The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-01-10

yow my love, Tor | was sure | could not
outlive the refusal of her heart,
One summer day we went oat together
into the fields aud sat down beneath the
shadows of an elm to rest, when from talk
ing of flowers we whispered Of love. !
cannot tell you how, bat with the swee,
sky overhead. and the murmur of the bees
! amid the clover, and the songs Of birds,
won her heart and bound it to mine by
q VOW from her sweet lips.
We were engaged.
All ! thatis her portrait before you, with
the blue eyes and auburn hair-as che was
then. had it taken shortly after we be-
came engaged, and wore it next to my
heart--yes, |, oldwrinkled betchelor tha,
am and you need not start, for. like
you, was fair once. The weeks swep,
happily away. until one day, sitting at din
ner atmy uncle's, my cousin Henry said:
"Charles Leaton is at home again.
"Who is Charles Leaton :" | inquired.
"Judge RS favorite," he replied; ga
young man he has helped from boy hood
and is helping to position and weal.h.-
He is favorite with Susan, too, and you
had better have care, cousin. mine. or
you will rue the day he set foot in Judge
RS mansion"
Naturally sensitive and Jealous, intense
love for Susan made these words burn hot.
ly upon my heart.
went 10 my room beside myself with
agitation, and when il was evening went
over 10 Judge RS. As matter Of course,
sew every thing through jealous eyes,
Vny-- -eS c.,
san introduced him 10 me, saw CLEAN
of triumph on her lace. She knew that |
was in torment, was placid smiling. Was
she a coquet,e, or was she false to me p
| harbored such thoughts with horror, YET
harbored them. All that night was in
agony. The next morning started to 60
and ses her, but my pride arose, and re.
turned to my chamber. Some time in the
course of the evening my love prevailed
aud walked over to Judge RS. Blu;
what sight did ! behold as approached
II was clear moonlight evening, and
saw Susan beneath the verandah, leaning
upon Leaton's arm. Yes his arm was
around her waist,--she that was to be my
wife My heart trembled TO the verge Of
bursting--it seemed as if should drop
down helpless in my path. Then there
came revolution OF feeling; my pride
and passions awoke-l would fy-fy TO
the ends OF the earlh--and from her! |
told her SO in a note the next morning
told her had seen her in the arms of an
other, released hef-irem- -her xow,z and
that when she received those lines should
60 far, far from my native land, and Try to
forget the past.
"Rash!''
Upbraid me not-my heart has done
that enough; hear me not.
fed tc Europe | did not even leave e
angle direction for receiving letters from
home. wentto Italy, wandered restless
bene ath its beautiful skies, and visited clas,
sical Greece with worn heart, and in
Spain endeamred to forget the past but
could not. Memory was too faithful, and
sometimes conscience whispered | had
been too precipitate.
Two years had passed away when
landed again upon my native shore. The
impulse to visit the town where Susan
lived was irresistible. did so, and arri.
we'd on beautiful afternoon in autumn.
There was golden quiet everywhere, on
the woods and skies and fields. | stop
ped at the village inn before proceeding
to my uncle's. The landlord stood with
me upon the steps, heard the village bell
strike solemnly and slowly.
"There is funeral" said.
Eyes, Susan r. is buried to-day"
heard the name, and fell senseless to
the ground.
l remember nothing more forweeks.-
was taken i'll and delirious to my uncle's
and lay for weeks between earth and eter.
nifty. Judge r. and son came kindly to
inquire after me; they understood all
and pi.ied me while they censured. When
/ was we'll enough, the following lines
from Susan were put into my hand:
..Dear E., you will find heart better
nobler, perhaps, and head wiser; but
never one more faithful than this poor heart
You may never see these lines, but if you
do you will know how true was to you
how loved you to the last want you
10 know ,his-and yet you must not feel
sorrowful, for do not blame you for what
you have done. have been happy in
wandering alone where we used to wan.
der. Don't you remember the elm un.
derneath which you first called me yours!
But can't write any more. If you ever
see this, know that was ever. ever yours.
Farewell, SUSAN r.
"DEAR E.-l shall never see you again
in this world, for they say that | must
die. have the consumption. 1t matters
not. for were. to live, you would never
come back TO me again. Charles Leaton
is my cousin, was poor orphan, and al.
ways lived with US from boyhood. loved
him as q brother, and nothing more
That night when you saw us he was telling
mo of his engagement to lady whom
he has married since, and my brother
stood behind, US laughing and saying |
ought to tell Charles my secret, too
She died of broken heari-I knew il
from what her father said. She pined a.
way slowly. for she hoped always that
might come back month after month, her
hope grew fainter and tho silver cord
snapped asunder at last, and her heart.
bruised and bleeding, flew to rest upon
the bosom Of Him who was sorrowful