Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-02-05

instead of losing me, you have gained a lahore,
In Philip. Together he and will toll on, cheer
ing each other
Mrs Warner shook her head, sadly.
1t cannot be" she said /; rour duties viii
confne you to narrow field"
But not less noble" interrupted Christine.
True replied Mrs Warner. :" But I had
hoped so much. of you; l hardly knew how
much TIL see you about to enter on the COM
mon lot Of woman. Christine your field is the
world"
Do not fear, my friend" interrupted Chris
tines sweet voice, q that shall forget nv duties
to my fellows In the narrower circle around me-
| viii do what lies nearest me first, and not leave
the rest undone. l viii write; can write-I
am sure of it-words that will reach the hearts
OF men, and find echo there. Do not feel so
disappointed 1 can do much vet"
And when shall l read your essays, nv
dear p
Perhaps never. Essays are too often read
only by those who do not need them Christ
dld not disdain TO convey truth in parallels l
viii write in form that viii bring nv words
to all the good, who seek for the right and true
wherever it may be found, win hear me; and
to the careless, who would never seek for truth,
l will whisper lessons SO gently that they can
not offend, and yet which may bear with them
seeds which may spring up in the heart
But Philip may not wish you to do so.'
You do not understand Philip he would
only urge me to do all that can in this
short life"
"Christine," said Mrs Warner, as her friend
rose to go away, ray have said too much
you have still high aims-you will make noble
wife and mother, and there are few enough of
them in this world. In those duties you will
find enough TO employ all your powers God is
leading you into that path. 1 had hoped that
you were she who like Miriam of old, should be
one of the leaders of the downtrodden into the
land of freedom. But, in His own good time,
He viii raise up prophecies
:. Yes, in His own good time" replied Chris
tine, She bade her friend goodbye, and walk
ed to the lake where she had promised to meet
Philip.
1t was before the time that she had appoint
ed, but it was very pleasant to sit under the tall
trees that waved their leafy branches near that
beautiful sheet of water-to look into its crystal
depths, and see the same beautiful picture re-
fected there, only in softer tnts that lay around
her; the fleecy clouds, the waving trees were
mirrored belowsher, and she could almost inn
agine that she had glimpse into the dwellings
of naiads.
She leaned back at last against tree, and
letting the soft air play her cheek, she sank
into reverie.
Mrs Warmers words had reused her she
would awake from her slumber-she would
work. a quiet smile played round her mouth,
and deeper light filed her eyes, as she marked
out her future course.
Suddenly she heard voices near her. Surely
one was familiar to her but no, a clear girlish
voice replied 1t could not be Philips tones,
though strangely like them it was probably
some couple who had been tempted, by the
beauty of the day, to sail over the still waters
of the lake
The voices came nearer. She was about to
change her position when the words arrested her
attention, and rooted her to the spot
& Philip, dear Philip Tell me- it cannot be
so ~
The voice was sweet, but pitifully earnest and
mournful, and every tone fell on Christines ear
as clearly as if the speaker had been at her
side. Yet she could not see her, separated as
they were by clumps Of trees.
Why have you followed me thus ?" returned
4 voice she well knew, but in a stern and harsh
tone she had never before heard. Why do you
dog me in this manner ?'
"Ob, Philip, Go not speak so coldly, and for
give me; but had just heard words that mad
dened me. I saw you, and l could wait TO
longer. I must hear denial from your lips 1t
cannot be that you are going to be married It
cannot be true"
" Yet it is true" he replied.
Christine could bear suspense no longer; she
leaned forward, and saw through the trees her
lover and a young girl. whom she instantly re-
cognized as Grace Minor. Both were turned
away from her, and she could see distinctly the
slight figure of Grace, who at these words has
sunk on the ground, and was wIinging her hands
-
Then it is true. have been sewing weari-
ly and il sadness on the garments of your
bride. But, as your bride, she shall never
them" she exclaimed, checking her sobs.
viii go to her l viii tell her all"
:" Do you dare to threaten me p he inter-
rupted, stamping his foot and speaking in a
fierce tone :. Dare TO do as you have said, and
1 never see you more"
A fresh burst of sobs was the only reply. At
last she spoke, in voice checked with emo
ton,
Tell me, then, one thing-you 90 not love
her p
Christine held her breath almost suspended
TO hear the reply. She felt almost guilty at
the exultation which she experienced as he
spoke.
- Love her = he exclaimed better than my
own life--better than my own soul She is the
only. woman / ever loved"
The only woman. Oh. Philip, unsay those
cruel words. 1t cannot be--she So
Hush y he interrupted. Do not take the
name of that pure being your lips: she so
far above all the world she, the first of her sex
that I ever respected; she, who endeayored to
lead me into her own heavenly way. Do not