San Andreas independent., 1857-11-21

|
from the room.
" Evening came, and ! found myseli
at Montieth's. Now, Tom, don't ask me
to describe Eleanor Gray. | can't do it
She was as beautiful as an angel and be-
fore had conversed with her ten minutes
was almost ready to fall at her feet with
her other worshipers. Her eyes were hel
chief charm-large, lustrous, dark, beau
tiful orbs, flashing at times with such
dazzling light they almost blinded the
gazer. But they did not quite blind me-
though at times, when they flashed look
at me, was forced to turn my head away
and whisper to myself, Never yield, Bob
you have duty to perform
Days passed on, Frank C. hac
offered his heart and hand to the beauty
beer rejected, procured bottle of laud
anum, which still remained untouched in
his room, and scores of other unfortunate
youths were dying for her, but was still
safe. The brightest glances from hel
eyes fell harmless on my stout heart, which
refused to be softened, even by the beau
tiful waves of her dark hair. But Isoor
made discovery-Eleanor Gray loved
me. | knew it; never mind how. had
found her heart; should | break it? When
/ | entered room where she was, her eye
would seek mine and brighten at it met
them. When she talked with me it was in
a gentle tone, and l have heard her voice
tremble when she sang for me, and seen
her cheeks flush, and her silken lashes
droop when | gazcd upon her face.
" One evening" glorious moonlight
evening" was walking with her down
by the sea. We were talking of sol
dier's life, and had been telling her sto
rlcs of the camp, and field, and deeds done
in battle, her eye kindled as | talked, and
she cried, How l should love to be a
soldiers wife, to follow him in battle, and
SO to watch, if even from afar, as he
plunges into the thickest of the fight, and
bravely strives for the victory And il
he fell, | could not weep if he fell fight
ing, face to the foe, but thank God that
| had been his wife, and seen him die a
glorious death.
'Oh, you could never endure the hard.
ships of soldiers wife, | said. Gould
you travel through snow and ice, or over
the hot sands of weary deserts, or cross
stormy oceans?'
Yes, yes she cried, | could do al
this, and more with one, for one | love.
81 looked down into her eyes, flashing
with enthusiasm, and said, in low, earn
est tone:
"'With one you love. Will you eve
love, Eleanor Gray? Does any morta
live who can obtain that priceless gem
your love 2
"She dropped the lashes over her eyes
those beautiful eyes-for IA moment
then looking up, said:
"'Can you doubt my power of loving
Yes, Robert, | can love-
''She- threw one glance from those eyes
and my courage faltered but | had re
solved, and, laughing loud, scornfu
laugh, | said:
"'Why. what scene we are having
Private theatricals. When shall we per
form in public.
| g thought she would have killed me
with the lightning from her eye-uttered
bitter words aud silenced me forever
but what do you think she did, Tom p
She looked me full in the face, and il
the moonlight I saw tears gather in ae1
eyes. Slowly they gathered there, anc
she did not wipe them away, but let then
fall one by one. The light in those bright
eyes was softened. She looked sadly
reproachfully at me, and I, we'll, | fell al
her feet, implored her forgiveness, told
her | loved her, and in minute more
was kissing those very tears away, and
calling her ney ora for she had prom
iscd to be my wife.
So you see women can weep real tears,
Tom, and melt mans heart with them
too"
"'But Bob, where is Eleanor Gray now!
Did she die after that wonderful effort ?
"'Why, no, not exactly, Tom-the fact
is, she Tilted me in week. But what
did you make NE spoil my story for?-
You'll never believe those were real
tears nowv'