North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-05-31

head OF the horse had ridden upon the pave
msnt, where I brought up utterly sensels less
When came to myself, was lying on Q
couch in magnificent apartment.
Around the bed stood two gentlemen, and
-blissful sight the Beauty of Crystal Pal
ace-ths idol of my dreams. She was Look
ing down upon me with an expression o.
heavenly sympathy Oh her radiant features
Her eyes was full of COMMUNICATION, full o
GentleneRs. full Of love and tenderness.
opened my eyes; I could See the thrill Of
pleasure leap from her heart, and colored the
alabastersof her cheek, as she realized that /
was not dead. Oh, the bliss, the rapture, ol
that moment! All the joys for which bad
sighed in those long months of homage to
the painted CANVASS, were condensed into that
single instant. | would haye given all the
rest of my life for the scstscy Of that moment.
She blushed as her glance met the gaze OF my
reanimatea eye. I was sure she felt for me
that her heart and mine were one.
"Ellen, let us retire." said Colonel Kent
her lover, as he saw me open my eyes. she,
will do very well nowp
mot till hear what the doctor saws. -
replied she, in tone that was music to NV
soul.
"B'ess you, lady" exclaimed I, attempt
ing to rise.
"Do not STIR" said the surgeon.
The admoni,lon was useless: I could mo-,
stir.
The doctor said my arm was broken, and
that was much bruised; but with care, |
should recover in a few weeks.
had been borne to the residence of the
Madonna of my dreams and was now be-
meath the same roof with her, and what was
more, if the medical man understood the case
l was likely to remain there for some weeks
to come.
How do you feel, sir 2" asded Miss Sher-
wood. in the sweet tones of sympathy.
quite we'll, exclaimed, in rapture; your
presence inspires me-"
She blushed, but she was not angry. Col
Kent. her lover, frowned; his brow darken-
ed, and he rudely led her from the room. -
de was not lover of her choice, l after
wards learned; she only tolerated him for
her fathers sake. l could read this much in
her looks and actions, and blessed my stars
for the fact.
have not time or space to tell how pass
ed the six weeks of my confinement and con.
va'escence in the presence of Ellen Sherwood
how she watched over me with tenderness
and sympathy how her smile rewarded NE
for the months Of suspense and anxiety I had
spent with her picture in the palace: and f.
nally how her sympathy and tenderness
rpened in to love; how we plighten our
faith, and vowed to live and die for each 9th.
Or.
Icannot tell how she hung upon words
fal OF passionate eloquence, when described
my devoi ton TO the picture how she blush
ed when I told her my love-a love T had
cherished and nurtured into a flaming mas
sion before | saw her face. She loved me in
return, and was as happy as the dream of
an angel.
CHAPTER ".
Col. Kent looked all this time with savage
interest. He had sworn to drink my blood.
doubted not; but I cared not for this. 7
fully expected to be called out. He had the
reputation of being the best shot in the
States, had already killed three men On the
field of honor, and had the pleasant pros
pect of being added to the number.
Ellen told me all this and in the same
breath that she both feared and hated him.. =
She warned me to avoid him and pleaded
with me to decline his chalege l could no,
do this with honor, and though the thought
OF parting with my fairy was terrible, was
obliged to evade her petition.
One day, after I had returned to my rooms
I was surprised to receive visit from the
lnfuriate6 lover. He was cooler than ex.
pected to see him. He promptly accused
me of treachery, and demanded satisfac
ton.
attempted to reason with him and #
she bad never seen me, would not have con-
sented to be his wife. He thought otherwise
and demanded duel. He was so cool, that
tried to reason further with him but he
was obstinate, and insisted on fighting me.
"As you please" said I, indifferently.
"My friend will wait upon you this ove-
ming" said he, pulling on his glove, with care.
less ease.
| "Nay, Colonel, let us settle it here"
"Here ?"
I He looked ut me with astonishment. Tn
| spite of his reputation for courage and skill
in the duel, had long since come to the con
cusion that he was "bully" more ''brag'
than man. As it was, he was q proficien
in the use Of the pistol, while was novice
On the field he was sure to kill me, and