Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-11-10

lnlS very "OOu, anu Opcneu Out mJ
boys heart to you: you did not scorn or
turn me away; we exchanged gifts; for
then another had not come 10 cast his
shadow on my happiness
oh, Gerardl'
'Ay, dark and sad enough, Naomi. it
will prove. Since we have been parted,
| have worn your image in my heart
You, my first thought. my first, my last
prayer. return 10 renew that engage
ment, find you lovelier than even my
most exaggerated fancIes had pictured
you, and find you, Naomi, oh HeavenI
only to lose you
TO lose me, Gerard! Wherefore
what-what have l done to forfeit love
l, too, never swerved from since / gave
you this locket?'
Never swerved FROM? almost shouted
Gerard, with scornful lip. Naomi what
call you your engagement with Mr.. Vii
liers?'
with who?'
'Mr. Villiers.'
My engagement!-what engagement;
Naomi. why thus probe my heart
Your engagement with him to be mar
ried.'
Gerard uttered these last words in q
tone which terrified poor Naomi.
You are mistaken, Gerard she said
my sister Phoebe is
Engaged to Villiers?'
Yes. he only actually declared him
self this morning before you or was up
and
But you, Naomi-is there any other
cursed Harry Villiers who has won your
hean?'
She turned her eyes upon the ground
Shall l confess the truth?'-are you
calm enough to hear it? she exclaimed.
He all but tainted.
oh, | am calm,' he prepared
to hear what feel you are going to say.
'Well,' she murmured, then l ad
nit
That you have given your heart tc
another Harry VilliersP he cried, i'm
petuOusly.
i have; but bis name is not Viliers!
1t matters little to me whether it is
Viiliers, Or
Gerard Earlep she exclaimed, turn.
ing her full, clear, loving eyes upon him
He fell on his knees before her, and
clasped her waist with his burning hands
Is this SOP be asked, in accents oi
intense excitement.
She answered by pressing his heated
forehead with her lips.
He sprung from the ground, and fold
ing his arms around her, pressed her
passionately to his breast. He whisper
ed fOndly in her ear. And are you real
ly mine-only, only mine?'
Thine only, Gerard she replied
Think you l have forgotten our parting
forgotten the promise we made, or thai
the love bore for you then, has faded
or paled with time? No--oh, no!
knew you the instant my eyes fell upon
you, though abse nee and alteration made
by nature have much changed you; still
your features were imprinted on the tab
lets Of my memory. and the changes Of
time and nature could not efface them.
.Darllng!' he calculated. Yet you
we're cold to me at first
Not cold, Gerard
You did not kiss me when first you
saw me after SO many years absence
Phoebe did,
You were not Indifferent to me, &C.
rard; if you had been you would have
found me act just as Phoebe did,
And you do love me. Naomi?'
More truly, more fondly, more dearly
than ever did, Gerard she exclaimed.
He held, at that moment, pressed
close to his throbbing heart, the pre:tiest
little girl in existence, and his lips were
fastened upon pair OF the smallest yet
pulpiesl in Christendom.
Enviable dog.
All this while Martin Dacre was draw
ing ale, mixing grog. and selling cigars
to the young -fellowdom of GuilfOrd. who
were looking out for Phoebe and N4omi,
and wondering why they were not illu-
minating by their presence the bar which
seemed so gloomy without them.
The cracking of dry tWigs announced
approaching footsteps, and Gerard and
Naomi at once stood to order. He be-
gan to expatiate on the beauties of the
orchis tribe, a flower Of the genus being
conveniently at hand for him to pluck.
1t was Harry and Phoebe who ap-
preached.
Where have you been?' exclaimed
the latter. I'VE have looked everywhere
for you
Following you.' responded Gerard,
with flushed face.
La, PhoebeP how you have bent the
front of your bonnet!' exclaimed Naomi,
suddenly, in hopes to draw attention from
her blushing countenance. Let me
strsighten it for ycu. How could you
have done it?'