The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-04-25

my heart at iiraes had throbbed almost
to excess, was transformed into ardent
love.
II sought Xarisa in the garden,
where found her in bower of jessa-
mines, arranging her beautiful hair in the
mirror Of a crystal fountain. ian TO her
with open arms, and was received with a
sisters embraces, upbrading me for leav
ing her so long alone.
We seated ourselves by The fountain, and
| FASTENED to reveal the secret conversa-
ton had overheard.
al S! cried she, then our happiness
is at an end ~
"'IIow !! cried I,'wiltthou cease to love
me because l am not thy brotheri"
4" Alas, mol" said she gently with
drawing from my embrace; but when it
is once made known we are not brother
and sister, we shall no longer be permitted
to be thus always together
"ln fact, from that moment our inter-
course took new character. We met
often at the fountain among the jessa-
mines, but Xarisa no longer advanced
with open arms to meet me. She became
reserved and silent, and would blush and
cast down her eyes, when l seated my
self beside her. My heart became prey
to the thousand doubts and fears that ever
attend upon true love. Restless and un-
easy, l looked back with regret to our
unreserved intercourse, when we supposed
ourself brother and sister; yet, would
not have had the relationship true, Tor the
world.
"Whle matteis were in this state be-
tween us, an order came from the king OF
Granada for the Aicayde to take CON-
mand of the fortress Of Coyn, on the
Christian frontier. lie prepared to move
with all his family, but signifed that
should remain at Cartama. | declared
that could not be parted from Xarisa.
This is the very cause said he, 'why |
leave thee behind. 1t is tine Abendaraez,
thou shouldst know the secret oi thy birth.
Thou art no son Of nine, neither is Mar
isa Try sister, Il know it ALL exclaimed
|, 'and love her with tenfod the affection
Of a brother. You have brought us up
together; you have made us necessary to
each others happiness; our hearts have
entwined themselves with our growth
do not now tare them asunder. Fill up
the measure Of your kindness be indeed
father TO me by giving me Xarisa for
my wife.
"The brow Of the Alcayde darkened a.
spoke. Have I then been deceived I
said he. 'llave those nurtured in my very
tosom, been conspiring against me' Is
this your return for my psternal tender,
ness ito beguile the affections of my
child, and teach her 10 deceive her father
1t would have been cause enough to re-
fuse thee the hand Of my daughter, that
thou vert Of prescribed race, who cali
never approach the walls of Granada
this, however, ! might have passed over
but never will give my daughter to q
man who has endeavored 10 win her from
me by deception
"All my attempts TO vindicate myself and
Sarisa were uIavailiug. retired in an
guish from lis presence, and seeking IA.
rissa told Der Of this blow, which WAS
worse than death to me. 'Xarisa,' said
I'VE part forever! shall never see thee
more! Thy father will guard thee rigid.
ly. Thy beauty and his wealth will soon
attract some happier rival, aud shall be
forgotten"'
"Xarisa reproached my want of faith,
and promised eternal constancy. still
doubted and desponded, until, moved by
my anguish and despair, she agreed TO a
secret union. Our espousals made, we
parted, with n premise, on her part, TO
send me word from Coyn, should her
father absent hmself from the fortress.
The very day after our secret nuptuals, |
bebeld the whole train Of the AIcayde de.
part from Cartama, nor would he admit
me to his presence, nor permit me TO bid
farewell 10 Xariss. remained at Carta-
ma somewhat paci6ed in spirit By our Sc
cret bond Of union but everything around
fed my passion, and reminded me Of Xa.
risa. saw the window at which I had
80 often beheld her, | wandered through
the apartment she had Inhabited; the
chamber in which she bad slept. / visit
ed the bower Of jessernines, and fingered
beside the fountain IN which she had de-,
lighted. Everything recalled her to my
iinssiasii0n spd ailedmy heart with mel.
ancholg.