North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-09-21

we'll known voice, and the next moment Hen
ry stood beside her.
"Ida" he exclaimed, alarmed at beholding
her thus ;" dear Ida. are you ill Alice
has recovered, and is now inquring for you,
dearest" ..F
No, I am not ill,n she replied rising
slowly from her seat 81 will 60 to AL
ice"
"The young invalid reclincd upon couch.
Her languid head was supported by pillows
and, her soft eyes were dimned by her recent
swoon, but the expression of suffering had
left her face, and as Ida entered she looked
up and welcomed her with glance of affec.
tion.
Are you better, Alice? p Asked Ida,
as she tenderlv pressed that small transpar-
ent hand
"Much better, dearest" she replied in a low
tone," but have felt very strangely to day
| know not why it.is, yet presentiment of
i'll tests heavily upon my spirit, and it seems
as though!somethng terrible had befallen ne.
But where is Henry =? Why does he stay
away SO long ?'' At that moment he stood
before her, and gazing sadly upon the ashy
face Of tn young girl, he said, in low voice
shaken with emotion, " am here dearest:
Alce,"
You are very kind to me, dear Henry"
and her sweet voice trembled slightly "you
have ever been so, May you one day be
rewa rdcd' for your care of one who has new
.er been aught but burden to all around
herr
"Say not so, Alice, you are not burden
for who could help loving one so gentle and
good. Sweet cousin, you know how we'll we
all love you"
Z" A smile of joy crossed the young girls
countcnance; she casped her hands and mur-
INJURED few inaudble words, then the long
siken lasges slowly dropped over the blue
orbs beneath them, and she fell into a light
slumbec.
" Henry and Ida watched anxiously be
side her, rot hardly daring to breathe word
lest they should disturb her rest. An hour
passed, and yet there was silence within that
little chamber, for Alice still slept. At
length violent ring at the bell startled the
sleeper, and Mrs. Cleveland, who had been
from home the whole morning. and was
therefore unacquainted with her daughters
sudden indispositiou, entered. Her first in
quiry was for Alice, and on learning that she
had been taken worse, her fears were inme
dately y awakened, and she proceeded direct
" to her daughters chamber: Alice" she
exclaimed, in voice of alarm, on beholdng
the sick girls altered appearance, what ails
you my child 2"
BE calm, dear mother; have been i'll
again, but shall soon grt better" But the
mother knew the physicians opinion, and in
an agony ofgrief she throw herself upon chair
and burst into tears.
Alice appeared to be much distressed, |
though she spoke not, while Henry reminded
Mrs. Cleveland how very injurious it was for
her child to be exerted.
"The physician now came in, and when he |
saw his young patient he shook his head sad |
ly, as il he feared all would not be right.
For days after that Alice fingered on the
verge of the grave, and her friends watched
sorrowfully beside her, fearing lest every mo-
ment might be her death struggle. But in
spite ofevary prediction, before fortnight
had elapsed she had nearly uncovered her u.s.
ual health. 1t seemed as though fate had
adopted every measure that could string her
young and loving heart and she was preserv-
ed for few short hours but to have her
spirit deadened by the poisoned ar row o
blghted affection. Poor Alice Sweet flower
Better far had she sooner rested in the cold
dark grave, than to have been stricken to the
earth by chilling frosts of hopeless love.
zone pleasant summer morn, when the sun
cleaned brightly into her chamber window.
Alice resolved for the first time since her
sickness to leave her room Ida had been
absent for long time from her side and the
young girl; feeling rather lonely, and desiring
once mo re to join the family circle, left her
apartment. a
"The drawing room was partly open, and
Alice stole softly down the stairs, thinking
how gratiied those within it would be to see
her again among them. She heard voices in
earnest conversation She paused and listen
ed.
"Well, ah well, did she recognize tie
voice of one who spoke, and a thrill Of de-
light ran through her veins. But as she bert
her head to catch the beloved d tones, the words
hat she heard fell like drops of lead upon her
heart. Again those fearful benumbng sensa-
tions came over her. Her head grew dizzy
her lips quirered, she sauddered, gasped and
fell.
"Henry Cleayeland startled at the sound
rushed from the room, and there npoh the
cold floor, pale an d motionless, lay Alice the