True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-10-10
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me for him. Now, Fanny, there is notso'
much mystery about me as, l know, you
fancied, but I have my own griefs heavy
and dark" f''.
Then Alice wept, and | mingled my
tears with hears. ~
& X r..
Alice Warrcn's last evening with us
and bright golden one it was If it had
not been for those Auttering crimson leaves,
which ever and anon fell in the path, and
the sighing winds which swept around the
house, we could have dreamed it summer.
"Stay, Fanny, with me. No, no, you
must not 60 ;'jand as Alice tightly grasp
ed my hand, the door opened, and Gerald
Ford entered. s+' i =
The young mans fine face was flushed
and troubled, and when he looked upon
Alice Warren, so pale, so fragile, leaning
back upon Uhe pilbws in her chair, he
seemed deeply affected,
"Ob, Alice but the voice was husky
and the words died away and Gerald Ford
Auug himself upon his knees before her
'"'My poor Gerald" said Alice, laying
Eher little thin hand carelessly upon his
bright hair, do you know why L have sent
for you this evening? | am going away,
and we shall never meet again but, be
fore we part, have many things to say to
you" "a #
She was going on, but Gerald Ford, lift
ing up his head, poured forth words of
the mos exquisite tenderness and affection;
end as he knelt there in the yellow sun
light, his face glowed with touching,
mournful beauty. Young as | was, | felt
and acknowledged Gerald Ford's fascina-
ton, aud | marvelled at MisSAlice's calm
ness,
Dear Gerald, I have tenderly loved you.
| do yet love you | can safely confess it
now; but it was not to speak of this that
1 have seen you this evening. When !
4 F d. .
lie down in my grave
"Don't tell me this, Alice passionate
Ily interrupted young Ford. you shall
not die, you shall not.' w
"Peace, peace" said she, Gerald, |
must soon die, but death has no terrors for
me-; and then she went on to speak sol
emnly and beautifully Of Heaven.
n | well remember with what fearful ear
nestness she pleaded with the kneeler by
her side to fling aside his wicked unbeliet,
and seek for mercy. But these words fell
upon Gerald Ford's ears as an idle tale
and he answered them with careless indiff
I. erence.
"Oh, Gerald, how can you speak so scoff
ingly2 You grieve me deeply and SHE
sighed gs
"Sweet fanatic, forgive me; but we vii
mo lonner talk of this. Listen to me : anC
Gerald spoke of love.
| Very touching was his appeal, but sh'
{ heard him calmly, He told her how com
pletely his hopes were centered on her
! how she was, as it were, hisown sweet life
and he implorei her wildly not to fling hin
, from her. .gs. ~ 4 yA
"You love me, flknow; marry me thet
and give me the right to be always witt
f you, 0 watch over and guard you,y Oh
, Alice, | would lay down my life for you
, "Gerald, i hoped this was all foreye
; past; but Itell you now, and for the las
; time, that can never marry you. ] ac
D knowledge my weakness. | love you evel
E yet, but | may not trample upon duty
$ | cannot / dare not give my hand to
scofer, an, unbeieyer, and very soon
t Shall lie down and sleep in death. S
.y 2 ..ala q
3 farewell, Gerald, erring, yet beloved. Ger
aid, farewell forever"
e But weeping, and uttering words Of will
$ tenderness, Gerald Ford yet knelt by Mis-
|. Warrcn's side.
!. *"Nly poor Gerald Oh, Father in Heav
en-, have mercy on him p :.
tAlice, don'tmock me with your prayers
Y | seorn your fanaticism; tits it which
: tearing you from ME, and making us bot
s miserable; ]; and Gerald Ford went on talk
J, ing with fierce vehomencc; and, frightcr
cd and trembling, got up from my seal
| and slipped from the room,
Q Gerald Ford left in little while aftcl
: When he came down stairs, his face wa
r swollen with weeping, and snatching y
IS his hat, he pulled it over his eyes,, an
% went out quickly; but ! saw that in h
r, hand he held her little Bible. That nigl