True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-04-05

Smiling at my eagerness, she quietly
poihted.to the stage, on which the star Of
the evening had just appeared; andin The
fascinating music which followed her de-
but, was content to restrain my impa-
tience, and wait until our return home be-
fore learning the history Of the fair stran-
ger.
No sooner was I seated in the luxurious
drawing room of Mrs. Clifton, than / en-
treated her to tell me all about the belle
and beauty.
gIt is soon told, Z was her reply. "She
was the only daughter Of Judge Leslie,
one Of the wealthiest and most aristocratic
men in the city, She eloped at sixteen
with young lawyer whom her father en-
ployed in his Office; and the old Judge
indignant at her disobedience, at first re-
fused to see her, but afterwards becoming
reconciled, took her husband into his office;
Eand she was now the leader of fashion, as
she had ever been the queen of beauty"
| was obliged to content myself with
this hasty sketch but it was not long
after that, | heard from May Walton's own
lips the story of her love.
Her mother had died when she was
mere infant, and as the pet and idol of the
indulgent father, she had grown up com
1 pletely uncontrolled; but her natural
sweetness of temper prevented her from
becoming self-willed and naughty. Charles
Walton was the orphan son Of dear friend
Of Judge Leslie, and from his early youth
had resided in his family. He had been
the constant companion Of May, and what
wonder was it that she learned to love him
with all the wild, deep feryor of her 70,
mantle nature? Their love was mutual,
and on her sixteenth birthday, they were
betrothed. 1t required much persuasion
on his part, to induce May to conceal
their engagement from her father, for as
yet she had kept no secret from bis ears;
! but at last she yielded.
!, Charles knew well that the wealthy
Judge would never give his cherished pet,
: his Morning Star as he fondly called her,
to one who could not offer her home
equal to his own, with all the luxuries Of
!. life; and it was for this reason that he
wished to conceal their engagement until
some favorable opportunity might occurin in
which to press his suit.
}, But one bright summers evening, when
, the lovers had stolen away to theta favor
lite haunt, a jessamine bower, beside a
fountain which cast its silvery spray in a
quiet nook amid the spacious, gardens
which surrounded the splendid mansion,
the father surprised them as they sat in
the soft and dreamy twilight; his arm
thrown around her slight form, and his
head bent low over her bright curls, while
! he whispered words Of love.
f
Il The old Judge paused in anger and
amazement, as he heard his gentle May
inquire in low soft tones, "How much
! longer must we conceal our engagement
D from my dear father 7"
: But a few months, dearest" was thu
: reply Of the young lover, and his lips lin
4 gered tenderly on that fair young brow.
e We will not dwell on the scene that en-
l sued, the anger of the stern Judge, tht
Q pride of Mr.. Walton, and the mute despair
Of May as she stroye to pacify her father
q The young man was banished at once from
! his presence, and May forbidden to bestov
/ a thought upon one SO utterly unworthyo
I her; as if she could Danish from her hear
t the memory Of one whose ever glance ant
: tone we're SO deeply craven there. Sh
. sought her chamber and throwing hersel
r upon the downy couch, gave vent to he
. emotions. 1t was her first grief, and it
a wild waves swept over her young spiri
9 and crushed itbeneath their weight Th
a twilight deepened into darkness, and tn
IS stars came out and looked with pityin
4 Eeyes upon the sobbing maiden the moo
y stole forth, and her pale slept lik
y threads Of silvcron those glossy curls, bu
e still she lay there with her flushed chee
h pressed close against the snowy pillow
If and needless of alllbut the one thought
f that she must see him no more Sh
slept at last, but the wet lashes that reste
a on her crimson cheek, and the sobs thi
d shook her slight frame betrayed her trol
ID bled thoughts,
She met her father the next mornir
II with degree u c0Aposufs, though 4
glad sunshine came like mockciy upt
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