Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1855-04-03
From the Cincil natl Commercial
MIR MS LOVE.
BY META.

We were sitting BY the sids-Leonard
and {; he leaning back in the wide arm chair,
and at his feet.
Chow can l hope to win her now ?o he
murmured, looking down at his manned arm,
with bitter, defiant look. '.She with her
glorious beauty, her regal pride; so for
above me! Oh! nay love has 20 compassed
me about with its strong arms, has 50 shelter
ed me under its shielding roof, that feel
like an outcast-homsless and lost forever"
Hooked up at him a. hs spoke, and thought
of the time when he had pledged his troth to
Miriam, by that same, shining fire light, when
his manly beauty fell about him like a ripe
sunset, and when he grasped, in his vigorous
hands, such noble pictures Of the future
Now. without even that future to call his own
poor, mam-d and useless, he had come
back to the old trystlng- place. Broken in
health, in hope, in fortunes, and oh more to
be dep ored than all-not even rich in3 love.
s'Leonard said, rising and leaning nv
hand on his chair, 81 am going now-goins
to Miriam"
He started, and a flushed anguish cam
over his still beautiful brow. Hs grasped
my hand convulsively.
cone moment" he whispered some mo-
meet her thus 20
He bowed his face, and the light brown
curls fell, in cloud, aboutjt, soncealing the
and spoke out calmly
81 am ready now will release her from
that vow which cannot be otherwise than irk-
some to her proud spirit. She shall never
know the agony it cost mo to give her up. l
will meet her like man.
S. went cut and left him sitting there,
his love lying like shattered vase, 1t his
feet.
found Miriam before her mirror, arrang-
lDg her hair. She turned her cleaning face
towards me as | entered, and it was overflow
ing with love, hope and expectancy.
els it all cheerful and bright below
stairs ?" she asked quickly.
"Quits beaming," replied.
81 am SO glad" she continued, in joyous
tone. "What long journey he will have,
his cold freezing day! Oh! 1 am so thank
full that am mistress Of Ashburn--proud
beautiful Ashburn; that can offer him
resting place.
Her deep sleeping pride blazed out in her
dark oriental face, and hoodsd it with glory.
Ala. that pride which was to crush such |
great, noble love-such wealth of happi-
aess.
stood beside her, where could see her
beauty in the mirror a. have seen the sun
shine lying afar off on the hills. Red, scorn-
'ul lips; dark, prideful eyes, rich, glowing
,heeks, and waves Of raven hair, braided with /
yems.
"Miriam," said earnestly, 81 should like
% tell you little story, while We arc alone.
that weighs upon my heart, about
about friend of Mines
She turned and looked at me with curl
'us glance, then she said, cheerfully and
quickly: -
ooh, understand; you are going to tell
ne something relative to Lucy-that friend
# whom you used to speak"
1 | bowed my bead in silent ecquiescence.
Then commenced, in a low voica-playing
With the coral with which she was going to
dorm her lovsliness: ~
"This friend of mine is very proud. Three
ears ago, she pledged her troth to a brave,
nanly lover. He also was my friend. They
9th joined hands, and stepped together into
fe aniths world. He, with Aglorius future
trstching wide before him, hopeful heart,
nd a soul full of noble ASPIRATIONS
Show like to him" murmured Miriam,
ride flaming out, again, into her eyss
Gle went abroad,'' | continued, -ssmis-
ortune came upon him, and that ripe, lus-
ious future turned to ashes in his grasp
till hc struggled on, and when he had con-
uered destiny, and built for himself anuril-
: and fairer castle, he lost his right arm,
nd became q crippled, miserable being,
The hand that braided those shining tress-
], trembled visihly. The face 10 the mirror
ssumed a softened expression; the eyes grew
arkly tender. 49, =
"Broken-hearted, toll worn, and grown old
it'll care, he returned to his old home. ITel
Ime to me, for he dared not meet that cold !