The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-04-16
Touch me not again, or leave you for.

er than harm you, even in thought. And
I do perish hourly with tho fires Of this
chaste yet consuming passion. Oh Dab.
liza, your heart is not bewildored with the
fondness like mine, or you would forsakc all
to 1.-Two and love with me-"
"Unjust and cruel r' she faltcred, with
quivering lips; "would you have me begin
the duties of wife by base ingratitudo
and wicked disobedience to the best of pa
rents 2"
"But suppose they should never con-
sent" was tho incipient remonstrance.
She cut it short with mingled tenderness
and Indignation "Thcy have given their
promise that the union shall take place so
socn as you are admitted to practice at the
bar, and that will be within the year, rs
you have told me SO often"
"Alas! I can make no progress in the
dry study" he replied mournfully; "thc
image Of too beautiful face haunts each
printed page, and can discover but six let
ters-thy dearest name my Dahia."
"Be man George" she answered, with
lofty earnestness; "for there can be no
manhood, no virtue, or real greatness,
without the hard exercise of powerful
will"
Love has no will save that of tho be-
loved one," he sighed, with glance of fiery
passion.
"And love will do and endure all things
for the happiness of the hearts IDOL" she
murmured, in accents of unspeakable ten
| derncss.
Again the enamored youth implored ::
"Let us be welded at once, and then your
kind father will forgive us"
"You know not Major Eidgc," sho cried,
with indiscribable solemnity; /" his life,
from infancy, has been free from single
falschood, and he never pardoncd one false
hood in another. The word, when uttered
by his tongue, is eternal as the iron noun
tains his rrcvocable will would let the
globe break into atoms, rather than rcIcnt
in the performance of its purpose"
"And is there no hope?" lie shuddcrcd
rs if in despair.
"There is every hope in keeping our vol
untary VOWS, but none in their violation"
was the firm response.
As she spoke, a rustling was heard in tho
lcafy underground behind them, and a
strange Indian, emerging from its cover,
presenting the young man a letter instantly
disappeared. George tore off the envelope,
and, glancing at the contents, gave shout
of JOY.
"Iere, Dahlia, is my liconso; the judge
says he is satisfied with my last examina-
tion it must be tho work of your affection
ate father"
She cast herself into his arms, sobbing as
if her heart would break in its wild parox-
ysm of love and pleasure.
| "Let us hasten homo and be welded at
once" the young man suggested fondly.
She drew back, and gazing into his eyes,
as if she would search out the darkest Sc
crcts in the abyss of his soul, gasped,
through her tears:
"And will you never grow weary or
ashamed Of your dusky Indian wife?-
Shall 1 always share your moments of pride
as we'll as your hours of gloom and sor-
row 2"
81 swear it by the God that made us
both," he exclaimed, fcrvently; "and if I
ever love you less, may that God forget me
in my greatest need!"
at is WE'LL" she murmured for could
never bear the semblanoe of slight from
you'll"
AT the instant, small skif was seen ra-
pidly descending the river, carrying three
persons visible in the fading light, and a
clear, ringing voice called out:
"Dahlia, stay, it is II"
"My fatherl |" faltered the young girl ;
"what can have brought you back SO
soon?''
In minute, the father, brother, and a
stranger in the clerical garb, landed and sa.
luted the lovers kindly, but with an aspect
of unaccountable melancholy.
"What has happened, dear father, that
you return so sada" inquired the terrified
maiden kissing the old chiefs hand.
1--WE have country no more" said
the tall, magnificent man, in his cold, me-
tallic voice, aud with features rigid as mar
j BILE.
"Who has dared TO sell it2" she ejacula-
ted fiercely, and her dark eyes flashed light.
ming.
Ill" returned the young hero of hun
dred battles, with proud impassability; 1T
am the glorious traitor!"
"You" she cried, rceling as il treadins
upon an earth quake. s'~
:" Curse me, daughter!" responded the
chieftain, moupfully, "curse me as ton
thousand tongues will curse me tomorrow,