Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-09-15


the language of that silent careas
She loved Richard; but, with all tn
fulIness Of her angelic nature, sh
pitied me. She would be nay sister
! No word was spoken byeeither Q
us. We went out Of the church ant
went home, under the night and tn
trees. a} q
Soon after this. Richard was OBJ
liged to leave Us for two or thre,
weeks, on some business for my faith
er. ! did not know whether be ha(
/, declared his love previous to his de
parture. l watched Leona's voice
jealously for signs of sorrow; but i
was clear, and full of music as ever
Indeed, l thought it more joyous
than ever. l said to myself, show
certain she must be of his love, to
bear his absence so calmly! The
Joy of knowing that he is her own
forever, makes her insensible to sor.
row."
Oh. how kind she was to me du.
ring those two weeks. 1t was al
most like the old days before Rich.
ard came, save that barbed arrow
was rank lipg IN my heart. The un-
conscious hope | had cherished in
other days could never come back a.
gain.
At last the time came for Rich
ards return. Leona was with US.
Frankly, as one who had nothing to
conceal, she talked of the pleasure
there would be in having him back
again. At noon be came. With
eager step he entered the room--but
bis voice tremblea when he spoke to
Leona. / could only tell by that to.
ken how his heart thrilled to be once
more 5y her side. She Was not de-
monstrative. The voice With which
she replied to his greeting was very
quiet; but l bad never known Rich
ards manner SO eager, so restless as
that afternoon.
In the evening We three were
alone in the long parlor. | sat
at one end among the shadows.
Richard and Leona were at the other,
where the moon-for / heard them
talk Of it-shone in at the open
window. Perhaps Richard thought
| could not hear, or that | slept.
He did not know what second
sight hearing was to the blind.
Not a murmur, not qoiver Of
their voices escaped me. 1t seems
that he had never told ber Of his
love before. He poured it forth
now with passionate, ,fervid eloquence.
/ listened breathless for her answer.
| held tight to the chair where |
was sitting; / commanded every
nerve to do its duty; baGe my
selfcontrol to be vigilant at its post;
/ would bear the torture without
a moan; / waited to hear her love.
Her voice fell on my ear. Hush,
rebellious heart! --thou hadst no
business to throb so wildly!
81 cannot" she says; "oh. can
not! | thought you knew Il thought
you must have known And here
the tender, troubled voice breaks up
into pitiful sobs as she beseeehes
him to leave her-only to leave her;
Richard makes no attempt to COM
fort her. hear him 60 out. Then
| cross the room-l kneel at her;
feet-I tell her ! have heard all,
and then a mad impulse seizes me.
, l pour out az her feet the libation
of my love! | cannot help it.
Blind. and poor, and helpless as /
was | had dared to love her. i
knew she could never return it.
But, when / heard ber grieve, /
longed so to comfort her,. / wanted
her to know how gladly / would
die 20 give her peace.
Oh! how can tell the story!
She did not spurn me! Once more
in the darkness, her tender arms
we're laid about my neck. Fol
The first time l felt upon my Ere-
head the kisses of her fresh, pure
lips. Her werds were solemn and
earnest: "Do not die for me-
Live! live. dear Alien! and if you
love me, let me be your wife.
When our betrothal was made
known, there was a struggle in, my
brothers heart. He loved me; he
strove to rejoice in my happiness,
but be could not stay to witness it.
l who knew Leona's worth, did not
blame him. He left home the next