Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1858-07-20
MisCeIlaneults.
First Love.

| fIfSE AOVc.
| sam your only and first love p asked bright
eyed girl as she reclincd her classically moulded
brow upon the shoulder of her lover.
mo, Leila, you are not my only, not my first; I
have loved another. Long years before saw you
loved another, and love that other still.
Love that other still, and better than mel Paul,
| why do you tell me that asked she raising her
dark blue eyes, and gazing steadfastly into those
OF her lover, half in astonshment, half in sorrow.
while her jeweled fingers tightened conyulsively
upon his arm.
You asked me, Leila and I answered with truth
and sincerity you would not have me deceive you,
would your
You love her still then?
love her still.
And better than =yosstlo rue?
Not better but rs we'll.
And will love her still?
Until death, and even beyond death; over her
last restingpace will strew springs earliest low-
ers, and beew the sacred spot with tho purvst tears
that love ever shed.
Handsomer than I, is she not Z?
Her eyes are as black as night, and her har in
glossy blackness outvies the wing of the raven
She hasn't your sweet blue eyesnor your soft brown
hair; yet, Oh Leila, her eyes have been tho sweet
est, to me, that ever looked the look of eternal
love.
Paul do you wish to break my heart? Why
have you taught me 10 love you so wildly and
bndly, and then in the midst of m happiness tell
me that there is impossible bq rricr 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, LeiIa-hear mo to tho end you
love mo too dearly 20 part with me th US. Think
you that you could not share my heart with one
that so dearly love?
Never, Paul-never!
You shall, Leila, and must Listen for mo-
ment while tell You of my first love, and am
sure you will be willing to share with her then.
] will listen, Paul, but will not share your love
! must have all or none. am selfish in that res
pcct, and who that loves do is no! !? Forget
me, Paul, or forget hor forever.
Forget her, Leiia2 Never! wonld not lose one
jot of her pure affection for the fairest face that
ever bloomed no, not for the girdle of Venus or
the love of second Helen
t"Then, Paul, you are lost to me forever: we must
part. Farewell to every dream of brighter
future. love you too well, and am too proud to
share your love with aught created. Oh, Paul you
have wronged me deeply and her cxquistely CHS
eled lips curled with indignant sorrow
Stop, Leila, you viii deeply wrong me also
met this loved said before years age. in
one of the sweetest and sunniest wales of our broad
Illinois; wander red with her, hand in hand, for
years. beside the sparkling waters ofmy childhoods
home. First by her smile of exquisite sweetness
she loved me with unutterable fondncss and never
have doubted-my trust in her has ever been stead
land fearless-pever hes her eve looked coldIv.
upon me, and never will it, till the death apre
shall dim them for the long sleep. Oft in the still
hours of night have been awakened as if bv tho
sleep Gods wing, beheld that face those eyes gaz
ing upon me with oil the beatiic tenderness ofa
guardian angel over repentant prodigal; and a
kiss would fall upon my brow more soothing than
the dews of heaven.
The same gentle hand has led me along life dow
cry way, and beside its unrufed waters; and if
ever any arm was raised TO do deed of wron o. or
my heart steeed to conceive 1t. that gentle minis
tory voice came whispering in my ear and STAYED
the one midway, and drew the iron from the other
And do remember, in my rnanhood's riper years
@hen deep sorrow fell upon my soul, and I would
taln have drank oblivion from the wine cup,s ferv
brim that same dark eyed woman came, and bade
me, in the name OF God to shun the fatal snare
and, twining her arms around my neck, while her
eyes beamed with loves deep inspiration she pour.
ed oil upon the troubled waters; told me of purer
hopes and hi igher aims and in my ear WHISPERED a
golden word that has not outlived all sorrow.
Leila, would you know the name of my first love
1t is my mother.
oh, Paul, I will forgive you and share your loyo
indeed will.
knew you would, Leila. Second love is as dear
as the FIRST.