The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-02-15

'orite to her dreams, while we glance at her
ar surroundings.
Agnes and Alice Bertrand, left orphans at
IN early oge, became the occupants of the
heart and home Of their guardian, their faith
er's brother, who, os far as possible, supplied
The loss of parents, and lavished upon them
every indulgence which money and affection
could suggest. Alice was two years the old
est, and was already an established favorite
in society when her sister,, at the age OF
eighteen, was introduced TO the world as
recipient of its homage. 1t was on her pre-
night that she first met Ralph
Howard, and that night she learn the mys-
terry which through all her girlish years she
had been vainly trying to solve, that all true
life is love-. and that all the love which could
bless her lite lay in the soul Of him whose
eurnest eyes looked so entrancingIy into her
own. And from the moment that enrapiured
gaze was returned, R lph Howard knew tn It
upon his destiny had risen a star whose
brightness eternity could not ex'in4uish.
He was on onIy son Of an aristocrntic bu'
Jecayed family OF Eng li.h descent, the pos
SCISSOR of the most refined moral and socin
attributes, mental abilities which promised
eminence, and these, c. mbined with distin
euished personal attractions, gave him Br
exalted position in the most exclusive cir
cles. But his collegiate course and years
travel in Europe had exhausted the remnant
of his patrimony, and ut twen'y-three he
found himself launched upon the tide OF busy
Iife-wirh no helm but his own energy to guide
him through its breakers. But to youth and
health that is all sufficient, and RAJ ph How
ard was not one to sit down idly and sigt
over exhausted fortunes. To resolve was tC
act, whatever consequences the act nigh
involve. California was beginning to de-
velop its untold treasures, and to this liant
of promise he determined to direct his steps
One wish, one hope, and one reward in tn
far off distant ever impelling him onward.
Agnes Bertrand had stolen apart from
merry group, and was pucking roses in tn
garden, when Ralph joined her, upon tn
evening before his departure. He we'll kne'
that she would be there, and to avoid obser
vation, entered the garden by little gate j
the hedge equally concealed from the piozz
and the street. .
"Mss Bertrand, Agnes !"
With joyous bound, and smile, born
the hearts unchecked gladness, she was l
his side, and in an instant more her whit
hand was resting quietly in his own.
"Agnes, am come to say good by"-th
rich voice trembIed-"a word never freight
ed with such agony as now."
$50 soon l thought it would not be ft
some days yet"
$50 soon. At this hour to morrow shs
be far on my lonely way, lighted only by tn
stars of memory and hope. Agnes, | nee
not tell you how delightful have been thes
few months of unrestricted intercourse
need not tell you that every pulse of n
heart is silent, sacred offering to you.-
You have OWNED it already, and now let m
prove my hearts devotion by defeating tt
best years Of my lite to wearisome, wearir
toll, Fortune mas denied me entrance
her fairy haunts, except through the roug
avenue of labor. am poor, and | can w
no woman to poverty, least" "of all Agn
Bertrand f! When I have accumulate
wealth shall return-not beforehand il
find you unchanged, it will be the proude
hour of my life to lay it OF your feet al
n crave your disposal. By all that unites XIII
dred souls, you are mine, Agnes ; but 'h'
bind you by no vow, shall impose no r.
: strant upon your future actions. FoIlo
the dictates of your pure heart aud | -hal
content. III fad you unwedded, my rewa
will be greater than all the hardships 4
interval can IIfiict-if another shall ha
claimed you, my consolation will be fou
in having IsbOred and lived for you--iar
well !" d, .sr e.:.r .
'"Ralph -
But Ralph was beyond rec,ll, and
many. long yeOr to. come that plead
voice might cry in vain. She could
bring him back, and, in the bushing conft
, sion OF her love, intimated that her weaI
would suffice for both she could not ASST
. him that, without the accessories Of hout
I and lands and gold, she could be happy, hi
4 py anywhere with him. He was gone, a
only the wild anguish in her heart. the bul
ing kiss upon her forehead, and the wh
rose, gemmed with tears aud twined an
4, her tresses, told her that those hurried n
ments were not fearful ditting dream.
Ten years-in which she had received
4 word of love, no token of RENE mbrance--h
, glided like 'veiled nuns into the mysterit
! cloieters of the past, and Ralph Howard "
Z returning to his native country, laden W
! wealth and honors. But they would l
\ meet. where they had parted Alice Bertrt
) had married and removed to one Of
:. Western citiess accompanied by her sist
!, who shared equally the refiDements and e
gances Of her luxurious home, for VIII
/. benefit the unlimited confidence and love
!. Agnes were the grateful return. Never
:, sisters answer SO truly and beautifully
: poetic symbol Of ''two cherries upon q
stem, two souls with but one BREATH" as
I these lovely representatives Of the anci'
4 and revered house Of Bertrand, The fai