Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-11-17

b SUI ipi tAS"''hS hS' 80 '">" '""'"NA'i
manner. Never before in all my life had I
felt so. Altogether, | was perfectly miscra-
BILE. ..
While I sat there unconsciously drew
from my finger tho ring always wore there.
held it up, as l was often in the habit of
doing, to read the inscription within and the
words Grieve not the heart that loves thee,
flashed on my gazc-fashed into my heart
with such painful vividness that started and
looked around to see who had uttered them,
There was no one there | sat alone, and
conquered by the talisman of the ring Grieve
not the heart that loves thee 1t was her
gift. These were the words she was wont to
murmur, lying with closed eyes and white
hands nestled in minc and the dear head pill
breaking ever and anon from the fresh lips,
till hushcd their music into silence by the
pressure of my own. ..~'
" Grcve not the heart that loves thee" 1t
was her voice that spoke to me in the stiffness
of that lonely room. Oh! no other could
have the power to so thrill my soul with feel
ings such as had then Where was she
then? Moving amidst the glare and glitter
of the crowded ball room Oh no! 1 know
her spirit came to me in that lonely hour to
take a last farewell, to breathe parting BEN
edcton on my Unworthy head!
That ring was her gift She placed it on
my finger the day after We were married and
l promised her socmnly, with her earnest
brown eyes looking into mine that | would
uevcr part with it in life or in death. AS
sat there holding it in my hand, sweet mem
cries of old times flashed across my mind like
sudden sun bursts over darkcned landscape.
! thought of the time when | first asked her
to be my wifc--cLild as she was 1t was not
so long ago-only two years; and they had
been such pleasant ones She was very
young, wa, Alice, when first brought her to
my homc-only seventeen; and | was her
senior in years. Accustomed from very early
life to act and think for myself, | had acquired
the habit of domination unconsciously; and
Alice, with her tiny figure and fair young
face, cl;nging, caressing ways, | never could
think of her but as beautiful child, to be
spilled, and petted, and loved, and governed.
Heaven knows how j loved and cared for
her. But she had never before disobeyed
me Never before had she so Wounded
not my love for her, but my love Of authority
d. ts,,I. - Il I ,tnnuht
of all her caressing, pretty-ways-ho She
had nurscd me during n long illness in the
East fall-how she would bound into my arms
when came home every evening and then
thought how drcary my home would be
without her; and all the passed tenderness of
my nature welcd up.
Poor child r | murmurcd, repeatedly,
how | have made her suffer! ! was harsh,
God forgive me! Oh that she were here
now that | nigh: take her to my heart and
soothe her into forgctfulncss, my poor wronged
darlngw
looked at the clock The hands dointed
to ten She had never staid out later. ..
"She will soon be here, F" said, trustfully
and then | rang the bell, and had the fire
repleni>hcd and the room arranged against
her coming drew her favoritc chair up into
the bright blazq. and placed my own beside
it then | went to the window, and looked
impaticntiy down the moonlit avenue. Not
coming yet. walked up aud down the floor
once or twice and then, to beguile the tcdi-
GUS moments, entered into an investigation OF
the contents of her little work basket which
stood on a table. First, there was her tiny
limble and scissors, and -pools of different
hues, then took up small piece of flannel
embroidered in various cabalstc designs
which last caused me to smile curiously, for
could not understand the meaning Of so much
work, all crowded on one small piece of stuff.
But dropped it quickly, for | heard the car
riage coming up the avenue ] was at the
door as soon as it stopped, and opened it eager
ly My wife sat with her face turned from
me, and quite hidden by the large wooles
hood. .......-
:. Are you not very cold and tired, dear ?
Salu, my VOICE tFciilpiinS WIFI iihpatich
tenderness as extended my hand to assist
her to rise but there was no answer, and sh
remained quite still :,..- ...-.
'Alice, love, speak to me! Do yob no
hear" 81 .....r. ..tt -.,. .t
Silent still / Then / thought she had fallel
asleep; land took her hand to awaken hef. ]
was so cold that started back chilled.
+" How cold you are, dear Alice Are yo'
i'll Y' And leaned forward and pushed tn
hood from her face II was tery still, whit
face--so motionless it might have been carve
out in stone. The moonlight shone full upo
it, and on the precious blue eyes, wide open
but diinmed aud Aimmed. ts.
Dead O God No. Na,.st
would not allow myself to think of ii
{" She has tainted" J said, and ] carried he
softly into the house aud laid her on the sofa
l knew nothing Of the gathering crowd {
terror stricken servants around me saw noth
ing, heard nothing, felt nothing for a "
Every thought, every faculty was conoskt
ted in my anxiety for her. ! knelt h@id
her, and chafed the dead hands and temples
!, and pressed my warm. living lips 70 the beau
tiful cold mouth, S4f seeking to breathe int
them amin the breath of life. [yainf vain