The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-11-12
OLIVIA RAYMOND.


sad, after the excitement Of the evening"
The prize declamations and essays had beer
read and delivered, and the prizes awarded
Then followed the levee, and the parting
from near and dear friends, with whom
had been climbing the rugged hill of knowl.
edge, many of whom should, probably,
never meet again; for l was to return to
school no more.
sat down on q low seat, near the window
not wishing to retire until the arrival Of my
chum, Olivia Raymond. And now, while
am uotvery patiently waiting for her, will
give you chance, gentle reader, to make
her acquaintance.
Olivia Raymond was an orphan. She had
entered the school at the same time with
myself, three years before, and during all
that time we bad shared the same room
She was a glorious creature. | have seen
many handsome women, but never one tina,
equalled her. Twill not attempt to describe
her, for could not do her Justice. She
was the belle Of the school, and bit Of q
tirt, and during the term her company was
very much sought after. Almost every
term she had new lover, but the Spring
before she had made the acquaintance of a
wealthy, talented and fascinating young
lawyer, Clarence Irving, and now they were
engaged.
| was thinking of them, a. sat there
alone. "Clarence is too bad" said | to
myself, che keeps Olivia altogether too
close" He had hardly allowed her to leave
his side the whole evening, and knew he
was mortaly jealous if she spoke to another
gentleman. l could not bear it il was in
her place; bu, she seemed happy. God
z ant she may be so.
just then the door burst open, and the
object of my thoughts ran in, and threw
herself upon the floor, at my feet, and laid
her head upon my lap. saw her beautiful
black curls were wet with the dew, and her
white dress uuch solid, and she look ed al
together wretch.d.
"What is it p l exclaimed. "What has
happened?
"Stop," she cried, "don't speak to me
now will tell you nil by .and-by."
knew her too we'll to question her fur
ther, then, and after q while she broke
out
III wish was dead! 1wish could die
this minute don't know what was born
for am miserable, and always was |
never loved anything but that it was taken
from me it has a,ways been so; and now,
inst as the sweet cup Of happiness was held
to my lips, the demon jealousy must dash it
to the ground"
"What is it ?" said l, "Come tsIl me all
about it,"
She sat up, and sweeping the damp curls
back from her face, she said
81 must tell some one, and you are all the
friend have now. You know how close
Clarence has kept me all summer, and how
have not firted one bit, and have not to-
night. lie has been in very pleasant mood
all the evening, and as attentive as usual,
- you must know, until he went down af-
ter my shawl. When he came back saw
there was cloud on his brow, but | said
nothing about it. Just as we were CO.
ing out several of the scholars came to say
'good-bye,' and Charlie Wells among the
rest. (You know | mittened him last win
ter, md really believe the poor fellow felt
badly about it.) shook hands with them
all, and streak of my old spirit coming
over me, kissed Charlie-there was no
harm in it, it was all for fun, wished had
kissed them all, as | have always before
but to 60 on when We went out glanced
at Clarence's face. It was as black as a
thunder cloud. asked him if that was his
married face, just to give me a look at it :;
if so, would be excused. He did not deign
to answer me, but commenced upon the sub
ject that was just then top most in bis mind g,
and went on in a not very gentle manner
Come to find out, when he was down stairs
Charlie Wells showed him my picture. sent
it, by him, to his sister Kate, and Charlie,
being full Of fun. and wishing to bother the
devoted lover a little, had represented that
gave it to him. Clarence was mad enongh
before, and the kiss put on the climax, |
tried to explain to him, but he would not
hear an explanation. Oh, have loved him
wildly, madly as it is almost sin for any
woman to love and now have my reward.
And so are all rewarded, who take to
an idol " SAID she, passionate
ly.
"And you parted in anger 20
eyes," said she, sadly, sand yet I cam
not think that was to blame it was all a
joke, but he would not see it so."
'lt will all be settled in the morning."
suggested.
"Indeed, it will not ~ said she tartly, 81
have suffered deeply in the last few hours !;
he shall have chance to suffer much. |
know he loved me, but he spurned nv love.
lie shall repent it! shall start the day af
ter tomorrow for New Orleans with Mr..
Lavard. He wishes very much for me to
60 as governess for his two daughters"
''But you refused"
S.V L,t I aorl h,p, vrn,A 20 ho
morning that have changed my mind.
have no preparations to make; my trunks
are packed, and can 60 there, as well as to
W. My cross aunt will not want to
see me now. When she thought was soon
to be the bride of the wealthy Mr.. Irving,
was welcome for short time, but now
should be burden. am able to earn nv
own living, and will do so. But 20 to bed,
now," she said, imperitively, eve have
both long journey to take in the morn
ing"
We parted in the morning, she for the dis
tant south, and for my pleasant country
home, where kind and loving hearts awaited
me.
1t was over yesr since my parting with
Olivia at the old academy. In that time
had heard from her occasionally, but her
letters were unlike her former self. She
was not the frank, conGding girl of yore.-
| learnt from her letters that Mr.. Layard,
her employer, was very wealthy, and that
she saw great deal of company. She new
er mentioned Clarence, and although Of
ten questioned her concerning him, never
got an answer.
1t was winter. The cold wind whistled,
and the snow lay piled about my northern
home, but was in the "Sunny South" at
gay New Orleans, with merry party Of
friends. on my wedding tour. l had called,
on my first arrival in the city, Mt the resi-
dence of Mr.. Layard, Olivia's employer ;
but the family was absent several miles dis
tant in the country. returned to my ten
porary home sad and detected. had an
ticlpated so much pleasure in meeting my
darling friend, and now to be disappointed,
it was too bad.
1t was several evenings after. Our party
were at friendly ball, given by Mrs: Nor
ton, a lady whose acquaintance we had made
the previous summer at Saratoga. l stood
in little bower-like recess watching the
company, when my brother, who stood near
exclaimed
''ls not that your friend Olivia ?"
looked in the direction indicated. Yes
it was indeed she, and leaning on tho arm
tDV 1toh hA6