North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-01-27
TUNKHANNOCK, PA, WEDNESDAY, JAN 81, 1864.

| sang and played on piano III tue next room.
| met her on the stairs occasionally, and
sometimes | caught sight of her floating dra-
perry just disappearing in her doorway
! One day .chanced to hear her speak of her
music scholars to another lady that stood
with her upon the landing as | passed.
Then thought this mysterious lady might
be her teacher. Perhaps, could | be there
at the right hour, might even catch the sill
very tones of her voice-might possibly
meet her and find some way Of sformlng her
acqua intance. [ feigned illness for few
days. | need scarcely have feigned it, for
tie mental wear of the last few months had
made me quite thin and sallow. found my
coniectures correct. She came at regular in
tervals, and | enjoyed the supreme blessed
ness Of fastening to her sweet, half childish
voice. What plans | laid to meet and speak
| with her. What air castles built on the
sunny future. But they were built alas OIL
no tangible foundation. Ere had completed
any of my schemes the mysterious lady re
moved, the voice Of my beloved was heard
no more, and new tenant occupied the next
room. | sought my angel, as | fondly called
her, all over the city, but found her no.
where. From thencforth. Stella, | was chang
! ed. gave up useless visions of love and
sympathy, and-her. Hopelessly, as to the
joys Of this life, yet earnest in the labor that
should tell upon the life to come, | resoute-
ly set myself at work to become a proficient
in my Gallo g, that thus might the better
help to lessen the suiferings of humanity |
have made my mothers last words the watch
word of my life. And, Stella, even in my
comparatively joyless life, have been bless
ed. But, Why are you leaving me so hastily,
my cousin? Stay a few moments. Is my
story, then, so tiresome !"
Stella had risen suddenly, and like spirit
was gliding from the room. The last word S
recalled her. She sunk down silently upon
her seat. If she was agitated, peahaps the
shadows concealed it. If she was pale and
trembling, how should Horac see it, Should
she 6etray thefoly in which she had uncon-
cIousys ystailen ShoU ID, she in her weakness
allow the stranger to comprehend what she
herself had not until to-night--that she loved
him No! she could, she would command
both word and ma nner-wOuld stay and hear
all, though each new sentence struck like a
blow upon her heart. Why had she dared to
hope aDd what had she dared 10 hope for ?
Poor child, she had not known her heart un-
I'll now-nCw when it was to late.
Horace resumed his seat.
There has been another era in my life,
Stella. Since coming to this place | have
seen shat sweet embodyment of my dreams ;
aye, have spoken with her-have learned to
call her friend. | have found her all nv
heart could dream of--Ioveliness. Again such
hopes as had believed were utterly dead
within me have sprung up into new life; but
are these new hopes also doomed to die?
must .Aey be trodden in the dust? Stella.
DO you know what it is to give life for life ?
love for ioye,-l life for life ? Nothing less do
L seek This friend of yours and mine, Stel-
ia, seems to love me, | believe that it is but
to ask and she is niue. But will her whole
heart be mlne-mine alone viii she give
me love for loye-he for life &? OF TINS I
have been in doubt. You have a woman's
tact, Stella, will you sound her heart for me?
Will you-"
/ This passionate appeal was suddenly bro
ken off, for Stella pressing hand against her
forehead with quick convulsiye movement:
rushed out OF The room. Horace fingered q
moment, then went 20 seek her, She was
not in the SittIng-room nor yet in the library
She had not taken the way to her own room.
lie turned his steps toward the garden, In
a retired corner beneath The thickly over
archiug trees, was Steila's favorite resort--a
beautiful summer house. As Horace noise
lessly approached hidden by the dense foiag
heavy, hat-suppressed sobs reached his ear
then Stella's own voice, excIaimiug.
Oh, this blow-this last bitter blow
could he not rot have spared me that 2"
"Dearest Stella have struck you2 Do
you, then, love me wholly? Do you love me
Stella ? You alone have been the day star
Of my life. 1t was you, and you only, that |
SO long, so blindly worshipped Forgive me
for wounding you thus. I was selfish, Stella.
L would know whether you could be happy
without me.'
Horace had flung himself at the feet of
the weeping fugitive. Again she would have
fled FROM him, but mis- strong arm detained
her, his low voice breathing words of tender
ness. From that night Horace, the orphan
was no longer alone, and unloved.
! STEPHEN GIRARn's RuIE-That merchant