The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-04-24

ing back, with slight blush, she exclaimed:
''Why, you impudent fellow; don't think you have
much dignity it is true; but suppose must forgive
you she continued, with smile, ''as have not
you for so long time. But take hereafter,
Mr. Alfred how you repeat such practical tokens Of
friendship YOU may suffer the penalty of boxedears
81 would willingly do that, replied, for such de-
lghtful privilege"
"But you have not told me when you returned?" she
asked, apparently taking notice of my last remark.
''Well, then" answered. t'sit down upon the sofa
and will give you my history from the time left to
the present.
'But fear all that will occupy too much of my pre-
cious time she replied But nevertheless sheaccepted
the seat offered and half hour passed by in pleasant
conversation. in dread lest some one would inter
rupt this delightful tee before could broach the
subject which lay nearest my heart. Atlength found
opportunity to say
81 have heard strange news Miss Clifford, since my
return"
Have you?" she laconically replied.
eyes Iresponded 81 hear that you are to be married
in short time"
80 they say" she answered, with sad smile
saw the saddened change in her manner since / had
mentioned the subject and it gave encouragement
Throwing off my reserve arose, and taking my seat by
her side, said
''And Marian, do you love the man you are going to
wed?"
She started back as if viper had stung her.
Il do not think you have the right to ask she said
II have not the right to ask! Oh, Marian, could you
know the misery the announcement Of your coming
nuptals has given me, you would not say that took
her hand she did not resist 1t seemed aspel
had her. she sat gazing intently the floor
continued Mariana forgive me, pray if | say one
word which would not fall pleasantly the ear of one
who is betrothed to anothhr Mariana, l have loved
you deeply it your sweet face that drew me home
was the happiness | anticipated in the future that
cheercd my wanderings. Oh, tell me- Marian, is this
loveretuned my life to be forevermore darkened
Leaning forward and casping her hands her face
while the tears forced their way through her ngerss
exclaimed:
"Alfrad is this true-do you really love me--haye
you always loved me?7
''Yes, sincerely love you-baye always loved you
and you alone Tell me- Marian is this love returned?
ooh Alfred said she, 81 do indeed love YOU; you
have been part of my existence. Oh why did you
not tell me of this love before YOU went away? But
now it is too late you doomed to spend sorrOwng
life-ro you may yet find to love you dearly, and
pass a happy life; but Lob, what of me? The thought
nearly drives mad. will be compelled to live with
an unloved husband and bury. this sorrow from his
jealous eye"
heard not the concluding words of this sentence; |
only heard that she loved me- and ioyfuy exclaimed:
"Then, Marian, my love is returned, and passion
atey casped her in my and again and again kissed
those sobbng lips.
ooh stop stop Alfred" she cried the words strug-
Cling between her heavy sobs and my passionate kisses;
"do not make my misery deeper by the remembrance
of this bIissful moment, for can never be yours"
Never be mine Mariann exclaimed as just then
realised the fearful meaning Of those words.
No Alfred | can never be yours, though you alone
can hold my heartmy hand is piighted to another"
"Aud will he accept the hand without the heart? He
surely will not. Oh Marian, cannot will not give
you up He must he shall resign you to me-"
"Alfred," she said, approaching and lying her hand
on my breast and gazing imploringy through her tears
q pray you for the love you bear to me- never let
our love be known-neyer let Mr. Norton know of this
scene for would surely break his heart if he knew my
love was not his he madly loves mel have prom
ised to be his wife, and l can crush so noble
heart Alfred, we might once have been happy, bu
now it is too late"
The door softly opened and some one entered.
looked mp and there stood Mr. Norton. Ny blood rost
high as | saw the man who had robbed of thar
life turned, but his pale distressed countenanct
checked my words of wrath. lie stood there in silence
looking more like a spectre than human being IL
raised his hand and seeming to brush something from
before his eyes he said:
NO. Marian it is not too late Then, as if remen
bering his unexpected interruption, he paused for
ment and continued: II entreat you forgive me 70
this intrusion. heard only few moments ago tha
my old friend and playmate had returned and Ihastene
! to sec him. | did not expect this scene; l knew no
Marian, that you were here, but STILL am glad hav
come Take her, Alfred; you have her heart hav
no right to lawful claim her l love her too deepl
to wreck her happiness by having her wed with me-"
sprang to his side, and grasping his hand said
'My dear friend how can | ever repay Won for this
know it has cost you dear but your noble, sefdenyn!
/ love has made me happy man"
eyes, Alfred" he replied 't has cost me dear
know not but it may bring me to the grave. But nov
have resigned her to you-1ove her-dea gently will
her for my sake Ny feelings will not allow 50,
more-farewell. know not when NAV meet again
And the door closed upon his retreatng figure.
He need not have given me this admonition had h
known how well loved her.
Marians bridal day not changed. Wewere mar
red on the day that she had appointed to wed Mr.
Norton But it was quite happy day to what she ex
pected to be when she gave her consent its appoint
ment I, indeed, felt proud and happy as stood b
the side of the only being had wished to call wife, ,an
received the congratulations Of our friends.
Fanny was among the first who came forward to oie
their greetings; and after kissing Marian and warm
welcoming her as a sister, she looked at mischiev
ously and said:
brother, don't you think this room is oppressvel
warm?"
gave her sly look, and she ran away with merr
laugh
do not think the blow killed Mr. Norton, for he wa
married few years after and is now living happily wit
his family ana suppose at least hope, that he ha
forgotten his old love
y