Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-04-05

light; old hopes ana ASPIRATIONS came EeSu
to my memory from the long years that
were gone; sweet tones that touched my
heart in those days seemed now to echo
family In my ears; bright looks and sunny
smiles that had long been quenched in the
grave came vividly TO the minds eye.
1t was growing late, but still Arthur
slept. The moon rose above the Brecon
Beacons, and shone full upon the exquisite
landscape, and into the apartment where
we sat. l went to the window and looked
out on the beautiful scene. Then went
back again to nv chair by the fireside. 1
had not been sitting long, when it struck
me that faint and unusual shadow seemed
to be cast across the room from the dircc
ton of the window. Twas almost asleep.
as we'll as my mpanion, and did not at
first turn round to notice it; but in a min
ute or two recalled my faculties from the
abysses of my reveries, and glanced di-
rectly toward the window. The object,
whatever it was that had obstructed the
moonlight, vanished instantly; but it ap-
peared 10 me, in the indistinct light and
the momentary glance caught, to be the
face of female. So sudden was the dis
appearance from the window, and so shad-
owy were my recollections Of the features,
that I fancied for some time it could not
have been reality-that Lad been
dreaming, or had conjured up the sweet
phantom from some faint memories of the
past. Eyes, yes," / muttered to myself,
''iL could only have been my fancY."-
Supposing it to have been a woman, what
motive, what object could she have in
standing motionless at window, gazing
at two travellers? But again, l fancied it
might be some gypsy or vagrant who had
been Watching our motions, and who had
only left us to give warming to her COM
panions, who would probably rob us on
our way home. Thus, giving way to
host of conjectures, it only now occurred
to me TO 90 round to the back of the house,
and see if any one was concealed there
With this view, and without awaking my
com panion, sought the waiter of the inn,
and told him my suspicious. But he did
not at all enter into my view of the case,
assuring me that he had not seen gypsy
in the neighborhood for years, and was un-
willing to assist me in the search l had
suggested; but, as was positive. he ac-
companied me to the rear of the premises,
and we searched carefully in every direc-
tion-- tables, outhouses, in fact no spot
that could have afforded hiding place for
y human being was left. But neither
gipsy- woman, nor any other, could we
discover.
Coming back to- the room l had left, l
found my friend had Just awoke.
Il have had very strange dream" " said
he, in a sad tone of voice; Il have dreamed
of face that l shall probably never see
again, for the owner of it is many hundred
miles from England at this moment
"And yet" continued he, in an altered
voice from what 1 had ever heard him
speak before, al could almost wish to see
1t again. if only for moment"
AS he uttered these words, l almost
started from my chair. ''It is female
face you refer to- said l.
GLOW do you know that?'' he asked.
I thought should now draw from him
the secret that weighed upon his mind, and
therefore told him, as briefly as possible,
the strange apparition (If such it was) 1
had seen AT the window.
This narration seemed greatly to affect
him, but, contrary to my expectations, in
stead of unbur'lening himself to me, he
was evidently not sufficiently acquainted
with my character to give me his entire
confidence. So, contenting himself with
making few hasty remarks as TO the ex-
traordinary fact that we should both have
the same tancies, he dismissed the subject,
and proposed that we should walk on
home.
Day after day passed away, and my
companion was still dull and cheerless.
We wandered daily amongst the most
beautiful scenery, but how cold the beau
ties of nature meet the eye, if the heart is
i'll at easel Once, as we loitered through
a delicious valley at the close of the day,
the sound of horn came softly to us from
a distance. "Ah." said my companion,
stopping and listening intently. II have
heard that melody a hundred times before,
but never has it possessed such a magical
influence as now.' Tears rolled down his
cheeks. Music is indeed wondrous en-
chantment-the same melody lighting up
the soul of one with JOY and gladness, while
to anothe! it briugs only the most melan-
choly reflections.
secret sorrow?' l said to Arthur; "it
sured ask it from no idle curiosity
81 am uncertain how far you can sym
pathize with me-" said he, s'and my sor-
row is not of nature to be told, unless /
could gain in return for my confidence
counsel and suggestions for the FUTURE
could not promise him counsel, not
knowing how far his trouble might be
within my experience; but 1 pressed him
earnestly for his confidence, as / could
plainly see how wretched he had lately be-
come.
"This evening, then, you shall know my
history" said he; and for short time we
parted.
|
When the evening came we seated our
selves by the fireside. Arthur began his
story with an air of constraint and diff