The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-05-30
Mirianl's Love.


INJURED, looking down at his manned arm, with
bitter, defiant glance. ssshe, with her glori-
Gus beauty, her regal pride, SO far, SO far above
me- Oh! my love has SO compassed me about
with its strong arms, has sheltered me under its
shielding roof, that feel like an outcast-home
less, and lost forever
looked up at him, as he spoke, and thought
of the time when he had pledged his troth to
Miriam by that same shining fire light, when
his manly beauty fell about him ike ripe
sunset, and when he grasped, in his vigorous
hands, such noble pictures of the future. Now,
without even that future to call his own-poor
manned and useless, he had come back to the
old ,trysting place. Broken in health, in hope
fortunes, and oh! more to be deplored than all
not even rich in love.
Leonard" I said, rising and leaning my
hand on his chair, Il am going now-going to
Miriam" 9
He started, and flushed anguish came over
his still beautiful brow. He grasped my hand
conclusively.
zone moment,'' he whispered, zone mo-
ment, and I shall be myself again. I cannot
meet her thus!''
He bowed his face, and the Ii ght brown curls
fell in cloud about it, concealing the outward
struggle. Then he raised his head and spoke
calmly
II am ready now, I will release her from
that VOW which cannot be otherwise than irk-
some to her proud spirit. She shall never
know the agony it cost to give her up. I will
meet her brayely-like a man.
So I went out and left him sitting there, his
love lying like shattered vase at his feet.
found Miriam before her mirror, arranging
her hair. She turned her cleaning face to-
wards me as entered, and it was oyerhowing
with love, hope and expectancy.
''Is it all cheerful and bright below stairs?"
she asked quickly.
s'Quite beaming,' replied.
II am so glad" she continued, in joyous
tone "What long journey he will have, this
freezing day! Oh! [ am so thankful that I am
mistress of Ashburn-proud, beautiful Ashburn,
that I can offer him resting place"
Her deep sleeping pride blazed out in her
dark oriental face, and flooded it with glory.
Alas that pride which was to crush such a great
noble love-such wealth of happiness.
II stood beside her, where I could see her
beauty in the mirror, as l have seen the sun
shine lying afar off on the hills Red, scornful
lips, dark, prideful eyes, rich, glowing checks,
and waves of raven hair, braided with gems
'Miriam,' said T. earnestly, Il should like
to tell you little story, while we are alone.
Something that weighs upon my heart, about
friend of mnc'
She turned and looked at me with curious
glance, then she said, cheerfully and quickly:
ooh, | understand, you are going to tell me
something of Lucia-that friend Of whom you
used to speak,
l bowed my head in silent acquiescence.
Then I commenced, in low voice-playing g
with the coral with which she was going to
adorn her loveliness:
"This friend of mine is very beautiful and
very proud. Three years ago she pledged her
troth to a brave, manly lover. He also my
friend. They both joined hands, and stepped
together into life and the world He, with a
glorious future stretching wide before him, a
hopeful heart, and soul full of aspiration
'How like to him" murmured Miriam, pride
flaming out again into her eyes.
He went Abroad - | continued, "misfortune
came upon him, and that ripe, luscious future
turned to ashes in his grasp Still he struggled
on, and when he had conquered destiny, and
right arm, and became crippled, miserable
being"
The hand that braided those shinings tresses
trembled visibly. The face in the mirror as
sumed softened expression, the eyes grew
darkly tender.
'sBroken-heared toilworn, and grown old
with care, he returned to his old home. He
came to me for he dared not meet that cold,
withering glance of pride-that scornful tri-
umph of station and beauty, in the face of her
he had so worshipped, so adored with love
exceeding all things in its width and height
and power
"Was her pride then so mighty?-her wo-
mans nature SO much less?" said Miriam, in a
voice made husky with indignation and tears.
"Could she--dared she fling him from her who
had once dwelt preeminent in her heart? He,
broken hearted and alone in the wide, pltiless
world!''
'She is woman,' replied, cher heart is
true and loving, but her pride has ever been to
her seconds self She fears the world with its
sneers and jibes. I have promised him to 60
to her-to prepare her for this sad event. Mlrl-
am, how shall [ counsel her to act?-how deal
with that supernatural overwhelming prlde?''
Miriam shook back the waving hair from her
brow and turned her regal face on me. 1t was
ny Hlcu up Will HOOle anu "oiioh'y WV /" NV +
dewy tenderness:
"Tell her to go to him and pour out at his
feet all that depth Of devotion which lies so rich
in the heart of woman. To hold out her hands
/ to him, and raise him up to stand beside her on
that high pinnacle of wealth and estate. Tell
her that Of all the great heart of life, love is
the dearest throb within it. 1t is beautiful
creation, and oh! not lightly to be dashed
aside!"
burst into tears, pointed to the door and
cried
t'Miriam! there is despirating and heart
broken man sitting by your fire-side. 1t is
Leonardo
She started and fell backward against chair.
The gush of imperial beauty flowed away from
her face and left 1T colorless. Then with firm
step and graceful majesty, she took my hand
and led me out into the broad hall. Down the
great staircase, and across to the door of the
room where he sat- Her brow was pale and
calm, her hand did not tremble within mine.
Still in the wide seat where had left him,
the fre-hght shining vividly around him, sat
Leonard He rose when he saw us, and took
step forward into the middle of the room. l