF parting with her lover. The
sealay calm and still in the light Of the
moon; now and then a little fishing boat
beams; and Alice half laughed at her own
folly, when her heart beat so quickly, if
one larger than the rest caught for a mo.
ment bright CLEAN upon its sails. She
stood there long, enjoying the beauty OF
the scene. and her own happy thoughts.
and il was with sigh she returned to the
house, for it seemed to her as if they were
nearer together when she gazed upon the
same waters which bore her Edwards re-
turning ship.
"One month longer | may call you
Emine," said her mother; and she kissed
and gave her her evening blessing. "In
one short month must resign my trea
ure; he has loved you long, Alice, but not
SO long as have, and you must forgive
mel" she added. smiling, .'if should Sc.
cretly wish he were not coming quite SO
soon."
Alice playfully put her hand on her
mothers mouth, and then tripped up
stairs.
'.Ah! Miss Alice!'' ssaid her old nurse,
.lt is long since | have seen you look so
bright and glad as you do Tonight; only
look as well on your birth day, and then
people may say. truly enough, that there
couldn', be handsomer pair in the king
dom. only hope Mr.. Edward mayn't
have got hisself burnt, too brown away
there in foreign parts"
.Never mind the brown, nurse. Good
nigh,i'
In the silence Of her own room. Alice
once more read over The psecious letter.
looked again at the date, and counted the
days. 70 morrow, think, he must be
here, 'ssshe said.
Full Of, the deepest thankfulness for all
the blessings which had fallen TO her lot,
il was long before she could sleep; her
thoughts. we're so busy; at last. however,
they became more and more indistinct,
and she slept. How long, she knew moi;
but she was awakened by strange sound !,
which seemed at first to mingle with hen
dreams strange and, awful, unlike any.
|ahing she could expect to hear at such a
Time, in such a place! She sat up ia bed