The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-31

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happy, away from you was miserable. /
have endeavored to conquer this wild, /
may say, hopeless love, but in vain. I
love you, Maude, with my whole heart Is
that love returned?"
The form Of the heiress trembled, and
she endeavored to give utterance to words
wildly at variance with her feelings.
"Speak! tell me is my love returned !?
You tremble. Can it be possible that my
dreams are realized 80
The artists arm encircled the form of
the trembling beauty, and the naughty
head slowly sank upon his shoulder. 1t
was a moment of bliss to Harry, and he
drew her form still nearer and impressed
one kiss of fervent love on her brow.
The kiss recalled Maude Ashton back to
life. She sprang from his arms, and the
next moment the wild torrent of her heart
was stilled, and once more she became the
heiress again.
"Mr. Winner, you are beside yourself
to thus address me-
But my love-
"No more. Remember our positions. !"
Chilled to the heart by this sudden
check, Harry Winner arose, and, standing
before the heiress, said:
"True, had forgotten that. You are
rich, an heiress, and look with scorn upon
| the humble Game ] with gold and Jew
els, fair lady, you would not scorn my
suit
Maude's eyes flashed as she replied
"And, sir, as you have not gold and
jewels, you must, forsooth, resign your
suit
Tho you admit that you love me?"
emo" trenbled upon the lips of the
proud beauty, but the word came not.
''You hesitate You love me; aye."
he exclaimed fercely, ''you love me! that
one moment of bliss convinces me of that.
The cheek of Maude Ashton paled, and
her hands were clasped.
"For Heavens sake" she stammered,
"divulge not that one weakness. Prom
ise mel"
Have no fear, Maude, l will net re-
veal it j"
"Swear it, and will believe you.''
"On one condition. Promise me that
you will not marry for two years. If in
that time l do not return with gold and
Jewels, you are Free" t.. ...
"Auy thing; l viii promise anything"
gasped Maude.
"Then solemnly swear never to re-
veal aught of tonight. Farewell. If |
return not in two years you are free"
With stately tread Henry Winner
crossed the parlor, and left the tickle
woman, who could not allow her heart to
gowhere gold was not, to her own thoughts.
of 1ol cho
ton ragged in the heart of the heiress, as
she sat, after Harry's departure, with
hands clasped. For once Maude Ashton
had revealed her heart, and she felt hum
bled at her own silent declaration of 1ler
love for one whom she considered so far
beneath her. She loved the artist; it was
useless to deny it; but, until he could
bring wealth to lay at her feet, she could
not give heed to his suit. is..ia.
The next steamer that left the port of
New York bore among its many passen-
gers Harry Winner, who left the shores of
his native land to gather wealth in lands
''far o'er the bright blue sea- .....g ..-
Time passed on, and Maude Ashton still
reigned the bell of the "town." She was
still the same naughty, proud woman as
in days gone by. In vain the fortune
hunters and exiled counts assailed her
heart; she remained as cold and distant as
ever.
Men pronounced her heartless, women
called her proud, yet all bowed to her SUI
perior endowments and brilliant beauty.
Suddenly change came over her heart,
and it was rumored among the ''faslIiona-
BILE" that Maude Ashton was betrothed
to the wealthy Englishman, George Rey-
nolds All rumors were at length verified
by the appearance of cards, announcing
the marriage of the heiress and the Eng
lishman.
Had George Reynolds won the heart of
Maude? No. Fate had given the feel
ings to the poor, wandering artist, but the
wealth of the rich lord had gained her
hand Despite her sacred promise to wait
two years, Maude had betrothed herself to
another, and was forever lost to Harry
Winner.
The marriage ceremony was performed,
and the reception took place in style of
unexampled splendor, and the wealthy
couple departed on briet sojourn in Eu-
rope.
People congratulated them on their
happy choice, envied them their happi-
ness. Little did they know the bitterness
of Maude's heart when they termed her
happy. Nightly and daily the pale, dis
pairing face OF Harry Winner was before
her ewes, his reproaches ever ringing in
her ears, and, more than all, the betrayal
of her sacred promise was ever feeding on
her heart.
Three years passed on, and yet, at
Maudes request, George Reynolds lin
| gered in Europe. ~ 90 49,