Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1866-02-17

NO, mr. UOruon eald ] she may be as
beautiful as Venus herself, and shall not
fall in love with her. While have you,
my darling, can bid defiance to all the
beauties in the universe
Perhaps Mr.. Gordon thought be was
telling the truth-but just at that moment
he did not love her. The radiant face she |
wore showed that she believed him at least,
and was for tho time being very happy.
Il am going to the station at five o'clock,
Leah said. Il suppose l may count on
your escort there ?!
Mr.. Gordon signf9d his willingness to
| escort here there, or 10 the end Of the
world, if she liked aud they sat talking
together while the summer afternoon wore
on, Of the future, the beautiful future, that
was so very near In the yellow afternoon
they walked together to the depot, and
waited while the passengers came out for
cousin Clara
'Thore she is = was Loah's cry, pres
emily. And Mr.. Gordon saw her dart fol-
ward and catch rapturously in her arms
young girl who had just aIighted on the
platform. A very pretty young girl, too
-oue of the pretticst Ralph Gordon had
ever seen--violet-eyed, golden-haired, and
cherry checked who looked up in his face
with CLEAN half saucy, half shy, and
wholly bewitching. How pretty she was,
this little Clara with the golden curls and
how her fresh, bright young beauty con-
trasted with the dark plain face OF Leah,
his plightcd wife
Cousin Clara was great talker, it ap-
pared, and chattcred like a magpis all the
way to the house. 1t was rather silly,
perhaps, for school girl tattle but any
thing, the viest nonsense, must have sound
ed sweet from such sweet lips. 1t may be
that Mr.. Ralph Gordon though 80 for be
was very silent, and listened to all the
foolish, girlish talk as if it we're the wis
dom of solomon,
Tue week after cousin Clara's arrival
was very pleasant week to all three
They never seemed to be apart all the long
pleasant day, riding, or walking, or driv.
ing and in the moonlight evenings, sail
: ing and singing up and down the shining
river. When it rained, Mr.. G ordon lay
on sofa at his case and read, while the
girls sewod, Owen Meredth's poems, OF
Miss Bcaddon's romance. Cousin Clar;
could play and sing too, to a charm ant
altogether it was very delightful time tt
r all three. Usually, the third person is il
e the way when two people expect to ge
married in fortnight; but it did not seen
J so in this case. Pretty, bluc-2yed, golden
: haired, losy.cheeked cousin Clara wa
: never in tho way-Ralph Gordon wa
u strangely anxious and distant when sh
l was absent, and had contracted an imps
tient way of watching the door when sh
u was expected. Ever one saw how matter
stood, but Leah-poor betrayed Leah =
= who was blinded to everything bat he
e own perfect love and faith.
: They were sitting together out in tn
re moonlit porch one August night thos
a three unusually silent and thoughtfu
le all. How well Leah remembered tia
n night in the after years, so loveless-tba
night when the first shadow fell.
u How silent we all are ? Ralph Gordo
is said, rouSipg himself by an effort from
to fit of muaiug, What shall we do to ki
of time Let us 60 to the theatre ?
ID No, no !" Leah said, not tonight,
o. do uot like the play y
N What is it p cousin Clara asked, loo
as ing up from the rose she was pulling
ct pieces.
I'd Leah, the Forsaken :
be There was blank pause, broken at la
by Clara's singing Kathleen Mavourneel
ue The mournful melody hoated out on t
u night air, sweet and sad as funeral hyln
ne 'Oh, do not ! Leah cried out at las
lie do not sing that song 1t gives me Il
heartachc so hear you. What's the mi
is ter of us all tonight .
Il She looked wistlully at her plighted 1t
ay band but he was watching the fair ia
see of the singing, and spoke inditferently.
= 'You have the blues, suppose, II
,irl cherc, Clara, you will take cold in t
her night air, come into the house and ST
vas for u.s.
Pretty cousin Clara was always roa
she to obey Mr.. Gordon the trio adjourn
sin to the drawing-room. Leah took her Sc
the ing and sat down at the table, Clara Sc
ed herself at the piano, and Mr.. Core
lay lay on the sofa, and listened to the sw
voice of the singer. But the music CO.
me not charm away the shadow of what '
She al hand-of what was to come that nil
II