True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-04-07
Q. RAGAN, Editor and Proprietor.

through the chance windows. and resting
on her bridal crowned hair; bu, the choir
chanled requlems for the dead, and look
ing on Harry Worthington's face. she
saw that the expression there was one of
defnance and of mockery while there
stole over his heart. through the purity
of his bridal vestments. deep, red stain,
as if human blood flowed slowly from
wound beneath, and the wedding ring,
which he placed on her finger slipped
from thence with irresistible force, and
fell to the ground.
But il was not quite all a dream.-HaT'
ry Wothington had returned he was
standing before her, and the ring which
he had given her had indeed slipped from
her finger, and lay at his feet.
Surprised al finding her sleeping there
in the cold and deserted chamber, he was
about TO wake her, when she started up
with cry Of horror
He endeavored to subdue her agitation,
and srove to smile away the emotion
which The recital of her dream awoke in
his own breast. But when be would have
replaced the ring, Hope withdrew her
hand from his, and. though her voice
wavered as she spoke, her words were
firm and resolule.
"When you first gave this to me, dear
Harry, did not comprehend, in the
moments happy excitement of finding
myself your betrothed wife the avowal
which you then made; and cannot with
maturer knowledge of your sentiments,
again accept from you, token Of an af
fecIion which recognizes in spirit, no ho-
lier consecration than its a~owd. No
more, dear Harry dare become your
wife. knowing, as now do, from your
own lips ,ha. you look on marriage but
as an idle form Of conventionalsm, which
you would, without scruple, at once reject.
if possible"
III did not expect this of you, Hope.
What has changed you thus since left
you! ;" his tones were bitter; he question
ed her with stern imperiousness.
She grieved not over the GOODNESS of
those hitherto gentle tones. as she did
over the weakness and aposlacy of her
own heart which had given him occasion
to thus question her; and she answered,
sorrowfully and meekly.
Communion with my own soul in
the solitude of your absence, and the
CONSCIOUSNESS of the delusipn with which
an human affection has blinded me, to a
wiIhl doubt Of tha. which in my hear
| knew to be true and more than all else
dear Harry, do grieve over the bitter
fruit of my own degeneracy, which l nov
reap in the lasting conviction that |. who
have been found vulnerable to the doubts
of sceplicism, may never be TO you the
humble instrument of Gods mercy il
leading you to recognition of his Infnie
tenderness towards his children. Oh
Harry Oh, Harry would that hat
no. sinned, less for my own sake than
, thine, my beloved"
And in her own grief she hid her face
upon the breast that no longeri in coldnes'
rejected her.
First for my sake, then for His,'
, whispered Hope, in tenderest, imporns
, accents, as Harry Wolthington looked
: with strange sad eyes, upon her tearfu
{ countenance, and slrove to still the tumul
) in his own breast. So long did he remain
, silent, so intense was his agitation, whici
portrayed itself in the changing expression
Of his countenance ke he answered her
r that a nameess dread Of the words whicl
she saw he was about to utter, came owe
=. the heart Of Hope.
Q "You are very cold--vou are shiverin,
! my love" and Harry Worthinglon fol
. ded his own cloak about her; for he fel
that she would grow colder yet with hi
words. And then he went far back int
, the past, recalling the day of Hanna
Q WorihingIon's dealh, and the rigorou
!, years Of her guardianship which ha
i proceeded it.
"Wilh my boy-hears hardened int
d unnatural obduracy by her constant re
n proaches, her never-ceasing rebukes, a
9 that period cherished the secre. belle
s which she ever openly professed of til
natural moral depravity Of my nature. =
r Suddenly Hannah Worthington wa
called to yield that exemplary Chrstia
a life of hers. which was deemed mode