The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-08-27

. "Oh you think yourself q paragon Of beauty,
lean see. You wish to retain your long ring
les, that you may mesh them about the bar
onet's heart. Yes, you think your bright eyes
will enslave him. Yes, you poor beggar, and
so disgrace him. He knows how well you love
him-laughs at it-despised you for it; he
told me so.', AZ
A blank came over my life--oh, the weary
time that passed! would not look al nor
speak TO the baronet till our little Gertrude
died. I saw her well at evening, was aroused
at midnight by the paronet himself. A DEATH
ly chill crept over me as cried, seeing his
white face, "leave me sir, how dare YOU
He had not heard me, humbly hoped, for
his words dispelled my terror. "My little
Gertrude is dying, and calls for you"
Till she died, that dear heart rested on nv
bosom; in the morning laid back the damp
curls, and kissed her cold lips She was gone.
II must go," whispered over her clay, al
cannot stay here, it is agony.D
Not long after, | gathered my few clothes.
and stole softly from the house that envy and
jealousy had made terrible to me. shall never
forget that night. The hills were white with
moonlight, and I wanted to pluck one violet to
take with me. In that quiet hour knelt ssbb,ng
over the mound, breathing one prayer; gathered
my flowers and turned to go-I knew not
where. A tall form stood beside me; could
not fear him now, nor dislike him, he so pale,
so sorrowful, as he said: "Lilliaa, what does
this mean? Where are you going to, my
child?
His voice .rembled. turned away and
the tears ran down my cheeks.
edo we not treat you well, Lillian?o he
asked, how mournfulIy.
"Yes, OH yes" murmured, "you have
only been too kind"
Sand my poor little motherless child; would
you leave her, Lillian 2n
At this lost all self control. ssIf you had
not iested at me-" sobbed, adespised me.
boasted that -
"Stop Lillian. What do these words mean?,,
he asked in stern tones.
LADY Isabel" gasped, and so as grew
calm, as far as my delicacy would let me, l
gave her cruel language, word for word.
''it's false-sli false,o he said, taking NV
hand, 'for SO far from bossting that knew
you loved me, Lillian, did not dare believe
that one so young, SO beautiful, so good and
gentle, might feel other than sentiments of
friendship for one so much older and graver
than herself" His voice grew soft and mu-
slcal-l vas astoaished--oyerwhelme
confidence deserted me. a .t
"Yes; Lillian, gladly would make you nv
own dear wife;" he addeG, drawing me to his
side. True, you have neither gold nor station;
but the wealth of apnre, glad young heart like
yours is all ask. Say, will you take the
place of the saihted one who lies here with
little Gertrude ? Lillian, tell me, can you love
me well enough to marry me.'
OIL Heaven knows | had long, long loved
him, not daring 20 whisper II to myself in dark
est night; and over Gertrude s grave todd him
'syes.'
Poor Lady Isabel! she had trusted to her
beauty, heI gold, ber power; and they had
failed her. When she first saw me with nv
noble husband, she grew white with anger.
disappointment and terror, that her duplicity
had been discovered, Poor Lady Isabel, she
is unmarried to this day, and she loved the
baropet herself r5