The weekly Sierra citizen., 1857-08-15

the agony Of the bitter reality know not what to
hope nor what to fearI only know that every pang
hced upon that young heart binds her more closely to
my and here BY her-and ia presence Of those an
gel eyes that were the light Of my youth and that feel
are now watching over sI dedicatemy life my ener-
gy and my fortune alleviate the anguish Of her lot
But almost forget he continued, that she yet tre-
bles upon the thresh6d 6f the aintest
breath may snap the feeble fibre that connects her with
life would to God she could sleef' BE applied Ii.
qud to her lips and sat anxously watching its effects
at length the lids dropped more heavily oyet het eyes
the low breathing gradually increased, tnt tie deep
drawn respiration betokened profound sleeb "Ohl
God, thank Thee!" broke from Ashleys lips as with
the deepest emotion he buried his face in hshands and
wept.
For many days Nina lowered between life and DEATH
when by slow and almost impercepHbl6 degrees,
mental and physical strength began return AT times
her memory seemed to wander back and rest upon
painful bbect and for moment she would look up in
quiringy into the faces of Ashley and Aunt Amy as if
there were something she would fan learn but there
was so much OF diness and ndstnctness in the picture
thus raised before her feeble faculties that it evidently
vanished before she could seize upon it, and with visit
ful sigh she would agah sink to rest.
Weeks passed by, and still Nita though convalescing
was an invalid and Ashley observed that her mind, as
it gradually gained strength, was at times in state cf
painful abstraction 1t was futile to appear un
conscious of the cause, and summonng all his resolution
combined with tact and decacy he day seated him
self at her side and endeavored to lead the conversation
to the painful subject upon which they both much
feared to speak. At the first word with casped hands
and an imploring look Nina eagerly exclaimed: Oh |!
my dear, kind friend. tell me all? endure this
yet returned 2" Compose yourself, my child, and
will tell you.but Oh! my Nina do not forget in your
despair how dear you are to dcsolae heart -and
his eyes filled with tears and his lips quivered he
spoke. Nina, he continued, ''do you remember augh
that transpired before your illness?" Yes, she
piled; at first all was mingled in chaotic mass and
it seemed as if some horrid dream haunting my
brain, which M6ud not be dispelled but gradually the
cOnn Cfpho md ,Ioro -
my own prophetic sadness-his departure-thc letter
that told my doom-the ball-and my own fearful re-
solve" Nina" said Ashley. the day after those
events and while nv own heart was wrhnp with prief
to you cold and pale before me- enclosed that letter
in to Clarence, telling him of your death and of its
cause,-(fOr, during three days believed you dead
my Nina expressihg my indignant horror at the base
anselsh cruelty evihced in sacrificing the happiness of
your life from pique at the caprces Of another
and saying that wished behold His face again
You must feel, my child, how unworthy he is of the
treasure you have bestowed upon him. But will say
no more-you shall decide" !" Has he returned to the
city," asked Nina, tremblingly "Yes, darling, two
weeks ago." Sand, believing dead, has cared
to look upon my grave" Ashley shook his head
" Then." said Nina, never let him be undeceved
Henceforth am dead to him-dead to the world-dead
to all you, my kind and only friend and leaning
her head upon Ashleys shoulder she wept as though
her heart were breaking
For weeks after that conversation she never alluded
To Clarence seeming avoid every subject that had any
reference to himj and, although her health slowly i'm
pr6veH get she had fallen into state of settled melan
choly from which nothing would arouse iler AT times
she would find the Doctor or Aunt Amy gazing upon her
with such mournu tenderness that she would start from
her reverie and try to se if to beguile them into
the thought that she was not very wretched but the
effort was and plaintive-so unlike the Joyous
smile Of cid that illuminated her whole ace-that it was
saddenng to behold than her usual detection and
they would ever turn away with fearful eyes.
Ashley was called away to the city one day upon
some urgent business, and going to his Office found
that Clarence had several times called to him. He
was walking along Broadway shortly afterwards and at
some distance before him he Clarence conversing
with gentleman, and as he Yves deeply engaged Ashley
had an opportunity of observing him attentivey He
was much amazed at the change that HID taken place
him. scarcely less feeble and deathlike was Nina her.
self thanarence and he experienced something very
like thrill joy he that sorrow and rcnorse had
left their impress upon him. He is not void of all
feeling YETI thought Ashley and they may still be
happy" and he instantly resolved that he would see
him and tell him ALL He fastened his step, and at that
moment Clarence glanced around, abruptly bowed to his
companion and passed into gallery of paintings before
which they had been standing. Ashley concluded that
Clarence had not seen him, and almost mechanically he
followed him into the gallery What was his astonish
nent to see Clarence beside tall, elegantly dressed
lady, apparently viewing large painting but in reality
in such earnest conversation that neither heard the step
Of Ashley who vas directly behind them As he paused,
he saw Clarence clasp the ladys hand and heard him
fhhtmur while the deep tones trembled as he uttered
them, Yes, Edith, forever!" !" Burning with indgna-
on Ashley left the building he had entered with such
sweet hope dawning in his heart and having concluded
his business Immediately returned home
He Thought it best to tell Nina at once and remove
all hope and then to trust TO the pride and energy of
her nature to effect partial cure.
He found her slightly animated upon his return, and
the inquiry that trembled upon her lips although
she would not utter it. He took her hand and gently
leading her to seat related the in the painting
gu!lcfS conceahg, however, that he sought Clarence
and the motives that prompted him tb do so.
Nina had never for moment entertained any resent
ment towards Clarence until now faint hope and an
intense yearnng had silently burned in her heart to
him once more, if only to bid him farewell forever
Now Pride. Indignation, resentment and love, waged
fierce in her BOSOM. She felt that lie had Outraged
every sentiment of humanity. He believes her to be
dead, yet in few weeks, without even having sought
the spot where he supposes she is laid lie is found
ing the syren melody of his voicethat voice whose
false words have blighted her young heartnto the will
ling ear of another and that other the one he believes
to be the of her DEATH. One moment she felt
sensation Of selcontempt that she could have Worship
ped with such blind idoatry utterly destitute Of
truth and honor and the next her whole soul was food
ed with tenderness and love- as her eye fell upon small
though quaint and antique fing With the word memo
ria engraved upon it, which Clarence had purchased
IN Italy and placed upon her fnger But pride checked
the tears that gushed to her eyes, and them back to
turn to ice within the heart whose warm affections had
been 50 crushed and tfampled uponthe heart that
henceforth bear its agony in silence and alone until all
feeling dies within it. The last hope had been severed
and NOW truth to herself demarded she should forget
MIN. " feA Clarence, she murmurcd, 1--WE must now
indeed be dead to each other and although must pre-
vent the crime Of still rnholy union than that
on which yon wrecked my Heart yet will eudeavor to
roll the lethe Ut forgetulness over your memory and
never till death shall reveal to us the awful mysteries df
me fQture, shall DUR reunion be consumated. Beau
ful vlson sweet dream of love- Of light of hope fare
vel! foreverl and now, she said, placing her hand in
Asieys, who sat beside her noting with melancholy in
terest the varying emotions that fitted acfos her ace
" my own kind friend, will yield no longer to this
we.kness VIII ne true to myself will arousc the dign