The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-03-21

roar of the turbid stream and the masses {
floating timber hurried along by the swift cul
rent :
There was sunshine, too, in the %trustin
:; heart of cousin Ruth, for the good doctor, he
father, had brought from tho post oHce a fol
, NAL little note from Horace, stating that, il
|. consideration of her displeasure, if she woul
: grant.him upon his return theeboon she ha
e denied him at parting, he would brave all tn
adverse fates extant, and be with her tina
All day the name of Horace was upon he
tongue. Busily she piled her needle, weaving
in the bright blue forget-me-nots upon tn
purple ground of the velvet slippers-peace
offerings for Horace upon his return. I ?
at was so wrong of me Annie" she would
say, "to behave so imperiously to Horace
He had so often told me that my unwaverine
confidence in him endeared me to him, more
than all the rest. Oh, the laggard moments
how slowly they pass-I am SO impatient to
acknowledge my fault, and convince him that
l appreciate his noble worth. Let US 60 down
to the old ash tree, Annie, and perhaps we
may hear the sound of Harry's hoofs- as he
crosses the little bridge"
l humored my cousins wish, for there was
a something depressing my heart of which l
dared not speak-a half~-recognized foreboding
of i'll. The sun was setting g~loriously as we
neared the stately ash, under whose broad
shadow We three had so often sat, chatting in
the very recklessness of joy Alas! its days
of pride was passed. I was riven to the heart
by the lightning's unerring boltl One half
standing eject waved its blighted branches
menacingly; the other lay prone upon the
earth
A faint shudder ran through Ruth's limbs
as she stood by the wreck of her old favorite.
CHANGING towards the stream, the color forsook
her cheeks, her large eyes dilated; and, cold
and rigid as marble, she raised her finger and
pointed to a huge tangled mass Of interlacing
branches that were rising and falling in the
rushing whirlpool of waters. I followed the
direction, of her eyes, my. blood, congealing
with an indefnable lorror; but l could discern
nothing to excite alarm. ~ ~
''What? what, Ruth ?" I eagerly exclaimed,
claspiDg her quivering form in my arms.
"Oh, Annie" she said, as the color came
fairly back to her still writhing lips, NJ thought
I saw-but it is too horrible-help me to dis
pei the dreadful illusion! Let US return. 1 can
not remain here. Let us hasten home"
l did not urge her to tell me the cause of
her alarm. Hurrying through the gathering
shadows, we spoke no word until we reached
the house. 1t needed all the cheerful aspect
of the comfortable little tea room, with its ge-
NAL inmates, to restore composure, both to
Ruth and myself. 5s4f
AS the evening wore on, my uncle noticed
restlessness and asked, in his abrupt
"Whom are you expecting, Ruth? Not
my daughter. He, surely, would not
De such a madcap as to attempt crossing the
with the stream running at such a fear
rate. The waters are subsi1ing, and by
o. morroE, perhaps, he will find the under
aking a little less dangerous: Keep up a
bout ~ lonit falo trn,b1a IN ipfaroct
Such a funny face as yours was never meant to
,e clouded by sadness. Come into my Office,
7ou and Annie, and see if 1 cannot cheer you
Up a little" I
We followed the dear old man. He unlock
ID his private desk and took therefrom two
jewel cases.
'See here !" he said, as he pushed back the
pring. "what a simpleton my two spoiled pets
make of me. Hartman insisted upon my pur-
;hasing these when [ was in New York, three
months ago, as bridal presents for you both
now, you saucy rogues," he continued, as we
fell into ~ecstacies of admiration over the
xquisite pearl ornaments, necklaces. bracelets
nd brooches verify believe you would sell
ell me, if you were offered such gimcracks in
xchange. If you don't promise 20 value my
resent before all others, l will pull the ears of
GU both. You see, Annie, since you ar! not
} have a husband but are to stay and tyran-
ize over me, after this ungrateful girl leaves
lie, I am going to bind you by a chain of
earls; if that won't keep you in check, why, ,
will sell you to the first bidder, and think it ,
happy radiance" !,
We half smothered him with kisses and
hanks, and betook ourselves to our room to {
y the effect of our beautiful gifts. Very
,vely the white pearls looked on Ruth's scarce ,
: less snowy throat; but she laid them aside l
nd turned to the window, looking lingeringly g
the clear, cloudless moon, and thinking of !
lie morrow. We chatted hopefully until the I
light wore on, and [ knew by Ruth's regular {
that she slept. / was restless; dark I
loughts kept surging over me, which, spite S
f a ~resolute will, L could notsubdue. Finally
light slumber was stealing over my senses, {
hen I was startled by a sudden ring of the
bell. My cousin Henry slept in the add
lining room, and in a few. minutes / heard
y uncle's voice calling to him in a low, sup. /
ressed tone. 1 sprang from my bed and stood t
the door listening.
"Henry! Henry, my son." he said, tfget up u
uickly, for Gods sake! Horace is drowned" t
1 laid my hand upon MY heart-my wild, t
eating heart-for even then came a thought a
the silent sleeper, breathing so calmly under C
lie very sound of the appalling words that
ould fall upon her ear like the crash Of a j
lunderbelt. Through an inexplicable whirl
f confused thought, 1 heard Henry bewilder- s
l EXPLANATIONS, as his father said sadly, sect C
p quietly, my son. and do not disturb those l
children" a
Henry' cautious step passing by oardoor q
nd descending the stairs. Then, silently as {
ould, L passed through the outer door and c
;ood at the landing of the stair till they all I
ad gone, and L hearl my uncle closing the S
cor as he re-entered the house. Like a spirit
glided down, and awaited him in the hail. G
lie came forward holding the lampin his hand,
ne light falling upon his white hair and face t
trangely compressed. At sight of me he c
tarted, then set down the lamp and took me T
4 his arms. !
I could not weep-only look at him with a
eseeching eagerness in my eyes, which he I
eadIy understood. !