Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-02-14
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For the Register.
I AM ALL ALONE.
BY LEILA UNDERWOOD.


! desolate, more dreary than We are with all
your rude blasts which cause the belaled
traveller TO fold his garments more close
ly around him and hurry on his way
Enter not to pierce this bleeding heart
with your pitiful means, for as sit here
in the quielude of my room by glowing
fire where its ftful CLEANS cast shadows
upon the wall, in Imagination hear in
your cries the signs of broken hearts
chanting lonely requiem for the loved
the host, for fond memory has been out
returned and empiied her casket at my
feet, and my soul is now busted with
thoughts of the mighty Past.
Jus, eighteen months ago when the soft
winds were whispering in plainlive melo-
dies, amid the bright green leaves, laden
with the sweet scented fragrance OF the
flowers, when all hearts seemed happy
and the world at peace, that first saw
tina, "bright particular star" for whom l
loved and mourned upon earth and for
whom I've bid all things Of this earth
adieu. Even at this moment methlnks |
can see The dark grey intellectual eyes OF
Ronald ST. Clair the evening we first met,
twas at the fountains side, where (tl-
red and diagusted with the haltery OF false
money seeking friends and the Incessani
rafting tongues of the iIiterate creatures
who were the slaves of fashion,) had
sought refuge in the peace and monoto-
nous stiffness that reigned completely,
save the low murmurings OF the llmpld
waters as they rolled over the white peb,
bles that formed tiny cascade. The mo-
ments flew by upon the golden wings OF
time, but needed them not, | sat there
musng upon the bright anticipaiions for
the future, which my fond parents had
prophesed to be my portion, sat there
in the possession of heart innocent and
guileless as maiden's could be, for had
never known the pangs, the fears, yet still
the Immaculate bliss of Love, butl was
reused from my reverle by low ruslllng
among the shrubbery and in q moment
more | was clasped in the embrace Of my
own brother Willie, the idol Of my young
heart But need not describe our meet
ing. Enough TO say he had returned
from college and brought with him his
college chum, Ronald ST. Clair. be-
held in him the ideal of my heart, altho'
| had never loved, knew that there was
an image stamped there which must love
when | met The original, and in him | had
recognised as well as reconciled my ideal
with the real. When he spoke his voice
sounder, sweeter and more bewitching by
soi, than any other. did not know at
frs! why had become so changed. Why
instead of retiring as usual, | would sItup
in the shadow Of the pale moon, watch
ing the light airy clouds that loatod one
after another on the deep blue ether, and
gazing upon the bright stars, as if was
reading III their twinkling !ight-my des-
tiny. But soon, very soon knew that
the master chord of my heart of hearts
had been touched by his skill(ul hand,
and that that chord vi5rated when his
manly steps and only his was heard, that
81 had realized woman'S dcstiny-to
love" But why should sit here and
pen the joys flown alas forever why
need probe this bleeding heart alresh by
living DER as it were the days Of so
much incf'able happiness? In word to
say Ronald ST. Clair loved me, | cared
not what should happen, for had not
comforter, a friend, oNin him ! 81 had
tasted woman's hottest highest Joy. the
Joy Of loving and being beloved" Sol
row and deep aliliction might lower their
dark clouds upon me, still the remem
brance of that bliss should ever remain
indeIlibIy impressed upon my hearts
faithful tablets. By the side Of the loun-
tain where we first met he woed and won
me, soon very soon the nuptial knot was
TO be tied was not happy then AT
night in my midnigh, slumbers | would
dream Of Eden, and in the day | would
murmur Paradise, how longed for the
time when might call him all my own.
But Fate's stern DEGREES denied me that.
Must be forced to admit the heart-break-
ing reality ! Must say when about on
the eve of drinking the cup Of happiness
that it was dashed from my lips Yes,
poor sorrowing soul We must say it, must
say that that being you loved so idola-
lrously was ushered into the presence of
his maker without one friend to receive
his last sigh ere his soul was waited 10 the
society Of kindred spirits. How merrlly
did The light boat skim Der the transpar-
emf waters which bore him nearer each
moment 10 her he loved, but i'll moment
when his heart was filled with raptures of
praise 10 that great founs of happiness, a
moment when he dreamed not of danger,
the boat was capsized. and ere assistance
could be rendered Ronald had breathed
his last-the cruel graspng waters was
his winding sheet. cried out in the
utter despair and agony of my soul when
gazed upon my first my only love, stiff