Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-14
..Irue. / SAID abut our hearts are not thus

MoHy OF t1OSe very. unreliable witnesses,
called eyes and ears. This seems to have been
my case-my soul was aware of her love,
and all the evidence of my external senses
could not altogether destroy that interior
faith,-But that evening l said-1 believe
you now, my senses! l doubt you now my
soul! She never loved mel So Twas really
very cold towards her-for about twenty
minutes.
l walked home with her; we were both 81
lent; but at the door she asked me to go in.
Here my calmness deserted me. and / could
hardly hold my heart, while replied. y go
IF you particularly wish it."
If did not, Ishould not ask you," she
said and went in.
i was ashamed and vexed at myself for
trembling so-tor / was in a tremor from
head to foot There was company in the par
lonesome of Margaret's friends. took my
seat upon sofa, and soon she came and sat
by my side.
II suppose said one, s.Mr Westwood has
been telling Margaret all about it,
About what?' Margaret inquired-and
here the truth flashed upon me-the news of
my proposed voyage had not yet reached her!
She looked at me with troubled. question
ing expression, and said
Il felt that something was going to happen.
Tell me what it is.
| answered-''Y our friend can best explain
what she means"
Then out came the secret. A shock of sur
prise sent the color from Margaret's face; and
raising her eyes she asked quite calmly, but
in low and unnatural tone
is this SOP
] said, L suppose cannot deny it,
You are really going?'
Il am really going
She could not hide her agitation. Her
white face betrayed her. Then | was glad, in
my heart, and vain enough to be gratified
that others should behold and know l held
power over her. Well-but l suffered for
that folly
4 feel hurt she said after little while,
because you have not told me this. You
have no sister, (this was spoken very quietly
and it would have been a privilege for me
to take sisters place, and do for You those
little things which sisters do for brothers
who are going on long journeys
l was choked: it was minute before
could speak. Then / said that l saw no
reason why she should tax her time or
thoughts to do anything for me.
''Oh, you know she said you have been
kind TO me-sO much kinder than / have
deservedf
1t was uncomfortable, the pathos of the
words! / was blinded, stif1ed-I almost groan-
ed aloud. If we had been alone, there our
trial would have ended. l should have
snatchcd her to my soul. But the eyes of
others were upon us. and | steeled myself
Besides l said. Il know of nothing that
you can do for me-
There must be many little things; to begin
with there is your glove, which you are tear
ing to pieces
True, | was tearing my glove-she was
calm enough to observe it! That made me
angry.
Give it to me: / will mend it for you.
Haven't you other gloves that need mending?
|, who had triumphed, was humbled. My
heart was breaking-and she talked of NEIL
ding glOVeSl did not omit to thank her.
coldly arose to go.
Well, | felt now that it was all over. The
next day 1 secured my passage in the
steamer in which my friends were to sail. |
took pains that Margaret should hear of that
too. Then came the preparations for travel,
arranging affairs, writing letters, providing
myself compact and comfortable outfit.
Europe was in prOspect-Paris. Switzerland,
Italy, lands to which my dreams had long
since gone before me, and to which | had
now turned my eyes with re-awaking aspi-
rations. A new glory arose upon my life,
in the light of which Margaret became a
fading star. 1t was so much easier than |
had thought to give her up, to part from her!
found that could forget in the excitement
of a fresh and novel experience: while she
could she forget me? When lovers part,
happy is he who goes! alas for the one that is
left behind?
One day when 1 was busy with the books
which was to take with me, a small package
was handed in. / need not tell you that [
experienced thrill when / saw Margalet's
hand writing upon the wrapper. / tore it
Open-and what think you | found? Ny
glove! Nothing else. | smiled bitterly, to
see how neatly she had mended it; then
sighed; then l said, 1T is fnished!' and tossed
the glove disdainfully into my trunk.
On the day before that fixed for the sailing
of the steamer, l made farewell calls upon
many of my friends-among others, upon
Margaret. But through the perversity of
pride and will, L did not go alone-I took
with me Joseph, mutual acquaintance, who
was to be my compagnon de poydger. | felt
some misgivings, to see how Margaret had
changed; she was so softened and so pale!
The interview was painful one. and l cut
it short. As we were going out, she gently
detained me, and said
Did you receive-your glover -
oh, yes 1 said. aud thanked her for men
ding it.
And is this all, all you have to say?' she
asked.
Il have nothing more to say, except good
bye
She held my hand. Nothing else?'
No, it is useless to talk of the past. Mar
garet; and the future-may you be happy
Good bye!'
| thought she would speak; l could not
believe she would let me go; but she did. |
bore up well until night. Then came a revo-
luton. walked three times past the house,
wofully tempted, my love and my will at
cruel warfare; but | did not go in. At mid
night saw the light in her room extinguished:
knew she had retired, but whether to sleep,
Ill I
home. did not close my eyes that night. |
was glad to see the morning come, after such
a night
The steamer was to sail at ten. The hustle
of embarkation; strange scenes and strange
faces; parting from friends: the ringing of the
bell; last adieus-some. who were TO go with
US, hurrying aboard; others, who were 10 stay
behind, as hastily going ashore; the with
drawal of the plank-sad sight TO many eyesi
casting off the lines, the steamer swinging
heavily around, the rushing, irregular motion
OF the great slow paddles; the waving of the |
from the decks. aud the res
ponsive signals from the crowd lining the
wharf; off at last-the faces of friends, the
crowd, the piers; and lastly the city itself. |
fading from sight, the dash of spray, the
freshing breeze, the novel sight of our little |
world detaching itself and floating away; the
feeling that America past and Europe
was next; all this filled my mind with anima-
ton aud excitement. which shut out thoughts
of Margaret. Could / have looked with
vision, and heheld her then.
looked in her chamber, should have been so
happy? o. what fools vanity aud pride
make OF usi Even then, with nv heart high
strung with hope and courage, had known
the truth, / should have abandoned my
friends. the voyage, and Europe, and
returned in the pilots boat. to find something
more precious than all the continents aud
countries of the globe, in the love of that
heart which | was carelessly flinging away.
fro RE Continued