Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-09-12
BLOOMSBURY, COLUMBIA CO. PA. WEDNESDAY,. S

most upright men in the place. Why do
you askY'
Because 1 have promised to be his wife, !"
I replied. / shook like an aspen; my
strength seemed going from me- Walter
only bent his head, so that | could not see
his face, and then said, in low tone, after
moment s silence:
CT have feared this for some time Nellie
I don't blame you, but [ doubt the wisdom
of your choosing so old a man.
"Of course you do; it is natural that you
should. l spoke sharply, and even rudely,
but it was relief to the pain that was gnaw-
ing at my heart.
He rose from his feet quickly, walked a
few PAGES from me, and then came back.
''That was unkind, Nellie, he said. "But
tell me, do you love MIR. Grey2'
go, my God - | groaned involuntarily.
"That question from you?'
He came and stood directly ever me, and
| looking at me sternly, asked fercely-
Tell me, do you love that old MANI"
! / had unconsciously betrayed myself, and
| now took refuge in anger.
You have no right to ask that question, J"
I replied, quickly.
have right to ask it. / will tell you
why. 1t is because you have deceived me,
and wrung 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 well as your
own; all for the sake of an old mans gold
have a right to ask this question, and to
demand an answer.
/ 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.
g refuse to answer it |" | exclaimed
You shall answer me ~ he broke forth,
excitedy.
''This is worthy of you," 1 exclaimed,
scornfully. You can insult me here where
| have no protector. l think | shall make
lucky escape from marrying you"
He stood before me silently, with his head
bowed. He pointed to the rock and motion
ed that | should sit down; but | 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, | used to carry you In my arms
over all the rough places In my way to the
school and even then / used to look for
ward to the time when l should have the
right to carry you over the rugged road
along which we must all make our life. jour
ney. Since that time l have never had a
thought that was not for your happiness. l
love you better than | can ever love another
l.
would secure your happiness, 1 would see
that love change to lifelong sorrow, and
not murInur
God knows what demon prompted me, but
I answered sneeringly-
So it would seem.
saw him finch under the cruel blow, but
he continued with his eyes fixed on the sea
81 speak the truth. / 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 for
ever, and hope you will believe me.
He paused, and seemed waiting for me to
speak, but said nothing, and he went on,
this time looking at me steadily.
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
e. g0S'd and worthy men, | ought not TO Keep
He held out to me the iron cross, and his
hand trembled as he did so. l could not
take it. ! knew that l was not worthy to
wear it, and would have died at his feet
before i would have received it from him.
"Keep ii" l gasped; keep it, for you are
worthy to wear it. l dare not take it. " My
heart seemed bursting, and l wildly cried,
20, Walter, pity me my heart is breaking II
He sprang forward and clasped me in his
arms. He held me so close that | could not
move, and felt his heart beating fercely
against NINE 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 cheek.
so, Nellie, Nellie" he sobbed, 1'you can
not do this. You love me-Iknow you love
me, as truly as [ love you; andyetyou would
doom us both to lifelong misery. | implore
you, do not marry that man.
felt that l could not long resist him, if
he held me thus. / called all my fortitUde
TO sustain me
Release me, Walter Gwynne, :" Iexclaim-
ed coldly, you have no right to act so. y
''By Heaven p' be shouted iercely, II will
not part with you. 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 Oldham, and you marry
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 -
A quick, firm footstep was heard behind
US, and voice exclaimed in angry astonish-
ment, ''Mr Gwynne, what does this mean?'
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, ard was out of sight.
''What does it mean?" Mr.. Grey asked,
hesitatingly.
''Poor boy" / said calmly, che has just
made me an offer of his hand, and his disap-
pointment made him forget what was due to
me. Ihopeyou viii pay no attention to him,
for / am sure he will be sorry when he grows
calmer.
We went home in silence. l did not see
Walter again. In the morning received a
note with only two words Forgive me ;"
and in the evening heard that he had gone
away from the village.
In month after this l was married. l
had learned by that time to rule my heart,
and ID MT faltcr as re1,eated the aEful