Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-05-13


vain, for it surged up to catch the light and
the shadows, which, even in my bitterest mo-
ments, shut my heart against. 1t was a
strange time to me; can you comprehend it,
reader? A time when l denied everything
for fear that was the sweet foundation of a
hope.
Work, work, work.! 2" 1 said again, press
ing my fingers close upon my eyes, and letting
fall the garment on which 1 had been sewing,
"I wish I might die, die! !" My tears fell
thick and fast l wished l might weep my life
away,
Nelly-Nelly, dear, you will weep SO long
that there will be no rainbow after the shower;
instead of the rainbow, there will be dull,
heavy graveness upon everything. Look up,
have something to say to you"
Before the words fell upon my ear I recog-
nized presence near me, a soul that mine leap
ed up in great waves of joy to meet Words
were not wanted to insure me of the presence
of Charles Howard. In a moment the smile
gtahered upon my face and involuntarily / un-
clasped my hands from my eyes to meet the
steadily, penetrating gaze Of the man I loved.
Now, now, Nelly, we have the rainbows! :"
he said, drawing chair, and seating himself
close by my side, and at the same time tossing
carlessly the light airy robe which l was ma
king, upon the table. "Tel me what troubles
YOU
For some reason the bitterness within me
! flowed up to my lips when opened then to
speak.
I am weeping for joy" I said, turning
my head away from him. Is it to be wonder
ed at?"
Not if your heart in its outstretehing can
divine the future" was the answer.
Are 0u Il rre,ehe+, :, ssse I l. x tl.at-sae
speak with such authority
I" 1 judge your future from my OVID heart,
Nelly said he. a will not believe that it
tells me wrongly"
I reached out my hand for my work, with
out replying, as he said this. A determination
rose within me not to listen idly, like pleased
child, to these words, even though they sent
the warm blood dashing over my face, and
quickened to wilderness the pulsation Of my
heart. was poor, dependent sewing girl,
and Charles Howard was rich, proud and of
high family. What knew of the world all
the education 1 could lay claim to, had been
gathered piecemeal; and yet [ was not igno-
in any station-a ma.i who had seen the world
without enter;:s into its busy, bustling ranks,
and from see hg had turned away, weary and
discontented.
From the moment saw him, when he came
to spend the summer with the proud Langdons,
with whom was living, l knew him wholly
and well, as if for years had been permitted to
read his heart as freely as a written SCROLL
People said he was the betrothed husband of
his naughty cousin, Letitia Langdon, and judg-
ing by what l saw daily had no right to dis
pute it, Indeed, 1 thought it very probable;
and with me there was ever this sweet assurance
| I could understand him, appreciate him, as
she could not; could bring by my words a
smile to his lip that she might try in vain to
summon there. He might give her the husks
of his SOUL the outward make believe devotion,
but could see into his inner life, and knew
that not for a moment was her proud, arrogant
face daguerreotyped there. He was by her
side in all the glitter and show of fashionable
society, but he came to me for sympathy when
he was weary and disheartened when the eyes
| of the world were turned for moment from
the worship of its idol.
But the day before the morning on which he
found me weeping, Letitia spoke harshly and
insulting to me; taunted me with my low name
and calling, and with an angry light in her
dark eyes told me if | dared raise my plebean
voice to speak to those far above me, she would
have me turned into the street like beggar
as I was. I have often wondered since how
bore so meekly without retorting her insolent
words; l can not say, unless it was for the
sweet love that had placed me, for the time, far
beyond the reach of her taunts.
"I judged your future by my own heart,
repeated Charles, attempting as he spoke to
draw my work from me again. Oh, Nelly
bid me hope that have not judged wrongly !!
What right had to tremble with delight al
his welcome words What right had the
warm tell-tale bushes to write for his perusa
my secret upon my brow, lip and check?
was poor, and what right had | to wonans
love and Joy? Charles Howard was proud
man-what could he want of love? The
thought was torturing to me- and with quick
spasmodic effort, 1 said to him: Do not dc
not taunt me, Mr.. Howard. l do not deserve
this from you"
"Taunt you, dearest - he said drawing MI
passionately toward him. Taunt you, who
have grown to be nearer than any one else
when came to you this morning to ask yot t.
f be my wife-my wife, ,Nelly?" he repeated.
You can not mean what you are saying"
sobbed. You are rich learned and proud;
am poor, unknown and unloved-I am a sew
ing girl"
"Well, what of that? - he asked, holdin;
5 me at arms length from him, as though l ha'
been the merest child, and looking half sternly
: half reproachfully in my face. d" 1 am wear.
g of pride, pomp and show. 1 ask for the Low
e of your true, womanly heart-a heart that ha
: been kept pure and free from the corrodin
0 dusts of the world. Give, oh, give me hom
y there, Nelly! If there is condescension o
d -either side, it is on yours. You are truer an
+ purer than l am Do not interrupt me.
you were not, your life could not flow on S