The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-01-30
WHOLE NO. 224.

love me, my sweet one" and he bent his
noble head and kissed her, his treasure, his
day star, his beautiful one. Like guilty
thing, I turned and fled with noiselcss foot
steps to my room. I locked my door, an'
throwing myself on the bed, I covered my
eyes with my hands as if to shut out som,
dreadful vision. My idol was in ruins-o,
rather my own heart was-I had madly
worshippcd thing Of clay unsousht, ]
had given up my best affections to one who
cared not for the otfering-even knew it not
Yes, this last reflection was drop of com
fort in whole goblet Of bitterness. How
I writhcd and groancd in my agony-but !
must control myself heard Hattic's
cheerful voice, as she knocked for admit
tance, and starting from the bed, met her
with smile, which was mockey. She
exclaimed
"Why Jennie, what is the matter you
are as pale as a ghost ~
pleaded sudden attack Of faintishness,
but declared myself recovered, and she
added,
"Wel!, if you are really better, be expe-
ditious, and get your things, and let us
go-we have been waiting some time for
you, and don't you tn nix Fred and Belle
have become friendly,'I half suspect he has
been making love to herr
followed her mechanically to the par
lor, returned Morton's salutation cheerful.
ly, and we all started I cannot describe
the mental torture underwent that night.
was all unused to concealment Around
me were mirth and revelry, every eye
sparkled, and every cheek glowed, as the
music sounded through the rooms, prepar.
atory to dancing. Morton danced once
with me, and now that the scales had fallen
from my eyes, I wondered that had ever
deluded myself with the belief that his
kind, frank attentions to me, so unlike his
| tender meaning devotedness to Belle, were
those of lover. So well did I maintain
my assumed checrfulncss, that my friends
spoke of my gaiety as contagious. When
I look back through the vista of years,
marvel that bore my misery so we'll, and
wore the mask Of gaiety for the first time
SO bravely, which covered so much an
guish. I retired to my room Immediately
on our return to Judge T.'s, leaving the
rest Of my friends in the parlor. Hopeless
ly, but tearlcssly, sat by the open win
dow till Belle came in, radiant and joyful,
"Why Jennie" said she, "Do you know
it is after three o'clock, and I thought you
were ill.,
told her the cool air had refreshed me-
and we retired. In the dim light of the
moon, as it came through the shutters, Belle
told me her happy secret, as she deemed it,
and as kissed her happy, fearful face.
told her that wished she might ever be as
joyous as now, and l silently prayed to God
to bless her, and to save me from the sin Of
envy or malice. &C.. .... ...
During the remainder of our stay, Nor.
ton was almost constantly with US. a.
voided him as much as possible, but still
was obliged to see much of him, and l now
long.d for the time to come for our dcpar.
ture The day at length arrived, and with
kindest adicus and wishes from our friends
we left the scene of so much joy and alas,
to myself Of such keen pain. On the even.
ing Of the second day We arrived at our
home. l felt like a weary wanderer return.
ing from exile, who returns but to find his
hopes of happiness gone forever. Sad,
dishcartened and weary, I fain would have
greeted my friends once more, and then
laid my aching head in the grave. NY
wish seemed likely to be granted, for in a
few days after my return, was prostrated
on bed of sickness, when for weeks l lin
gered in fever, brought on no doubt by cold.
excitement Of mind and grief I was not
delirious, so that the secret Of my unrc-
Quilted love was still locked in the recesses
Of my own heart. When sufficiently re-
covered to bear the journey, my friends took
me to Maryland to try change Of scene,
and inIlder climate, for was so debi!itat-
ed and nervous, they feared my health
might be permanently improved. But
thanks to good constitution, and the elas-
tic power of youth, soon began to recov-
er, and my parents concluded to leave me
there through the winter. Treturned home
the next May. Belle Immediately came to
see me, and told me she should call upon
me to act as bridesmaid the next month";
| had promised her long before, that sho'd
she marry first, would act in that capaci.
ty, and determined to redeem the promise.
| met Morton calmly-I had conquered my
unhappy love, but it left an indelible scar
They were married. The usual festivities
attended the bridal. accompanied the
party to B., and saw Belle installed as mis-
tress of an elegant residence, where she
still presides, lovely and graceful hostess.
She deserves her happy lot, and long may
she enjoy it. my lovely, sweet Belle, friend
Of my happiest days. Morton is man Of
talent, and will one Gay make his mark
can look upon their matrimonial felicity
and not experience a pang; but did suf-
fer cruelty, and never can l forget how
Love came into that stage coach. ...r
Dear reader, my tale is done. Edo not
see, IN looking it over, that there is any
particular merit or moral in it, but it has
beguiled few lonely hours while l am
waiting for the coach which is to take ME
to the cars, on journey to my Alabama
home. And, reader, should any haunting,