Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-04-15

4 - 49, RRSNN - h0AAs
laying her hand in mine, : this is your re-
ward
The wedding day was fixed. With
what joy | awaited the approach Of this
e%ventfal period. Time passed on slowly
enough to my eager anticipation. The
eve of the day came. | was sitting in my
Office, when a servant brought me the
alarming intelligence that Della had dis
appeared, no one knew whittier. At the
same time he placed in ~ hand. q note
addressed to me, in her well known hand
writing:
"EDwARp-Forgivc me for having so
Hong deceived you. / never loved YOU
I am about to clope with him who alone
possesses my heart. Pardon her whom
you have so often called your DELLA
| sat in my chair in a state Of stnpor,
holding the fatal paper firmly clenched ID
my hand, while the moments passed by
UNDECIDED. Heaven only knows how long
I should have remained thus, If | had not
been disturbed by the entrance OF her
guardian.
He noticed my distraction at once, and
Inquired the cause. [ gave him the letter
silently. | could not speak my heart was
in my throat, and choked my utterance.
Gould I have wept, | should have been
relieved.
He read the note; and as he did SO, the
greatest astonishment was depicted on his
face. When he had finished, he exclaim-
ed:
at is impossible, she never would have
acted thus"
Is not this her hand writing?" grasp
ed I.
He sc~rutinized the note, word for word,
and his countenance fell as he replied
=" 1t is very like"
"You cannot deny it,"
The resemblance is very great, yet let
US not be too hasty Edward. will has
item home and ascertain the truth; wait
until I return.
lie was gone. l had no intention of
awaiting his return. The demon of des.
pair was in my soul. and I could not bear
to look on familiar things. | wrote a line
to my tutor. leaving my property to his
chargs, and gathering up what money |
had in the office, | hurried away.
That afternoon | took the cars for New
York. On my arrival there, | found the
city filled with volunteers for the army
in Mexico. | joined them and obtained
a captains commission.
| have little more to tell. Since then
/ have led a soldiers life. | have cour-
ted death in many a fray, and escaped
without a wound. | can not drive the
image Of her whom [ SO fondly loved, and
who so basely deceived me-, from my
mind. She has been the cause Of the
everlasting grief that consumes me-
Something tells me that tomorrow my
heart will be at rest"
He ceased speaking, wrapped his cloak
close about him, and laid down to sleep.
| became absorbed in a t~rain-of thoughts
as I reflected over his singular history,
but before | could come to any definite
conclusion, slumber surprised me.
Day was just breaking as awoke from
nv nan. I had been dreaming. / thought
had discovered the runaway Della re-
stored her to the arms Of the distracted
Archer, and was receiving their grateful
thanks, when opening my eyes, | discov-
cred a young lad shaking me by the
shoulder.
sprang to my feet and asked him what
he wanted. He was an affectionate look
ing little fellow with curly. brown hair,
and the prettiest blue eyes ever saw
His smooth forehead looked care worn,
and there was an expression of deep Eor-
row upon his youthful countenance.
Where is Captain Archer?" he asked
in answer to my interrogation.
"Yonder," | replied, pointing with my
sword towards the "forlorn hope" which
was forming for the attack
"Can I speak to him?' he inquired.
Before / could answer, the word was
given to advance.
After the battle" | cried, as l hurri-
ed forward to take my place in the ad-
yaneing column.
THAT will be too late!n | heard him
scream as | hurried away.
The assault was over. The remnant of
the =" %forlorn hope" was gathering around
a table in the castle Of the Bishop, which
was covered with TASKS of generous wine.
Archer and myself were the only surviv-
liiS OluCCTS. Dy lg elGo oGOOQ tu0 UOI.
who had scaled the walls after me, and
passed through the iron hail storm of war
~unscratched. Archer and myself had
fought side by side, and the courageous
little fellow had closely followed our foot
steps.
The boy was gazing 1%ntently upon Arch
er's face, as if DESTROYS of attracting his
attention. Surprising he wished to be
praised for his bravery, turned to Arch.
er and said
/" Captain Archer, you have not yet ne.
lticed cur young volunteer"
Ny words had aroused him from the
~revery into which he had fallen; he raised
his eyes and looked towards the lad
The moment their eyes met. he sprang
wildly to his feet exclaiming-
"Delia!"
"Edwardl7 was the reply, and they
were locked in each others arms. He
did not pause to question her truth-he
asked no explanations. All was forgot
ten in the JOY of the re union.
/ was made acquainted with all after
wards. The mystery was easily solved.
The note had been forged by the relative
who had just lost the suit, and he had alb
Quoted Della, and conveyed her to a coun.
try house, to give color to the fabrication.
He did this to revenge himself for the
loss of his property.
Della succeeded in makingsher escape,