True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-09-23
STEUBENVILLE, OHIO WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER %, 1857

for how should l ask him for sympathy
or assistance, when the cause of all my
trouble be did not understand
TO his quick perceptions, however,
that word was enough.
Paulina," said he kindly, in what
ever trouble you may find yourself, re-
member am always your friend" and
hastily away, he left me.
l carried the letter, still unopened, 10
my own room. Sitting down by the win
dow studied ii minutely the post mark,
the address, the very envelope itself, Pc
culiar shade of green, stamped with the
we'll known initials in cypher, were all
familiar to me. l looked last at the seal ;
the wax was precively similar TO that
which both he and were accustomed to
use, and the seal itself was the impress
of one, the exact counterpart of which
now lay in my casket-his gift, three
years ago. Looking upon that seal,
an idea flashed into my mind. Lighting
a lamp, | carefully unsealed the letter,
disturbing the wax as little as possible,
and with a palpittaing heart l drew forth
the two thickly covered sheets.
My emotions as traced the familiar
characters. will not pretend to describe.
What / was most eager to know, was,
how he had discovered my retreat, and
this he speedily informed me. The let.
ter began thus:-
My dear Linda such you are, and
always will be, despite your scorn, and
this most cruel desertion-I cannot tell you
with what rapture my heart throbs as l
once more address you. Returning yester-
day from Glen Park, the dearest spot on
earth to me, because most closely linked
with the memory of my lost angel, my
own dear Paulina, / passed through E..
"Looking casually into he window OF
Mr.. White, the stationer, my eye was in
stantly rivited by drawing which could
have been traced by no hand but yours
Paulena, l know l need not tell you what
was the scene represented, or how it
thrilled my heart to know that, even in
your self-imposed exile, your thoughts do
hover arouud the beloved scenes of our
youth that for hours, nay days-for that
drawing was never accomplished at one
sitting the thought of one so dear to you,
had fingered in your heart, had voluntarily
been cherished there"
"Well," was my first exclamation, ~
must be more careful; Mr.. White must
be cautioned against giving my address
to strangers in this way" and then sat
for a momeut musing.
l did not know the picture we'll, and
bitterly repented the folly which had ever
led me to commit such memory to pa
per. 1t was little thing merely garden
bower, loaded with fragrant honeysucle
and wild roses, a little lady with an arch
looking face, twirling' branch OF roses
playfully over head, and gentleman,
clad in picturesque hunting suit, kneel'
ing at her feet, and looking pleadingly up
into her face. I cannot analyze the feel
ing which had led me to reproduce this
scene. had taken strange pleasure in
doing it, but neverreckoned such con-
sequences to my folly.
finished the perusal of The letter.
It afforded me all the information de-
sired, and had no wish to become more
familiar with its contents. Carefully re-
sealing it, therefore, with the same stamp
which had beed previously used, and ia
king care, by the application of Hit!lt
fresh wax, to cover all traces Of opening
| called from the window to Varick, whC
was at work in field near by.
"Varick," l said," will you come her'
o moment :"
Certainly" was the cheerful reply
and he bounded over fence, and presen
cd himself at the open window.
"What can I do for you, Miss Pau
lima :"
"You haven't told any one about th'
} letter, have you :" knew he was tn
soul of discretion.
, "No."
: "Please don't say anything about il
then but when you go to the vlllag
again wish you to take it to the Office
: and say there is no person Of that nam
: residing here, which is simply The truth.
He looked at me with glance whic
it was difficult to interpret, and as b
t took the letter, bowed silently.
4, "And Varick," continued" believ
& the postmaster is a particular friend {
yours, is he not 7"
"We are now quite intimate"
: $50 1 thought. Do you suppose,
:, any one should make any inquiries at I'll
i. office about that letter that you could fin
it out and tell met"
Q "Certainly. I'lljust ask Joel in car
d less way, to watch and see what become
of the letter, as don't know Of any sue
n individual; and if there has new fami
II moved into the neighbourhood, we shou
y like to find out something about them
P "Thank you; that is all, except th
:. / cannot tell you how great service "
P are doing me. It is very pleasant to
II able to rely upon your discretion"
VI Varick was one whose feelings seldo
y found voice in words, but his eyes we
d doubly eloquent Of them. Since the d
J, Ihad entered the house, he had be,
quick to notice all my wants, and prom
| Al : n - \ .