True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-11-19
e. GOo0 !. Story,
: From the Waverly Magazine.
>4e DESTINY. a.s
by CLARENCE MELVIN

by CLARENCE MELVIN. Fo'
Come Charles, why are you SO sad
to night? You have scarcely spoken for
half an hour" and the deep dark eyes Of
the beautiful speaker were raised TO his
face. E .la..,. b..
~ am sad, but will be more mindful Of
your wishes now. Pray, what is your
pleasure p
~" Tell me Of what you were thinking
moment ago, when your face wore such
serious expression |! Indeed, one
would think you are broken hearted, or
that some dear idol had departed, leaving
you to wander 'earlhs weary pathway
alone )" and flood Of gay, liquid laugh
ter foated through thereon. ... o..
u A smile came to the young mans
features, but very faint one as he said /:
II was thinking Of the past-the past,
that dims the present and shadows the
future--the past, that once flown, can
never return > , ... t..,......
Aud what of that! Why should
you mourn for. that which can never come
again? Is there not sunshine around
you! You should never be unhappy
when every thing is So bright and beauti.
full" IL
,y" Perhaps not-and yet there are
memories that would not remain SILENT
that seek an outlet from their deer
abode. = .at3 SFu3 6EI
.ge"And so sad, too - and again lha
merry laugh fell on the air like a silver
chime" "5zg-spaa s.; at .ree ssurE 3
-" Ella, you will never be serous,'
said Charles with forced smile. = You
are like the fairies of which we read
thatIive on joy and sunshine y 95 ~
/" And tits no wonder, for there has
been nothing but sunshine in my path al
yet. And yet am no fairy, | assure you
am substantial, breathing, living per.
son."
'--" Do you believe in destiny r.
"What is that" N M
e'' '' Do you believe that all are governed
by fixed and unalterable laws, and tina
the fate Of any one is decided g. ''
1921" Yes; and believe in fortune telling
too. And what is more, am sybll
myself, and wave the mystic wand o
prophecy" '". '. '''
"Perhaps, then, you would tell me my
fortune" '1. t' ~ 's..a"'-t 'ar ~
Yes; and past, too. Give Inc you
hand" ..... ..s
The young man smiled, and held ou
his hand. She regarded ii for some
time and then asked:
'.a" or what shall tell you, the past o.
the future :"
The past" 'a
u The past is stormy sky; darl
clouds have Swallowed the whole heavens
and the star Of hope beams but family
There is but one narrow path Of sunshine
where eJoys and memories OF a happy
childhood hour clustered together--al
the rest in deep, deep darkness. Ant
stay there is another form that meet
my gaze-a fair young face, half owe
,shadowed by golden curls-a vision o
rose tinted cheeks, and ruby lips, partet
as if to breathe prayer. There arr
shadows around her pathway, too-she
mourns over the wrecks of Hope ant
Happiness. There are not the sybil':
words true 2" and she gazed up archly
into his bewildered face.
!" | must give you. The praise that i
due to you. And now what of the fu
ture p,
The future unrolls its scroll, alterna
ted by sunshine and shadow, Yet, th'
light predominates. Thereis abluc sky
eaboye, and green earth beneath, ant
the star Of Hope has risen again. Hap
piness has again come to the weary
"a hearted, and her smile lends new feat
fure to life. l can tell youho more, fol
Z the spirit of prophecy is past" s.,
NJ" Very well; | think you are quite al
adeptin fortune teling,"a. i IN sq
I" And so am. But now | must bic
you adieu for few moments;" ant
&sthe merry girl sprang lightly out o
the room, leaving her companion to hi
'sthodghts. f56 3ie.1set fss
-st" She knows not, my, past. stlistory,
he said, ,musihgl aid yet how e.iik,
my own restless life were her words.9
-''i He sat long with his cheek resting in
his hand, and his eyes bent on thesfloor
D.. Memory carried him back TO other days
but the past wasas a blank, save where
the dreams ofchildhood MET his gaze
There was vision Of a fair sunny face
and deep blue eyes, that rose up before
fhim, but the reality had long since pas
sed away from his earth path, and h
wandered on alone. with 2 cold, nlisanthrt
pic heart and aimless, spirit sg,s,g ba4
Dir He was wealthy, aud handsome, ant
b many Q, fair daughter and inspiring moth,
III or wondered why. he did NOT marry
Still he kept on "the noiseless lenorof, ,hi'
way" smiling upon one no more thai