Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-09-01

epIstIes, whose every burning line becam I
s'ereotyped upon my brain, excited so
more vivid glow the fame within my
breast. and gave increased fervor to my
passionate idolatry. "s
Still l was not so occupied with self
to prevent my seeing that the health oi
my sweet cousin was not as formerly
She made no complaint, uttered no moan,
but often found her reclining at an hour
when she used to be all activity. Her
complexion never ruddy, was becoming
pale and transparent, and her light form
more attenuated, while her movements
were languid and spirits 6tfaI. Charlotte
was evidently fading. her mother bss died
Of pn'matory disease, the seeds of which
might have been transmitted to this her
only daughter. The idea brought alarm +;
and my danger, however, was spprehend-
ed. Her constitution was not strong the
physician said, aud she would always re-
quire careful treatment /; but there was no
indications Of inherent disease traceabe in
her system. Change of air and mineral
baths were recommended, TO remove the
present debility and was invited to ac
company her to the Virginia springs.
look back now to that brief season.
spent in gay valley Of the Blue Ridge,
as to sweet and tranquil dream enjoyed
before the chills and tempests Of winter
day. Owing to my useless habit of es i.
chewing worldly society, we lived apar.
from the fashionable throng that compps-
ed the company at the spring; but Char
lotte and we're society enough for each
other We walked, rode and bathed toge,b
er, and upon every subject, but the one.
we thought and felt in common. l had
appreciated her lovely and delicate mind {;
but now that was always with her, no
object to distract or intervene, l entered
more fully its inner nature, and oh how
blest thought that man who should en-.
joy her life companionshp, while won
dered that he had not tried to retain her
purity, and thus have rendered himself
worthy of her fathers appreciation.
We returned to Baltimore. Charlotte's s
health was much improved and was De
sirous to return, as letter from Mr.. Kin
lock had informed me that his vessel was
now at Norfolk, and he would get leave of
absence 4or few days to visit me.
He came, and my poor errins heart re-
joiced that my mother or husband were
not too pious to countenance my gallant
sailor. knew that. had my father lived,
my choice would rot have been sanctioned:
but my rebellious spirit was not going to
yield to dead parents wishes; nay,
even felt that, were he living, | should
have spurned his wise control, and rushed
on in my own wild course.
The days quickly sped, though each
one was an age Of happiness; and when
the parting hour arrived, it seemed as if
my very life was to be torn away, aud only
my trembling. aching frame left behind.
| 1t was uncertain when we should next
meet; and some dark foreboding was
mingled with he parting pain. | stood
beside my lover, and the stream in nv
veins seemed frozen. scarcely felt as he
placed ricg Oh the finger of my cold,
passive haLd, and then, folding his arms
around me, pressed kiss after kiss upon
my brow, cheek and lips, murmuriug -
Mine-mine own-forever.'
He was gone. The boat which was to
take him to Norfolk would start in two
hours, and the interim he must spend in
business connected with the service. Rest
less and wretched, knew not what 10 do
| could not yet meet the inquiries OF my
mother; 50, putting on my bonnet and
shawl, | went around to Charlotte.
entered, as usual, without ceremony,
and ran up to her own room. She was
not there; but, knowing that she would
soon come, took seat to await her, A
few moments | sat, listening to the beat
ing OF my heart, then raised my eyes. and
looked round for something to divert my
attention. Her bird was singing in the
open window; her pretty paintings hung
on the wall; her work lay on the table
near; everything spoke Of a calm life, and
sweet, soft love, SO different from the
wild passion now tbrobbing within my
bosom.
But. what do see note half hidden
beneath piece Of embroidery in her work
basket. the superscription Of which is 10
well known hand. know not why. for
was always punctilious in points of honor,
/ seized the note, opened and read it. 1t
was brief. l can repeat j, it ran thus:
"DEAR CHAKLorrE--You may hear cf
my being in town, and wonder at not see
ing me: but have come upon an adn,i-
rally errand, have only few hours to stay,
and nannot possibly spare time for meet
ing, ! know your gentle heart vii! excuse
your faithful E.K."
Like flood Of lightning on midnight
| darkness, as sudden and AS vivid, came
the rush Of understanding to my startled
mind. I saw my love, my idol. my be.
trothed, the aiiianced Of another, and that
other, my dearest FREUD, the sister Of my
soul. remembered with anguish that
upon this subject We had exchanged no
confidence. she had never brssthed the
name of her lover, | had never uttered
that Of mine. We had assisted in our own