The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1865-09-20

every nerve, anu moment . iaAhIHcsS POS
sesscd mo.
est must not be- pleaded; n restless
chatting. plotting woman would be wors
than all
"My mother marked my rising agitation
and glided away.
40 Whatever can relieve you, dear Luke
she said, your father shall obtain
~ now fancied that they believed me mad
and that keeper was to be introduced to IN
under the guisc Of companion. forme,
many mental portraits of this fierce person
and they kept me awake through the lon,
watches. / even mcditated escape, and un
closed my easement with that design, but tn,
sunlight, the bird-songs, and the zephyr
rushed into my window, and staggered IN,
like 50 many sentines. One day slept fit
fully, and dreamed that l was poor and or
phancd, with the alternatives of death o,
work before me. / had wandered to vii
lage and thrown myself beneath some elms
with horrible despair sealing my eyelids
Suddenly the grass was stirred by some hui
man footballs. and two soft voices were speak
ing close beside me.
est is strange said the first voice; n,
is pale and delicate, but with no evidence,
Of heavier Affections
4 Uu w HOI KNOW UlIIl, murulurcu lu(
| other wait and see.
"A face bent down to mine, and the lips O
woman touched my cheek Istarted in my
sleep, caught my pen gaspingly, and quiy
cred like an aspen.
"This is indeed terrible" said the sof
voice, compassionately but do not despair
1t cannot be nature. 1t must be habit, OF
bashfulness, or the effect of some childish
or forgotten fright. Cheer up, and hope"
g. BE kind to him, Heraine, resumed the
other; you are my last resort, and becom
ing his companion, you become my child. :
DO not vex, do not excite him. BE yourself
always calm, gentle, and affectionate, and
the kindness which you show my boy, may
God return to you in mercy and blessing!
81 Enclosed my eyes; the scene was re.
solved to my quiet library. Something Gid
ed through the door, but form from the
other side flung shadow across my face
premonition Of the keeper thrilled me a
moment, but I turned slowly at length, and
looked into the intrnders face.
"a woman, or, rather, n girl with q wo-
mans face, serene and placid, as if never
rufiied by care or passion, sat between me
and the window, and the gloomy light soft
ened her calm countenance. As / looked
up, her lashes fell, and her blue eyes were
bent fxedly upon the door. She seemed
like one Of my sedate portraits, which had
come down from its case. She waited, appa-
rently, for some sign Of recognition, or until
my surprise should have passed away, and
did not move while | ran her over with keen
curiosity. She was. probably, Of my own
age, though her self-possession might have
stamped her as much older: but the bloom
of check, and her bosom just ripening, were
induces Of girls years. She raised her
eyes at length, and babe me a good after
noon i'll a voice which reminded me of the
taintest lullaby The quiet tone was second
ed by an assuring glance, and directly we
were convcrsing without restraint, rs if
friends Of years rather than acquaintance OF
an hour
g Heraine was the impersonation Of CON-
posture. The neutral tint Of dress CORE
sponded with the smooth tresses of her brown
hair. Her touch was magnetic. and petu-
lancy vanished at her smile, as at charm
Her intelligence was, doubtless, the secret
Of her power. She OWNED my moods with
out inquiry, and checrcd them without effort
She led me out of the unhealthy atmosphere
cngendered by my constituencies, and /
sometimes forgot my disability for hours
She was as good as she was capable. and as
amiable ~ she was resollte. We tralernized
Immediately. and felt all the newness Of a
regenerated life. My temperament was fit
full as of yore, but the gloomy spectres van
ished; and my attention being weaned from
the slighter occurrences Of nature, was no
longer racked by their tremors and jars -
The soft face of Iieraine seemed to hush all
chaos, and when she smiled, l thought that
the very earth had ceased to roll When
her large liquid eyes were fully opened upon
me, | seemed to be looking into the hungry
blue of the sky, and carried aloft by the look
beyond the influence of matter. For the
moment, my nerves grew numb, the compass
OF my senses narrowed to her wondrous face,
and the letters which bound me to it were
forged Of gold
The months went by like the stars, which
wheel eternally, but seem motionless as we
watch them. Sometimes we read aloud, but
our voices wore low and lulling, as if quieter
than silence. Then we talked Of my calm
paintings, Swallowing deeper lonelinesses in
them. But it was my highest rapture to sit
in stiffness for hours, while Heraine, cush-
Toned at my feet, made cunning embroider-
les, like some iacic poet whose fingers were
dropping rhymes.
= remarked that our conversations were
progressive. My companion led me gradu-
ally into forbidden themes, rs if to strength
en- and emboldcn me. We went forth, in
fancy, from our shadowy chamber, through
deep groves, into twilights, beneath soft
skies, even into the glare of the sun, and, at
last among the storms and the seas may
have quivercd, but | was not shocked; for
the wrack and roar Of the universe were
drowned in the quietncss of her voice. Then
we walked abroad little way and though
panied, | endured for she did not abuse
these successes. She had travelled in far
countries, and often read me friendly letters,
which attested how well the world esteemed
her. Sometimes her acquaintances came to
the house, but never to my room, and once
or twice she was absen' whole day, when
my nervousness returned. There was one
correspondent whose missives were never
read to me fine bold hand, which at
length became familiar. Their receipt pleased
her, thought, and once I ventured to say
Heraine, you have pleasant letter
there.
..She only blushed very much. aud all her
quietness was gone for moment.
CAS- the months expanded into years, a
new feeling engendcred from our intimacy.
did not comprehend it at first. II crept
upon me like the unfolding of new sense or
the gradual realizing Of the earliest profound
thought. An unexpected event gave it re-
cognition.
"The boldly endorsed letters came twice a
month at first, afterward four times, and
finally twice, thrice, and even five times a
week. Heraine was quick and flushed
he, h,,A Al,sN. l~s1 =,
my apartment, and substituted for the en-
hroiderv n 1rass of s,,ch hriUhf hnns thaf II