Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-09-01

"That was unkind, Nellie," he said. But
tell me, do you love Mr. Grey q" ~ .'aa
10, my God |" groaned involuntarily.
"That question from you'll" H' 3.fhs'
He came and stood directly over me, and
booking at me sternly, asked fiorcely-r
"Tell me, do you love that old man ~
had unconsciously betrayed myself and
1 now took refuge in anger. ,.-...
You have no right to ask that question"
l replied, quickly. III ..,r.y.-'
I'll have u right to ask it. ] will tell you
why. 1t is because you have deceived ne.
and wruDg my heart until it is almost bro
ken; because know now that my worst
fears are confirmed because you are about
to trample upon my heart as we'll as your
own, all for the sake of an old mans gold.
l have a right to ask tie question, and to
demand an answer" ..
l rose to my feet. was angry now, for
he had spoken to me as no one had ever
done before, and did not pause to think of
the provocation had given him.
81 refuse to answer it ~ exclaimed.
"You shall answer mel" he broke forth,
excitedly.
"Ths is worthy of YOU" l exclaimed,
scornfully "You can insult me here where
have no protector. think | shall make
lucky escape from marrying YOU"
He stood before me silently, with his head
bowed. He pointed to the rock and mo-
toned that l should sit down; but l refused.
"Nellie," he said, slowly, and the suffering
in his tones pierced my heart, ~ ask your
/ pardon for my rudeness When you were a
little child, l used to carry you in MY arms
over all the rough places in my way to the
school; and even then L used to looS for
ward to the time when should have the
right to carry you over the rugged road
along which we must all make our life
journey Since that time have never had
thought that was not for your happiness.
| love you better than l can ever love ano-
ther-better even than my life itself; but if
| it would secure your happiness, would see
not murmur."
God knows what demon prompted me,
but answered sneeringly-
$50 it would SEEM"
! / saw linn finch under the cruel blow,
but he continued, with his eyes fixed on the
sea-
~ speak the truth. l could not lie to you
here, Nellie, with God overhead and His
voice speaking to me IN the booming of The
waves. feel that have lost you forever,
and hope you will believe me-"
We paused, and seemed waiting for me to
speak, but said nothing, and he went on,
Luis tline lOohlnS aL me SIeaully.
81 am sorry you think so poorly of me.
Since it is the case, however, ought to re-
turn you this. When you gave it to me,
you said it was meant to be worn only by
good and worthy men. l ought not to
keep it." s.
He held out to me the iron cross, and his
hand trembled as he did so. l could not
take it; i knew that was not worthy to
wear it, and l would have died at his feet
before l would have received it from him.
Keep it," gasped "keep it, for you are
worthy to wear it. | dare Eot take it.n My
heart seemed bursting, and I wildly cried,
80 Walter, pity me my heart is breaking !"
He sprang forward and clasped me in his
arms. lie held me SO close that could not
move, and l ccpld feel his heart beating
fiercely against mine. l lay passive for a
moment, for it was so sweet to be clasped in
those dear arms, where knew could never
be held again. felt his hot tears falling
fast upon my check.
90 Nellie, Nellie" be sobbed, "you CALI
not do this. You love mel know you
love me, as truly as love you and yet you
would doom both of us to life long misery.
/ implore you, do not marry that man."
felt that could not long resist him, if
he held me thus. called all my fortitude
to sustain me-
Release me, Walter Gwynnc," exclaim-
ed, coldly, you have no right to act So"
"By Heaven !" he shouted, tercely, Il will
not part with you'll Look at those waves.
Who is to hinder me from hurting you into
( them, and saving you from life of infamy?
! You do not love that old man, and you mar
ry him for his gold BY Heaven, you shall
not will plunge you beneath those waves
and follow you there, before you shall be
his wife" i. .....s -.aI I....i ir-l
A quick, firm footstep was heard behind
US, and a voice exclaimed, in angry aston
ishment, MIR. Gwynne, what does this
mean 2" r..t ..E 8 ssfr9 s..,
Walter released me, and We both looked
around abruptly. Mr.. Grey was standing
within few feet of us. Walter looked at
HIM for moment, hesitated, and then sprang
down the rocks, and was out Of sight.
"What does it mean 2" Mr.. Grey asked,
hesitatingly. r. .r
Poor boy" said, calmly. "He has just
made me an offer of his hand, and his disap-
pointment made him forget what was due
TO me. hope you will pay no attention to
him, for am sure he will be ashamed of
himself when he grows calmer." e.e
1t cost me much to utter these words, but
l did so calmly and with such eomposure
that Mr. Grey was deceived. si.ae
81 am sorry for him, Nellie" he said, sim
ply. "If lie loves you as do, l can well
imagine how much suffering his loss has
cost him." ar- uggE. III
We went home in silence. did not see
Walter again. In the morning ! received a
note with only two words-"Forgiye me :"
and in the evening heard that he had gone
away from the village. - 80
In month after this l was married. !
had learned by that time to rule my heart,
and did not falter as repeated the awful
words in which vowed to lore my husband.
few weeks after my marriage learned
that Walter had fallen heir to an immense
fortune, left him by distant relative. This
was the beginning of my punishment.
wanted wealth, and had been true to my
own heart might have hal it with the love
craved. rn-fs.f.I ca flraiarsger sflt.
Mr.. Grey was kind aud tender. All that
wealth and affection could do to make me
happy, he lavished upor me; but each fresh
proof of his love and confidence only in
creased my misery and self contempt. Twas
living lie. hated myself, and prayed for
death, but could not find il. eds liI iiQS
At last a child was born to me--a darling
little blue-eyed girl. My whole soul was
bound up in her, and just as was looking
II H.