True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-06-27
MIRIAM IOv


chair ant( I at his feet.
Chow can hope to win her now" he
murmured, looking down at his MANNED
arm, with bitter, defiant glance. ''She,
with her glorious beauty, her regal pride;
so far above mei OIL my love has so
compasscd me about with its strong arms,
has sheltered me under its shielding roof,
that feel, like an outcast-hemeless and
lost forever"
! looked up to him, as he spoke, and
thought of the time when he had pledged
lis truth to Miriam by that same shining
frc light, when his manly beauty fell on
him like a ripe sunset; when he grasped
III his vigorous hands such noble pictures
of the future to call his own, poor, MANNED
and useless, he had come back to the old
trysting place broken in health, in hope,
in fortune and, Gilmore deplorable than all
not even rich in love.
Leonard, 1 said, rising and leaning my
hand on his chair; | am going now-going
to see Miriam.
He starred, and flushed anguish came
over his still beautiful brow. He grasped
my hand convulsively.
Zone moment, he whispered; one mo-
ment, and l shall be myself again. I can.
not meet her thus"
He bowed his face, aud the light brown
curls fell in cloud about it, concealing
the outward struggle. Then he raised his
head, and spoke calmly
81 am ready now; will release her
from that VOW which cannot be otherwise
than irksome to her proud spirit. She
shall never know the agony it cost me to
give her up. l will meet her bravely-
like man."
So 1 went out and left him sitting there,
his love lying like shattered vase at his
feet.
found Miriam before ber mirror, ar
ranging her hair She turned her gleam-
ing face towards me as l entered, and it
was overAowing with love, hope and expec-
fancy.
"Isit bright and cheerful below stairs?"
she asked quickly.
"Quite beaming," Ireplied.
81 am so glad"
She continued in ajoyous tone, "What
long journey he will have this freezing
day! Oh! am so thankful that | am
mistress of Ashburn--proud, beautiful
Ashburn! that l can offer him a resting
place."
Her deep sleeping pride blazed out in
her dark oriental face, and floods, it with
glory. Alas! tHst .t.as pride which was to crush
enc "su great noble lCvc-such wealth Of
happiness.
| stood beside her where I could see her
beauty iu the mirror, as I have seen the
Sslnshine lyirs afar off on the hill. Red,
scornful lips, dark prideful eyes, glowing
cheeks, and waves of raven hair, braided
with gems.
"Miriam," said I, earnestly, ~ should
like to tell you little story, while we
are all alone. Something that weighs up
on my heart, about--abOut friend of
mine.
She turned and looked at me with q
curious glance; then she said cheerfully
and quickly
"Oh, understand; you are going to
tell me something relative to Lucia-that
old friend Of whom you used to speak" ."
I bowed my head in silent acquiesence
Then l commenced 10 q low voice
playing with the coral with which she
was going to adorn her lovelincss,
"The friend of mine is very beautiful and
very proud Three years ago she piightcd
her troth, to brave, manly lover. They
both Joined hands, and stepped together
into life and the world. He, with glor.
ious future stretched out wide before him,
ahopeful heart and soul full of noble as
pirations.'
"How like to him." murmured Miri
am, pride flashing out again into her eyes
"He went abroad, I continued; misfor
tune came upon him; and that ripe, luscious
future turned to ashes in his grasp, Still
he struggled on; and when he had conquer
ed destiny, and built for himself anothe
and fairer castle, lost his right arm, anc
became crippled miserable thing"
The hand that braided these shinin,
tresses troubled violently. The face il
the mirror assumed softer expression, tn
eyes grew darkly tender.
"Broken-heartcd, toil-worn, and grow
old with care, he returned to his old home
He came to me, for he dared not meet tha
cold, whitening glance of pride-that scorr
full triumph of station and beauty, in tn
face Of her whom he had so worshiped, s