True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-08-27
OHIO, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST q, 1856

bIUne Was TOlcu AWAY ITOIn LIle uUOr vi
her heart, and its living waters gusbed out
once more. But he who would4lave peril
led life and limb for one unsolicited caress
now lay pale and still, while she pressed
him to her heart, and the love that he had
sought in vain during life, seemed given
only too late-only 10 waste itself upon
paid corpse-a guided coffin and a
lonely grave.
She watched beside him, day and night,
in the chamber where he had spent so
many lonely hours. Into this room she
had scarcely entered since he had install
ed her mistress of his household, and
everywhere she saw such traces of his
love for her, as pierced her very heart
In a small alcove beyond his bed, hung
her portrait, the first and last thing he
saw as lie opened and closed his eyes.
A small inaid cabinet held the gifts she
bad bestowed upon him from time to
time a favorie book-a picture-a tress
of dark brown hair witllered boquets-
small golden star, and many things
which she had given tremendously and
lightly, which he had treasured as his
choicest possessions.
The glitter of golden chain upon his
neck attracted her attention, as she bent
above him one night. Softly she drew it
forth, and gazed upon splendid picture
of herself, set in small gold frame She
gazed in silence for moment, but when
upon the other side she noticed ring
the wedding ring that she had never worn
her composure gave way. Pride had
left her heart, and love usurped its place
Sinking upon her knees by lhe bedside,
while her tears fell fast upon the dear
hand that lay feebly on the counlerpsne,
she prayed as she had never prayed be-
fore. tina. God would spare his lille, tha
she might alone for her sin by years o
patient and enduring love.
Her prayer was heard, for God is mer
ciful even when we sin most deeply. Al
night she watched beside him. With tn
early dawn the physician (now domesti
Gated in the house., entered the room
He held the slrunken hand in his for 1
moment, gave searching glance into thu
marble like face, and turning 10 her sait
briefly .
"Your care has saved him, he will
live !" .... ...
Late in the afternoon of that day Alic
sat beside his led, waiting for the loni
deep slumber 10 be broken, that she Nigh
see those blue eyes look up at her ono
again. She was dressed as for "a bridal
in robe Of pearly satin, with no orna
ments save single white rose in he
dark hair, and another on her breast
The color deepened in her cheeks as tn
eventlul hour drew near her fine eJ
glowed and sparkled with the love ST
i, long imprisoned, and 50 suddenly set free
The golden hands of her watch ponte
10 the hour of seven, when the sleepe
moved slightly, drew a long sigh, ant
opened his eyes. She bent above hin
with a beating heart his gaze wandere
uneasily about the room, fixed upon be
-kindled. and he tried to smile. Yer
gently she passed her arms beneath hi
aching head, and drew it towards her til
it rested upon her breast ) very genll
her warm lips fell upon his brow ; yer
gently the tears which she could not quit
repress, fell upon his wasted cheek.
) IIc looked up in a strange, joyful sur
prise, and asked falltly - iu-ss .
(" Alice, what does this mean p
ct means that You must live to fol
4 give me - she sobbed. That Low
you with my whole heart, and none b,
you! Do not send me away, my hu'
4 bandpI a- qaas 3.t s.y, a
All, his tears were falling now! To
weak to feel astonishment, he could onl
thank God silently. He drew her (ecbl
to his breast, and whispered. .al
4" My wife! God bless you. Life
worth the living.now -, -f-1
Fheir lips met in long long kiss
reconciliation and forgiveness. Allwi
silent in the chamber; for happiness liE
theirs there is no language.
q aH'a q.