The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-02-29

of violent haste and motion on me as l ha
done in the other disappointments of my lie
only strayed the length of Grcta's arboi
and sat down there under the leaves to loo
out upon the pure daylight and the calm al
around. The light lay clear and full upo'
the vineyards of the steinberg, the MAN
went by with hush Of murmuring SOUND
leaned my head upon my hands shuttinl
out nothing from the eyes which did no
burn or glow as of old, but only moistenst
with unshed tears. My heart expanded an'
stretched out its arms-tenderness, sad ant
incxpressible, softencd all thoughts.
yearned over all whom + could call my owr
-yearned for the home which lay 10 ial
iway, yet left a. impulse to fight touar'
its sefngc. Charchyards and graves ant
quiet death came like a veiled procession
through my hcart-and 1 could say nothing
Of my mood that | was sad, very sad.
Iacquicsced in my fatc-l acquiescod ii
Greta's-l did not feel with jealous bitter
ness that nothing inferior to mysclfhad beer
preferred to me. The veil Of bright delusiou
had fallen from my eyes, and felt that
Grcta's heart had not chosen wrong-that
nature, fitness, gracious fortune, pointed to
him not to me. Greta, sweet hearth tho
the little golden ring of betrothal bound her
to him now-though she was marked and
separated from oil her girl attendants, with
the shadow of wifehood like veil over her
brow-yet neither frenzy nor thinking sense
of desecration came over me. For Greta
knew no guilc-had done no wrong-and
could pray out of my solitude for JOY and
benison upon her life wherever its course
might be.
This passed, and so did Greta's marriage
shortly after. 1t satisfied and cased me that
the interval should be brief, for Greta's own
wistful solitude about me was the least CAST
ly borne of all. saw she could not Danish
the thought fmy sadness from her gentle
mind, but saw she was most eager to oblit-
crate the slightest suspicion of 1t from the
minds of others for Greta saw no honor in
my humiliation, and could not bear to drag
me captive at her chariot wheels. She
must have felt me in her own pure heart
something like brother; for l saw that
quite intolerable to her was the slightest al
lusion to suffering on my part. She could
not bear the Poor Monsieur William -
which kind Madame Klcine bestowed upon
me under her breath. / even saw Gretas
little foot stamp, in unconscious impatient
irrevercncc, as she held up her finger to stay
her mothers voice. My disappointment
was sacred to hcrself--a thing to bo mourn
ed over, and wcpt gentle tears for in her sol
'i,uda; bat Thing that 'wouid bear the in
different glance of no other cyc.
bought her little present the day be-
fore her wedding. l myself, with my per-
sonal simplicity of taste, was almost rich in
this simple, inexpensive German town. My
present was little slender ring, with star
of pearls; us much humber than the jewels
her bridegroom dedicated to her, as l was
inferior to himself in all the charms and
flush Of youthful life. scarcely expected
to sec her when went to leave my offering !;
but Grctas sweet heart, simple and pure,
knew there could be no harm in our fare
WE'LL When she heard had come, she left
her mothcr-and in the silent sale, then
lying in the deep cold shadow ola late au-
tumn day, she came to me with her shy step,
hevhead half downcast, her consciousness
subdued, and almost sad.
Il will wear ii next to the ring my moth
er gives me; her mother gave it to her, said
my sweet Greta; but l need no pearls to
make Inc think of you. Friend, you are not
angry? You will remember Greta some
times with kindness and peace?'
lam not angry Itook the litf hand
which waved with faint trembling, into
mine. Il never have been angry, Greta.-
No; am only sad, and lonely, and very
desolate; but you have not wounded me.
sweet heart; l am only as l was before /
knew you, Greta-alonc.'
.Ah, no. said Grcta quickly not alone,
friend. They all love you yondcr in your
home-you have told me so.'
And as she lifted her dropping head with
eagerness to comfort me, the tear that had
been quivcring on Greta's cyelash fell upon
her hand. put my lips to il hastily, and
then said, FAREWELL and went away.