The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-02-26

u"pPy rs when her dark brown curls float.
ed IN silken masses about my shoulders, and
her soft cheek was laid closely to mine.
we would remain thus for hours, her fair
arms around my neck, and her dove like
eyes fixed upon mine, while ever and anon
her lips would meet mine own, and murmur
ever SO sweetly-Dear Eddie!
so we grew together,
Like TO double cherry, seeming parted,
But yet union in partition
Then came our first parting, and long.
long did we mingle our tears before we
could bid farewell to each other.
After our first separation often wrote TO
Alice, and though too young herself to re-.
ply TO my letters, her mother would do so
for her. Perhaps this was unwise thus to
encourage our affection, but be that as it
may, our correspondence was continued for
nearly year before discovered by her
father, who Immediately put stop to it.
Young as | was, could have shot him
for thus closing the Only avenue of inter.
course and affection then open TO us.
Another year was -olled away from time.
and during all this time l heard nothing of
Alice. l could pay no attention to my
studies, cosld take no interest in the sports
OF my companions, because of the absence
and silence of her, who was dearer 10 me
than the ties of life, and moro beauteous
than the visions Of dream land. / deter.
mined TO see her again, and accordingly,
at the age Of fifteen, l left home without
the knowledge Of my parents, and after a
lew hours travel found myself before her
i"thets cottage again. AS l opened the
door her mother recognised me, and ex
claimed: why, Edward! how do you do.'
Alice no sooner heard MY name mentioned
than she rushed into my arms, exclaiming:
Dear Eddie and burst into tears. Alice
was now eleven years old, and was more
beautiful than when last | had seen her.
| remained with her near too months,
every day of which was spent in each others
society. and our hearts became vet more
and more linked together in bonds of atfec.
ton. We parted again, aud only now and
then during the next six years was per.
mitted TO behold her.
During all tia; time my heart yearned
after her, and even when beneath the sunny
skies of fair Italy, and amid the grandeurs
of almighty Rome" there remained a
drsary void in my bosom which all the
world could not fill-and that void was my
old sweetheart's absence.
About one year ago Alice came TO
$, to spend a months with her old uncle,
Major D., whose guest you now are
ha=cued 10 see ..rr, ana Ill ho.. heanG.
fully had my cherished bud developed into
the full blown rose. She received me kind.
ly, but modeslly, aud upon my alluding to
our childhood she bushed, but appeared
not displeased. | became frequent vis.
tor 10 the majors, and often rode about the
country with Alice, who soon became so
accustomed 10 me as to call me Eddie. The
afternoon before she left S., we took a
walk out TO the V. grove, and there and
then told her Of my love.
You a'e mine, Alice-are YOU not." |
asked, ms took her hand in mine aud
pressed it to my lips.
She answered me by a Slight pressure of
my hand, and then we both wept.
Alice left the next morning for B,
promising 10 reply to my letters, and TO
think of me often.
In reply TO my first letter, she concluded
hers by stating that young gentleman
uamed William Bradsford would be in
s., for few days, by whom l could
send my next letter.
| know not why, but felt considerable
uneasiness after reading this portion Of her
letter. but little did dream what part this
new character would take in the drama of
my life.
Several days passed before heard any
thing OF Bradsford, when one night return.
ing from the majors, to whom | had paid
visit, | accidentally heard my name men
toned by friend standing OH the sidewalk
in connexion with another Curiosity i'm.
pelled me to secrete myself behind tree
near where these persons stood. Their
backs being towards me, and the night
very dark, l found no difficulty in obtain.
ing good position. They were conversing
IN q low tone of voice and | could only
now and then catch a word or two. "Alice
w. and Edward Mn" / distinctly
head, but the whole sentence was lost to
NE.
Imagine my surprise, Mr.. f., at hearing
even these words at such time and place.
felt considerable agitation, and was anxious
10 know what possible business could these
unknown persons have with Alice and my
SELF when heard remark that sent the
hot blood boiling through my yeins-and
this was il:
We'll, Bill, I'll bet any amount that you
can elope with Alice, and Nh will not
care n d---n about it,
"Dare itp' | cried, "you vilainslp and so
saying l rushed out upon them, when Que
fled and the other closed with me; aud,
finding himself worsted, drew dirk from
his bosom, and plunged the cold steel into
my uplifted arm.
wrenched the weapon from his hand,
and ma6dened TO desperation, made a
plunge at him. He fell, with an exeIama-
ton of pain, and fearing that had mortal.
ly wounded lim, fled from the spot per,
fectly horror struck. reached my resi-
dence, | know not how, aud was about to
enter, when the ,hought struck me that, as
man of honor, l should have my antago.