True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-01-25
z. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.
She faded from that time and Willard,

DIG tduCu lIUIl tLdU Ullll6 anu. w Lldlu)
who seemed reused into an appreciation of
the value of the gem that was passing from
his grasp, was as devoted as her warmest
friends could wish. He came daily with
his gift of flowers, fit offering for the pure
hearted. How she worshipped every leaf
and bud what hope and peace to her sad
heart did she imbibe with their fragrance.
We hoped for time that she would re-
vivc, but our hopes were only too hceting.
The bright beams of morning rested on
the face of the fair sleeper, as bcheld
her for the last time. Those lovely eyes
were closed to know no waking; a sweet
smile rested on the mouth, whose lips were
closed forever. | pressed one last, linger-
ing kiss on that fair brow; and with wild
gush of weeping was led to the carriage
that was to bear me away. Mr.. Lee ON
braced me with all the tenderness of a
father, and told me ] must come to them
again to cheer their loneliness; while
Herbert gave me silent pressure of the
hand, his whole face ,quivering with emo
ton. But he made no demonstration of
love. | had passed &om before him, per-
.haps forever; and 10 had made no sign.
Oh h!hoT .desolatc,S how very desolate
seemed my heart RheB Ponce more enter.
ed ouf little room, where were garnered 50
many memoriosM Everything spoke of
her own dear presence-her sweet face ap-
peared gazing from every page turned.
How I longed but fof glimpse but once
again of those cherished features. Mad
amc A, too, wept her loss as if she
had been a daughter; and so much was
Sophie beloved by her teachers, so closely
had she nestled in the hearts of her school
mates, that it was long indeed Before We
could speak of her with calmness or resig
nation.
The trials through which I had passed
had not been without their effect upon my
character; and I was determined to make
myself worthy of the love of those among
whom was placed. In interesting my
self in their pursuits; in sharing thei
joys; and in communing with their sym
pathies [ found balm for my own lacerateC
heart. l have not told you, reader, hoy
deeply Herbert Lees image had beel
cherished in the depths of my inmost soul
how of him, and him only, had I dreamed
until I felt, that in tearing that idol iron
its throne, every bright hope must b
crushed; every longing of my heart re
main unsatisfed; every earthly hope b
sacrificed. Oh ! how lonely and desolat
. seemed the future now. What had
done to merit such fate? Nevertheless
these feelings tried to subdue. Still
u, was conscious of being greatly changed
: I no longer felt the same buoyancy th'
! elated me in other days; but gradually
calm settled on my life, as clouds of fa
+ tranquility are seen resting on the face {
] Nature after days of storms and tears
, Long before the year had expired I wa
|, sought by Willard Raymond. Fain woul
= | have stunned the meeting. | assure
4 him his hopes were all in vain-his l coul
n never be. He seemed much agitated, an
o told how, years before, he had watched nj
v in my rambles for many a day unseen, b.
+ fore he had made himself visible! The
J. how he had fled the spot and avoided MI
q remembering his engagement to Sophi
4 for how could he break pledge made to
~ dying father? At last, meeting enc so III
n expeetedly the night Of the party, his fec
70 ings had unwittingly betrayed him in
7 showing an indifference to Sophie, that, l
! sometimes feared, had fastened the raw
et ges of her disease. "But now that he w
% Free" he said, "would l not give hi
m some hope? Would I not, after years h'
W passed, let him see me again! ?" rose
I" most in anger. These propositions SCENE
" sacrilege to Son eie's memory. "Had "
ID loved her as she deserved" l said, "hi
i, you even been true, as a man of honor,
Is your pledge, you would never have pain
ID her poor heart" "But | repented,"
n, added, "you yourself witnessed the exp
So tion made on her deathrhed." "I did
e. ! replied, more calmly, 'but the blow h
he gone home nevertheless" and then | to
I'd him how, with, martyr-like spirit, she h
in herself offered to sacrifice him. GO"
i'll concluded, "once I might have loved yc
h. but now nevorl'
ot He went, and after his departure | {
still more lenely' Ny depression Of sp