Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-09-25

with her both hands clasped in his. and his
dark eyes reading her downcast face"
'' cannot answer you this question:, she
said, in slow and calm tone. Duty for
bids it, Mr.. Graham, and can only say that
wish you well. Go from here and forget
Camerone Southwick, except as a friend, for
she can be nothing more to you
g teptS.--1-ssaeak coldly. Cameroue. and yet
/ you love me-I am sure you do. Only tell
me this, and if I must be exiled from your
! presence it will be some small comfort to me
/ in .he lonely and bitter hours of my coming
existence. Tell me that if Fate had not step
/ ped between US you would have been mine
/ in name. as believe you are now in spirit 3"
Cameronc raised her large blue eyes
mOurEfully resting them upon his face, she
said falteringly.
{" Mr. Graham-Ralph my dear friend, if
it will Tighten the weight of your sorrow to
know that this parting is to me the most pain
full scene iu my life. [ will tell you that il is
for L had weakly allowed myself to cherish
for you regard that should never have found
place in my heart, since it must be rudely
/ torn from thence and cast aside am ID the rel
les of the past"
And what is it that must separate US ?"
demanded Graham, impetuously,
Camerone laid her hand upon his shoulder
and rising, stood beside him as he sat upon
the sofa. Her face was white as death, save
two spots buring on her cheeks, and he- lips
were tightly compressed over her teeth, while
from. her eyes strange lustre glittered as she
bent bearer to his ear. 1t was but a single
sentence that she whispered, yet. as Ralph
heard it, groan burst from his full heart
and he dropped his head upon his hands for
support.
g Heaven pity US both ~ he murmured,
- but you most of all my poor Camerone."
The sight of his grief, touched Camerone's
heart, and tears sprung to her eyes as she
said,
All, 2alph, submission to the DEGREES of
Providence is hard lesson, but l learned it
faithfully; and. uutil you came TO Bsochnut
Farm, could school my heart aud cultivate
cheerfulness. shall again assume control
over it when you are gone. and not but the
memory of your sorrow will make me wretch
ed. But have long story to tell you,
that will explain the past, and the nature of
the cloud that hangs over US"
She sat down by his side, and as the length
ening shadows annouced the falling away of
that sunny March afternoon, Ralph Graham
listened to a tale that crushed all the bright
blossoms of hope that had sprung up TO
brighten his souls life and withered them
like the frosts of winter.
Hours later when the stars were solemnly
shining. and the pale moon arose ike a sick
ly phantom in the sky, while the wind moan
cd in anguish as it swept by the room, Cam
erone Southwick bade adieu to the idol of her
first love.
You will nevar forget me Cameroue 2"
Never, Ralph Graham my feelings will
remain unchanged through time and eter-
nifty"
God bless you, my noole hearted friend.
Goodbye and pressing the little hand that
nestled in his own, to his lips, Ra! ph Gra-
ham gave one more look at the lovely face
before him, second time whispered, God
bless you." and then turned away.
He has gone ; the last echo of his footsteps
as be ascended the stair, died away, and
Comerone was left alone with the bitterness
of her grief. She sat by the window until
the stars faded in the heaven and the morn
ing approached; scarcely conscious of the
lapse of time, and yet, as she measured them
by the extent of her sufferiugs, each hour
seemed an age.
at last she sought her chamber, but she
could not sleep. At four Ralph Graham was
to leave the Beechnut Farm for the rail road
station, and he passed through the front
yard, Camerone strained her eyes that she
might penetrate the darkness that surroun-
ded him, and obtain one last glimpse of his
FORM But she could not, and. leaning agains
the easement panes, she fo und relief in a
flood of tears.
To join the family at breakfast and man
tain her usual composure was no easy task for
Camerone; yet she succeeded in accomplish
ing 1t SO well that. for the paid blue of her
couutenance, and the hollowness of her eyes.
no one would have fancied that she was suff
ering in any way.
Immediately after breakfast she sought her
own room, and, feeling to weak and feverish
to sit up, arranged herself in a reclining po-
sition on her couch where she fell asleep
She was aroused by Frederic's voice calling
for admittauce at the door, and in a moment
h. wae Seated l,u bar bedsida