The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-03-14
RAVENNA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH IA, 1856.


its took up so much time, and all that would
be saved. His logic failed; and then he got
very angry. SO that between her mother
and her lover, the girls life was Lot spent
among roses. She went on, however, doing
her duty steadily = turning neither to the
right hand nor to the left, but acting as she
felt to be right. .-.,-e, -. ...
Her mothers queruEous. complaints used
always to be more severe after some terri
Bile scene with Charles, when, perhaps. he
had been beseeching Isabel not to kill him
with delay. ,-..... . .... ...
One day Charles came to the house, look
ing very pale. ...
"You are ILL" she scid anxiOusly. .
81 am, Isabel, very ILL.," ...
She took his hand and caressed it in both
her own, looking fondly into his face. He
left his hand quite passive. To say the
truth frankly, although he looked ill, he
looked also sulky. ........ .......
"Can do anything for you?" 49,. ..
Everything, Is ABEL" he said abruptly
"Marry me-" .-...
She tried to smile, but her lovers gravity
chilled her.
"You can do all for me, and you do moth
ing" p.
81 will do all can. But if a greater
duty"
ga greater duty!" Charles interrupted
"What greater duty can you have than to
the man you love and who loves you, and
whose wife you have promised to be!''
But, Charley, if l were your wife,
should then have, indeed, no greater duty
than your happiness. AS it is, have more
sacred ties-though none dearer," she add
ed, in her gentlest voice.
81 also have superior duties, Isabel.'
"She started; but after moments pause
she said
"Certainly;" the young man watching her
face intently.
"And how will you feel, Isabel, when
place those ties far above your love, and all
| love you and all that we have vowed to-
gether!"
"Nothing unkind towards you, Charles y
Isabel answered, her heart failing her at the
accusing tone of her lovers voice.
"But, Isabel, you will not let me 60 alone!
he cried, passionately. You cannot have
the heart to separate from me-perhaps for
ever!"
He threw his arms around her,
$50 alone-separate-w do you mean!
Are you going anywhere!' or are you only
trying mel"
"Trying you, my dear Isabel!--no, am
too sadly in earnest!'
"What do you mean, then?" tears filling
her eyes.
"You know that my fathers affairs have
been rather embarrassed lately!"
"No," she said, speaking very rapidly.
"Yes, his West India property is almos
a wreck. He has just lost his agent, of vel
low fever, and must send out some one i'm
mediately to manage his estate. 1t is all HI
has to live on, unless he has saved some
thing-and don't think he has-when HI
can no longer practice at the bar. 1t is tot
important to be lost"
"Well, Charles!"
81 must 60" s6 t ..
There was a deep pause. Isabels sligh
fingers closed nervously on the hand in hers
she made movement as if she would hav
held him nearer to her.
Sand now what will you do, my Isabel
Will you suffer me to 60 alone; will you lie
me leave you, perhaps forever--certainly 70
years--without the chance Of meeting yo
again, and with many chances of death!--
Will you virtually break your engagement
and give me back my heart, worn and deat
and broken or will you brave the worl
with me, become my wife, and share my for
tunes!"
"Charles, can leave my mother, whe
every day may be her last; yet when, b
proper management, she may live years lor
ger! What can do?" ... 81. r..
"Come with me. Listen to the voice {
your own heart and become my wife."
Isabel sank back in deep thought. "No,
she whispered. "my mother first of all---be
fore you.''
He let her hand fall from his. "Choost
then, he said coldly. .,.54.
She clung to him. weeping now an
heart-broken. He pressed her to his hear
He believed that he had conquered. s.
"Choose," he again whispered. 'If yo
have not chosen already" and he kissed h
. tenderly. oaE
"Oh, Charles! you know how dearly
love you" g,s, ...
. At that moment her mothers cough struc
her ear. The windows were open, and
r sounded fearfully distinct in the still sun
mer air. Isabel shuddered, and hid her fat
t on her lovers shoulder, resting it there Fl
many minutes. a1aeg s,l .2al
81 have chosen" she then said after
long pause. She lifted her head and locke
f him in the eyes. Although pale as ma
Bile statue, but quiet and resolved, she new
looked SO love worthy There was som
thing about her very beauty that awed h
, her lover, and something in the very holine
of her nature that humbled and subdued hi
} only for moment; that passed, and a