Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-12-06
Nllsrellalcous
LOVE AND PRIDE,

We were sitting by the freSile-Leonarl
and he leaned back in his wide ann chair
and at his feet.
.rUow can hope 10 win her now :" he muir
uurrt, looking, down al his manned arm with
Al bitter defiant glance. "She with lei gioH'
Gus beauty, her regal pride 50 far above ME!
Oh, my love hos so compnSsed me about with
lis strong arms, has sheltered me under lis
shelving roof, that feel like an outcast-
homeless and 81 forever"
looked up to him as he spoke, and thought
of the time when he had pledged his troth 10
Miriam by that same shining FIRE light, when
his manly beauty fell on him like rapid sun
SIT when lie grasped in his vigorous hands
such noble pictures Of The future. Now with
out even that future 10 call his own, poor,
maimed and useless, lie come back 10 tie old
,rys,iGg place, broken in health, hope, in
fortune, and oh more deplorabic than all
not even rich IN love.
"Leonarl," said, rising and leaning na3
hand on his chair, 81 am going now-go.ng TO
see MIranl."
his still beautiful brow. He graSped my hand
conyusiveIy. .,,
,ncpt and shall be myself Ogain. | cannot
NEE! her thus"
lie Lowed his face, and lhe light brown
chris fell in a cloud about it, concealing the
oulward struggle. Then ne raised Ills heao
and spoke comly-
al am ready now /; ! will release her from
that VOW which cannot be otherwise than irk
some 10 her proud spirit. She Shall never
know the agony it cost me 10 give her up
will meet her bravely-like o man ~
Solvent out and left him sitting there his
love living like shattered vase at his feet
found Miriam before her mirror, arranging
her hair. She turned her cleaning face 10
wards me as entered, and 1t was overfowlng
with love, hope and expectancy.
ais il bright and cheerful below STAIRS |? she
asked quickly.
"Qulle beaming," replied
al am so glad" she continued in Joyous
tone. "What long journeyhe will have this
freezing day Oh, am SO thankful that am
mistress of Ashburn that can offer him
resting place"
hnauly in the mirror, as have seen the sun
sbine wing arar on the Hill. Red scornfu. lips
dark. pride Gll eyes, glowing checks, anC
waves Of raven hair, braided with geihs.
"Niriam," said earnestly, 81 should like
10 tel; YOU a little story while we are oil alone
Something that weighs upon my heart abou
about friend Of mine"
She, turned and looked at me with curiou!
glance then she said clieerluly and quick
y-
"Oh, understand you are going TO tel
me something relative to Lucla-thal old lfieEC
of whom you used 10 speak"
bowed my head in silent acquiescence.-
Then commenced in low voice, playing
with the coral with which she was going lt
adorn her lovelineSs.
"The friend Of mine is very beautiful AIT
very proud. Three years ago she pIighted he
roth TO a brave manly lover. They both join
ed hands and stepped into lie aud The world
He, with glorious future stretched out widt
before him, a hopeful hearl, and soul ful
OF noble aspirations"
"How like TO him." mUTmured Miriam, pride
flashing out q ain ino her eyes.
"He went abroad," | continued "msfor
tune came upon him, and that ripe, luscious
failure turned TO sshes in bis grasp. Still h,
struggled on, and when he had co queied des
tiny, aud built for himself another and rare
castle, he LOST his Eight orm, and became I
crippled, miserable thing"
The hard that braided those shining treSse
trembed violently The face in the miro
assumed softer expression,--the eyes grew
daTkly tender.
"Broken hearted, toil-worn, and grown oil
with care, he returned 10 bis old home. IL
come 10 me, for he dared not meet that cold
whitening glance Of pride that scornful tri
umph Of station and beauty, in the face OF he
whom he had so worshipped, so adored, vii:
love exceeding all things in width, and height
md power"
,tWas her pride, then, somighty 7-hes wo
mans nature so much less 2" asked Miriam
in voice made husky with indignation an
fear. "Could she--dared she fling him from
her, who had once Jwelt pre- eminent in he
hear He broken hearted aud alone in ih
wild, phleSs world r
''She is woman," ! replied; cher heart
true and loving, but her pride has ever beel
TO her second self. She fears the world viii
lis sneers and jibes have promised him Il
20 to her 10 prepare her for this sad event.
Miriam, how shall counsel heI! how dea
with that supernatural, overwhelming prider
Miriam shook back the waving hair from
her brow, and TUNED her regal face upon me