St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-07-28
"Whcn shall you see Mr.. Hueston?'
asked Clara, looking anxiousiy into
her friends cold and placid face.

Tomorrow evening, at seven
And 10 b. married at eight? On!
strange girl. Has he not desired to
see yon before, Or is he as eccentric
as yourself?'
He has often requested an inter-
view. and in terms both gracious and
diguifed," was the reply. But IN
this one thing l would have my will.
And now, dear Clara, you may 60
down and talk with Cameron. l will
go out alone for last walk"
She put on her bonnet and light
shawl, and took familiar path which
led across a green field, through
grove of oaks, to q brook which sung
along it's pebbly way under the deep
shadow of the trees. Here she had
sat MANY an hour in her childhood.
dreaming wild, sweet visions Of all
that could make life beautiful, and the
place was hallowed one. She sunk
down on a messy seat, and her thoughts
went on into the yelled future, eager
" seeking for some ray of light to
strengthen and to cheer her. But life
seemed strangely blank and cold.
Suddenly shadow, not her own,
fell across the brook, aud step sound
ed on the turf. Unwilling to be dis
turbcd, she rose and would have has
tened away. but voice and hand ar
rested her, and strangely agitated.
she looked up and met the pale, eager
face OF Norwood.
For an instant she could not speak
her very heart stood still.
Norwood |" at length she uttered,
"why are you here Tomorrow"
al know ALL" lie exclaimed but
Blanche, l would see your face once
more, and hear the voice love. Car
you dream what life has been to me
since you sent me from you, how rest
less, weary and unsatisfied !? know
tomorrow gives you to husband
but to-day you are still mine. And
would look upon my own once more.
His impassioned words brought
back, with overwhelming power, the
memory of all they had been to eacf
other. Yet Blanche did not forget hel
vow. She longed to hear him speak
of love it was balm to her thirstine
heart, but she dared not. She nerveC
herself to feign an anger which she
did not feel.
"You are more than rash, you arc
unkind and cruel" she said, to come
to me now and bring back the past SC
vainly. This hour is consecrated tt
other thoughts. If you loved me, you
would not inflict such needless pain
"Say no more !" cried Norwood
kissing her hand. "You are resolute
and must leave you once more-gc
now Prepare to meet your unknown
and unwelcome husband. You shall
never see Norwood again !"
And in an instant he was gone
Like spectre he had come an
vanished, leaving her all unnerved fo
the ceremony. She hurried homo, b,
there was no sleep for her that nigh
and not until the fatal hour drew nes
did her usual calmness return to her
There, Blanche, the veil is beaut
full, and hangs right royalty on yol
queenly head. Now if you would onl
have "a rosebud here and there,
would break the glistening samcne'
Of your dress"
mot flower" said Blanche, col
ly viewing herself in the mirror
flowers are for such as you and Car
eron, who love each other. Jcwe
are more appropriate for my marriag
but | will wear neither"
at is seven o'clock, Blanche "
"WelI ?" asked Blanche, her dar
eyes falling q moment.
"Mr. Hunston is in the librar.
Shall | go down with your"
No" was the answer, and. II
bride drew her veil half over her fac
al will see him alone this one hou
When tue clock strikes eight, you a,
Cameron may come for me-"
She passed down a side stairway
evade the observation of the CUES
who were assembling, and in a m
ment she stood within the librar
But now her strength failed her, h
heart throbbed painfully-she cou
not lift her eyes from the floor.
"Will not my bride give me OF
look 2" said a voice which thrille
every nerve in her being, aud a stror
arm clasped her in close embrae
The blood rushed to her cheeks, s.
lifted her eyes in an ecstasy Of VIC
der.
Norwood here !"
William Norwood Hueston,
yonr service, my Blanche"
Blushing, trembling, speeches., b
with new, wonderful joy kindled
r heart, she could only look te;
ally in his face.
Forgive me the deception"
aid, as he looked smiling down
her. Il had no wish to gain yo
hand without your heart, and if y
had met and parted from me as fir,
any stranger, would have renounc
all claim to your hand. But, Blancl
how | loved you the first hour ! sa
you. And did ! not judge you rigl
ly? Had you met me in my re
character and name, would not 20
heart have been steeled against Inc
Blanche smiled, and silently clasp
the hand that held her own.
docs Clara know 7" she whispere
No-only Cameron-we have be-
friends for many years. He is doul
less telling her now, but she was VIII
ly unsnspicious.
Suddenly with a mirthful To-
Blanche asked,
II / hod run away with Norwoo
what would you have thought of me
"You could not even then have {
capped your vow," was the reply. "B
truly, Blanche, loved You better
your high sense Of honor. only
GREETED the pain you SUFFERED
now"
"All is we'll that ends WE'LL" s;
Blanche, .joyously.
At the end of the hour the door v
opened, and Clara, smiling and "
dering, appeared, followed by
Cameron, whose grave face bctra,
not in the least the part he had tax
CIa,a had filed har hands with " IA