The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-08-30

either! How hurt one, when both were !
so dear?
"Arnette. Jaleph! why ask me to
choose? Are we not happy? So let Us
remain"
The young men looked in each others |
saddened eyes, and felt that it could be so
no longer. The happy time had passed |
As the group stood, handin-hand, in
the glow of sunset, the mother Of lamar
came, in her sweet, matronly dignity, to
greet them.
"What is this, my children?" she asked
in alarm, as she saw their sorrowful faces
and her daughters falling tears.
"Dear mother" cried lamar, chow can
| choose between those | love-"
The mother smiled, but the smile was
not free from sadness.
"My daughter" she replied, ''there
must be one whom we love above all 9th
crs."
"Mother, MOTHER" said the poor girl, as
she buried her face in her bosom, "both
have been SO kind, so noble, SO loving to
me all my life, how can [ hurt one or the
other?"
Again the sad smile
"Comc with me, my daughter; you, my
OhtioISh, ~. Ia SCHSi u"Jo IdLidA SbdAi
answer you"
They kissed the mothers hand held out
to them. They looked tcndcrly at the
weeping girl, and walked away, hand-in-
| hand. There was no rancor or jealousy
in their noble hearts. 1t is true each one
felt that the happiness of his life was at
stake. TO fight for the possession Of the
object of their love, however, was mode
of settling their rival pretensions left to
the darkness and ferocity of succeeding
ages, when the earth should be stained
with crime and blood.
Annette and Jaleph were together, as
ever, in their light labors and their manly
pastimcs. Two days had passed, and they
were swimming in the river. Whether
exhausted by exercise or weakened by
emotion, Jaleph could not swim with his
usual strength. Soon his golden locks
were seen to sink beneath the waves. His
sinewy arms grew powerless. y cry from
the shore alarmed Annette. lie looked
for his cousin, and the next moment he
plunged beneath the surface. In a few
moments he bore him to the shore, where
he soon recovered.
Again, they were hunting the leopard
in the mountains Jalcph fell, and the wild
beast sprang upon him The lance of
Annette pierced the fierce animals heart,
and saved his rival from death.
The seventh day approached. Neither
had spoken to lamar They had but seen
her at distance. Each had rcfraincd
from every offering or sign Of love. Their
loyal hearts would not permit them to take
advantage Of each other.
On the eve of the seventh day, they
met in the assembly that gathered to pre-
pare the morrow's festival.
lamar had decided Her heart, qucs-
toned in solitude, declared for the golden
haired musician. But her love and pity
for Annette, her appreciation Of his noble
qualities, and her thankfulncss to him for
twice saving the life of her chosen one
made her look at him with such look OF
admiration and gratitude, that Jaleph's
heart sank within him. He went forth
and wcpt.
1t seemed plain to him that the-question
of his life was decided. He would not
wait for the morrow Revealing his plan
to one faithful friend, We went forth in the
darkness, and bade adieu to the happy
valley.
I
/ paired to the lovely cottage Of lamar
She was pale, but more than ever beauti
} full AS she saw Annette, she looked
round for his cousin. She grew paler a:
he came not, and was nowhere to be seen
1t was the appointed hour. Annette, too
looked round, with visible concern.
"Arncttc," said the mother, my daugh
, ter has decided. She will give her hanC
: to him her heart hath chosen. But whcr'
is Jaleph ?"
+ 81 know not ~
.'Iou know not He should be here
, What has become of him Where is he :.
5 "Alas, | know notn' said the hcroi
e youth, erievcd to the heart with the sus
c picion which these quick questions con
5 vcyed.
c ssMother." cried the pale and trcmblin:
girl, abe not unjust to Annette. Twic
4 has he saved the life OF Jaleph since W
a last met"
Y The confident of ,Jaleph came, and whis
: pered lamar that her lover had gone
The roses that had left her checks no'
l., fled from her lips; she sank fainting o.
c the fowery sod.
eWhat is all this 2" cried Annette.
c He was told that Jaleph had fled, an
Y why. And he knew, all too well, that h
v who had fed from his fate iespairinGl
d was the chosen love Of the beautiful Ia