St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-07-28
NUMBER 30.

ment, as coming toward hef, he StOOu
near her and looked earnestly down
upon her.
That was my original intcntion,'
was his reply, but-you did not go,
Miss llucston"
"And could that small circum-
stance affect your pleasure 2" she an
swered, blushing, and hardly knowing
what she said.
at was the all in ALL" was his
quick reply, in a low, but eager tone
then sitting down by her side, he
continued rapidly and with flush Oh
his manly face,
"You have been everything to me
ever since we first spoke together,
and have learned that without you
there is no pleasurc--l know too we'll
that all the future cannot change
my feelings-lct me ask you--"
"No, no !" interrupted Blanche,
with burning checks, " it is not for
me to hear you-do not speak one
word like that to me J"
"Why not ?" he asked" tell me
why-do you distrust me do you
think I would feign a love do not
feel?r
"I know you are the soul of honor
and TRUTH" murmurcd poor Blanche,
"but let there be silence between US
i am to be married in two months
from to-day"
For moment not q word was spo-
ken, but the hand which had taken
that of Blanche grasped it suddenly
with such force that she could scarce
ly refrain from crying out. She knew
that Norwood loved her with life
long love, and she knew how deeply
her own heart responded to his.
"And who is to be your husband ?"
he asked, presently, in an altered
voice.
"My cousin, William Hueston, of
Georgia. have never seen him--we
were betrothed in childhood"
"You do not love him."
81 shall marry him. 1t was my
promise to my father in his dying
hour"
"You do not love him. repeated
Norwood, sternIy, "and marriage
"iiilONi pNt
Il am bound to him by sentiment
of honor which is stronger even than
love. That shall make sacrament
Of the sacriiege. Aud implore your
forgiveness, if by word or look have
led you on to speak as You have spo-
KEN
al cannot rcproach YOU" was the
answer. You have avoided me, and
my own ardent feelings needed no
spur. Oh, Blanche, l love you deep
ly, truly-you are mine in spite of
fate. Is it not so? Tell me that you
love me !"
Blanche trembcd, but her sclfpos-
session did not fail her, though SO
sorcly tempted.
al cannot give you the words you
ask sor,n she said, land will not.
They belong only to my plighted hus-
band, and | will not dishonor him, if l
cannot love him.
"You cannot love him! You have
; spoken it !" cried Norwood, passion
) ately. But you cannot make me
believe there is nothing in your heart
, answering to mine. Blanche, | know
the language Of your eye, your cheek
and you are not for him but for me.
| cannot give you wealth, but can
give you unbounded dcvotion-you
shall not regret your choice. Only be
my wife-let me love you, live for
you"
, Two pictures flashed before the
eyes of Blanche Hueston. One was
a splendid mansion, drcary. lovcless
was a warm tiresidc, with those glow
ing, loving eyes upon her, charming
away every shadow, lending their
t glory to every delight.
She hid her face moment, and the
: spell passed by. She remembered
b her sacred vow.
: "Leave me, Norwood" she uttered.
l. "Your love, my own love, shall not
t, make me break my word. Igave my
y sacred promise, and it shall be fulfilled.
Il Leave me and forget me-"
III Norwood rose and stood before her
e a moment with folded arms. al will
t leave YOU" he said, "but mine is no
light passion do not love you less
2 that you sacrifice yourself to your
e sense of duty-no, more, if that were
, possible But cannot remain near
+ you longer that were needless pain.
# Bid me farewell"
e Farewell !" whispered Blanche,
# pale and trembling. He saw her agi-
r tation and spoke quickly.
= "Onc word from you will change
). all. viii you not bid me stay !"
n Farewell " repeated Blanche, more
h firmly, ''may heavens best blessing
i follow you forever y
He bowed and was gone. Blanche
, half faintin@, sought her chamber
, and gave vent to her feelings in q
!, long night of tears.
t At breakfast, the next morning, il
# was announced with surprise and re-
O gret that Mr.. Norwood was gone, and
c more than one eye was fixed curious
G " on Miss Hueston's face. But she
;, had returned to her usual marble com
d posture, and neither pale nor red, she
" BETRAYED no consciousness Of the fire
e quent glances. For few days sht
" Joined all the pleasure parties an(
danced or sung as pleased them best
T. but the charm had vanished, and sicl
% of the mockery, she was soon at hom
=. again in her own splendid but desc
!, late house, aud trying TO drown he
q memories by absorbing herself i
= magnificent preparations for the con
a ing bridal.
st The hour, fraught with fate, wa
+, approaching. Clara had come, an
e, Cameron. and other guests from dis
n tance were expected on the morrow
the wedding day. Blanche move
to calmly and proudly around, superb
as tending every arrangement, and n
en- stranger would have dreamed tina
ed there was anything unusual IN tn
marriage about to take place.