Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-06-09


tune came upon him; aud that ripe, lus
cious future turned 10 ashes in his grasp
Still, lie etruggled on and when he ha.
conquered destiny, and built for hlmsel
another and fairer castle, lost his Iigh
arm, and became. crippled, miserable
| thing"
] The hand that braided these shining
tresses trembIed violently. The face ii
THE mirror assumed softer expression
1.-THE eyes grew darkly tender.
! "Broken-hearteJ, toil-wotn, and grown
old with care, he returned TO his old home.
He came to me, for he dared mt meet
that cold whitening glance Of pride--that
scornful triumph of station and beauty, in
the face of Fer he had so worshipred, so
adorned, witt. love exceeding ell things
in It's width, and height and power
WAS her pride, then, so mighty her
wornan's nature SO much less :" said Fii-
ram, in voice made husky with indig-
nation and fears. "Could siie--dared she
ding him from her, who bad once. dwelt
pre-eminent in her heart' He, broken
hearted and alone in the vide pitiiess
world p
'She is woman replied, cher
heart is true and loving, but her pride has
even been TO her a second self. She fears
the world with l;s..sneers and ite>. have
promised him to 60 20 heFv-io prepare
for THIS sad event. Miriam how shall /
counsel her to act !-how deal with that
supernal overwhelming pride p
Miriam shook back the waving hair
from her brow, aud turned her regal faee
upon me. It wa. lighted UP with noble
aud womanly love, deep dswy tendsf-
hess.
"Teli her to 60 to him AID pour out III
his feet all that depth Of devotion, which
lies Sc rich in the heart of woman. 10
hold out her hands to him, and raise bin
up to stand beside Der, on lint high PIN
pacle of wealth and estate. Tell her that
of all the great hear, of life, fore is the
dearest throb within it. 1t is a beautiful
creation, and OH not lightly to be dashed
aside"
burst into tears; | pointed TO the door,
aud cried:
Miriam thele is a despaitins and
heart, broken mali sitting by your hreside.
II is Leonard
She started and fell backward against
chair. The gush of imperial beauty flow
ed away from her lace and left i. eoIorless.
Then, with firm step and graceful majes-
ts, she took my baud and led me out into
the broad hail. Down the great staircase.
and across to the door of the roon where
he sat. Her brow was pale and calm, her
! IL
Still ia the wide seat where had left
him, the fire light shining wildly around
him, sat Leonard. lie arose when ne
saw Is, and took step forward into The
middle of the room. | could have fallen
down and worshipped him as he stood
there with noble. syet attenuated form,
ana his great adoring soul s,aadiag 90
lie threshold Of his eyes. He looked
Ill and soirowful, but aeunscious dignity
of manhood hung about him like cloak.
Miriam leaned heavily upon me and
now she treu,bied like an ASPEN. He took
another step forward, and spoke TO her
miriam, have come To release you from
tue ties that bud you 10 this wretched
ard manned being--the shadow of mysei.
am here to give you up forever"
His voice died away in an agony of an
guish. He essayed TO regain his courage
Gus aud manly bearing, his love omairo-
tent, supreme, loosened all the fountains
Of his heart, aud he most bitterly 8ept.
With one bound she reached his side
with one wide embrace OF her arms, she
made circle Of love about him; with one
burst Of tears she ralned heaven OF light!
and hope and devotion into his crushed
soul. Through the veil of her jeweled
hair, saw her face lifted up in divine
gratitude, the lips moved as fin prayer
the broad white brow wore halo about
it like golden hand.
departed silently, and throughout that
happy day repeated truly aud earnestly,
'Ol all the great heart of Life, Love is the
dearest throb within it."