The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-10-23


FIRST LOVE.
Gam your only and first love? asked a
bright-eyed girl, as she reclined her clussl-
cally moulded brow upon the shoulder Of
her lover.
NO, Leila, you are not my only, not my
first, have loved another. Long years be-
fore saw you loved another, and love
that other still.
Love that other still, and better than me
Paul, why do you tell mr thar?' asked she,
rising her dark blue eyes, and gazing stead
fast y into those of her lover, half in asl on
Phment, half in sorrow, while her j,weled
finger tyhscned convul>ivrIy upon his arm.
you ask me, Leila, and | ai,>w cred W h
truth and sincerity; you would not have me
deceive you, would yon.'
'You love her still, then?'
q love her still.'
'And better than you do me?'
'Not better, but us well.'
sAnd will love her still!'
Until death, and bryond death, over her
last resting place will strew springs earli-
est flowers. and bedcw the sacred spot with
the purc>t tears love ever she'd
'IInnd>omer than |, is she not?'
'Iler eyes are as black as night, and her
hair in glossy bluckness Ouivie> the wing uf
the raven. She hasn't our sweet blue eyes,
nor your soft brown hair! yet. Oh. Leila,
her eyes have been the sweetest to me, that
ever looked the look of eternal lrve.'
'Paul, why do you wish to break my heart.
Why have YOU taught me to love you ST
wildly and blindy. and then. in the midst of
my happiness, tell me that there is an i'm
n:iSSihie barrier between US! This night,
Paul, We must part forever. | would not
have believed this, had another told me-!
and her eyes grew dim with tears.
BE not too rash, Leila: hear me to the
end, you love me too dear y to part with IN.
thus. Think yom that YOU could not share
my heart with one that 50 dearly love!'
Never. Paul, never!!'
'You shall, Leila, and must! Listen for
moment, while tell you my first love, and
am sure you will be willing to share with
her them
twill listen, Paul, but will not share
your love: must have all or none; am
selfish IN that respect, and who that loves
as do, is not? Forget me, or forget her.
forever
Forget her. Leila? Never! | would no,
lose one int of her pure affections for the
the girdle Of Venus or the love Of IL second
Ilclen!'
Then, Paul, you are lost to me forever;
we must part. Farewell to our dream of a
bright fu,ufe. loved you too well, and
am too proud to share your love with augh'
created. Oh Paul, you have wronged me
deeply; and her exqulSitelv chiseled lips curl.
ed with indignant sorrow.
stop, Leila, or you will deeply wrong
me also. met this loved one, as said he
+ fore, long years ago, in one Of the sweetcs
and sunnie>t wales of our broad Illinois
wandered with her hand in hand for year.
beside the sparkling waters-of my child
hoods home. FIRST by her smile Of eXqui.
site sweetness. she taught my heart that she
loved me with unutterabe fondness; and
never have doubted; my trust in her has
ever been steadfaSt fearless; never has hel
eve looked colby upon me, and never will it
till the death angel shall dim them for the
| long sleep. Oft in the still hours Of nigh
| have been awakened. ~ if ny the sleep OF
Gods wing. and behrld that face, those
eyes gazing upon me with all the beautifit
tenderness of guardian angel over II re-
pentant prodigal; and Il kiss would fall upor
my brow more soothing than the dews Of
! heaven.
The same gentle hand has led me along
life's howerv way, and beside its unrufflet
waters; and if ever my arm WIS raised to dc
deed of wrong, or my heart steeed to con
ceive it, that gentle mlnistering voice came
whispering in my ear and stayed the ont
midway and drew the iron from the other
And do remember, in my manhood's ripe
years, when deep sorrow fell upon my soul
and | would fuin have drank oblivion from
the wine cups fiery brm, that same dark.
eyed woman came, and bade me, in thu
name of God, to shun the fatal snare; ant
twining her arms around my neck, Will,
her eyes beamed with loves deep inspira
tlon, she poured oil upon the troubled VII
ters: told me of purer hopes and higher
aims, and in my ear whispered a COLDER
word that has outlived all sorrow.'
'Le.a, would you know the name of m,
first love? 'Tis my MOTHER
'Oh, Paul, I'll fors:ve you, and viii
share your love; indeed will
Il knew you would, Leila. Second low
is as dear rs the first.'
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