Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-07-15
FIRST LOVE.

FIRST LOVE.
"Am | your only and first love ~ ask
ed a bright eyed girl, as she reclined her
classically moulded brow upon'the shout
der of her lover.
mo, Leila, you are not my only, not
my first love j; I have loved another
Long years before I saw you, l loved an.
other-and | love that other STILL"
Love that other still, and better than
mel" Paul, why do you tell me that 7"
asked she, raising her dark blue eyes and
gazing s~teadfastly into those of her lover,
half in establishment, half in sorrow,
while her jewelled fingers frightened con.
~vulsively upon his arm.
"You asked me, Leila, and / answered
with truth and sincerity you would not
have me to deceive you, would you ~
TYou love her still. then?
81 love her STILL"
And better tnan you do me z"
"Not better, but as well.
"And will love her still 2"
"Until death, and even beyond death /;
over her last resting place will | strew
springs earliest flowers, and bedew the
sacred spot with the purest tears love
ever she'd"
H%andsomer than l, is she not %
Her eyes were black as night, and
her hair in glossy blackness outvied the
wing of the raven. She hasn't your
sweet blue eyes, nor your soft brown
hair ; yet, oh Leila, her eyes have been
the sweetest eyes, to me, that ever looked
the look Of eternal love.
Paul, why do wish to breakmy heart :
Why have you taught me to love you SO
wildly and b1indly, and then, in the midst
of my happiness, tell me there is an i'm
passible barrier between US? Thisnight,
Paul, we must part forever? | would
have not believed this, had another told
mel and her eyes grew dim with tears.
BE not toe rash, Leila hear me to
the end you love me too dearly to leave
me thus Think you that you could not
share my heart with n that | SO dearly
love-"
Never, Paul, neverp'
7 You shall, Leila, and must! Listen
for a moment, while / tell you my first
love, and | am sure you will be willing
to share with her then"
Il will listen, Paul, but viii not share
your love I must have all or aene, | am
selfish in that respect, and who, That loves
as I do, is not? Forget me, Paul, or for.
get her forever? ?"
Forget her. Leila? Never! I would
not lose one jot Of pure affection for the
fairest face that ever bloomed not for
the girdle Of Venus, or the love of a Sec
ond Helen
Then, Paul, you are lost to me forev-
er we must part. Farewell to our every
dream of frightened future. | love you
too well, and am too proud to share your
love with aught created. OF Paul YOU
have wronged me deeply J" and her ex.
~quisitely chisled lips curled with indig-
naRt sorrow.
"Stop, Leila, or you will deeply wrong
me, also. [ met this loved one as I said
before. long years ago, lin one Of the
sweetest and sunniest wells of our broad
Illinois wandered with her, hand in
hand, for years, beside the sparkling wa.
tiers of my c~hildhood's home. First by
her smiles of exquisite sweetness. she
taught my heart she loved me with IN.
utterable fondness and never have T
doubted my trust in her has ever been
steadfast and fearless. The same gentle
hand has led me along life's fowery way.
and beside its unrufled waters and if
aver my arm was raised to do a deed Of
wrong, that gentle admonitory voice cams
whispering in my ear, and stayed the n
midday and drew the iron from the other.
And do well remember in my manhood's
ripper years, when deep sorrow fell upon
my soul, and | would fam have drank OBJ
livion from the wine cups fiery BRING THAT
some dark eyed woman came and babe
me, in the name of God, to shun that IA
tai snare ; and twining her arms around
my neck, while her eyes beamed with
loves deep inspiration, she poured oil
upon the troubled waters told me of
pure hopes and higher aims, and in mr.
ear whispered q golden word that has
oHtlived all sorrow, Leila, would you
know the name of my FIRST love? lis
MY MOTHER r d
30, Paul, I'll forgive you, and viii
share your love indeed / will"
II knew you would, Leila. Second
leye is as dear as the first"