True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-04-08
CHAPTER III.

Very often Iwens down TO the old red
house, and sat in the chair which had
been Willis when child ; but in spite
Of all, | could only think Of him with the
most intense sorrow Why was it! l
could not lell. ..., .rt'
Weeks rolled into months, and ten
months had passed since hearing from
Willis. had written him the day after
the receipt of his last letter. and expected
an immediate response.
A year, and still no tidings. Fifteen
months, and taking up newspaper,
which had just arrived from the city,
read, with feelings which those who have
given their whole souls and been betray-
ed, can imagine, the following announce
ment - ,...,...., ,.... ..l...,..
+" Married. at Florence. Italy, March
ooh, BY Leon Gavzzie, Willis Graves,
formerly Of Rock Spring, R county
N, Y. and Mile. Corinne, only daughter
Of Francois Outlet, Of Fontainbleau,
France" ..,.... ...,....
sank down in chair, not weak and
sobbing, but transformed, as it were into
stone F.! Hours passed | was insensible
to all passing objects. They called me
to dinner, but | waved them away with
impatience. Oh, that bitter. dread ava
kening Let me not dwell upon it.
This, then, was the reasod Of his long
silence. his non attention to my last, long
conliding letter written fifteen months be-
fore ! He had married, too, on the ami
versary of the very day he had last held
me to his heart and called me his forever!
past three years before, ...... ,.5
Another year fed, and news of The
glorious success Of Willis Graves reach
cd US, Admired, Aatlered, feled, he was
fast making his way to the highest pin.
nacle Of fame. Still later news-he was
coming home,
My heart almost ceased pulsating, when
| lead the intelligence in one of the city
papers, and the accompanying remarks on
the fame he had won. A long, long time
| sat communing with my heart. From
the struggle ! arose comparatively calm.
My strong will alone, kept me from SIN
king beneath their great affliclion.- My
relatives knew but little of my sufferlngs
pride keptme silent, and when ques'
toned by any one concerning Willis
Graves, maintained a cold, scornrul 81.
lence. a Hours and hours, when all were
wrapped in sleep, have / lain upon the
damp turf beneath the apple trees, and
felt neither cold nor chilliness. a
eiAnd he was coming--to the red house
beyond the orchard Would his wife 81
with him inthe old place beneath the swee
apple tree She lay in my place upor
his bosom--why notl aetp,a si
He arrived in New York. | read tht
notice with scarcely an emotion. Ant
soon my uncle received letter, very
brief, from Willis, saying we might lool
for him daily at Rock Spring.
twas cold, chilly night in October
and went late in the cleaning, 10 taxi
a sort Of farewell Of the old red house
for when lie came the key must b
given into his keeping. stole noiseles
sly along TO the seat his hand had fash
Toned beneath The apple tree, in thos
golden days gone bye. Il was occupied
TO late to retreat | observed this, an
mvoluntariIy ! paused. The stranger 50
with his head buried in his hands; ant
his whole body quivered as with a strong
emotion, The slight noise had mad
IN approaching, disturbed him. and h
turned toward me. Merciful heaven!
4 faint scream trembles on my lips. but
controlled, myself. and returned hi
horrilied gaze, proudly, de6antly! Th
stranger was Willis Graves! as,a ,s4g
"Great God!' he exclaimed, passip
bis hand over his forhead, as il 10 re-ca
a scattered memory, :" has the gray
given up its dead g.
lhlA Almost unconsciously, as If lmpelle
by an irresistible fascination, ! approach
ed him and laid my hand upon b