The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-05-19
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in the CRATE and the rattle of the hail
against the window-pancs. My sister
was silently reading; sat with my book
on my knee, gazing at beautiful face
which l saw among the yellow Goals,
that looked like pile of gold.
Suddenly heard the garden-gate un-
latch. / listened, and heard a fOotstep
on the walk. Laying down my book /
prepared for the summons to the door |;
but there was none. | listened, think
ing detected, instead, a faint cry; but
the next moment / believed was mis-
taken, and took up my book again. All
the evening / sat reading.
On preparing to retire l went to lock
the hall-door as usual. Before doing SO
opened it, and looked out into the
night. A cry of surprise broke from
me.
The dark, muff1ed figure of woman
lay across the step.
l called to Mary to bring light. Lift
ing the woman brought her in. AS the
hood fell back from her face we thought
she was dead; but soon we found that
she was only senseless. She had a beau
tiful face-why did l ever look upon it?
Her name was Cecilia Montaign; she
was poor scwing-girl, and was return
J ing from the city with work, when,
blinded by the storm, she lost her way.
| After wandering about for hours, be-
wildercd, she turned to our lighted cot
, tage to ask for the road, and fell, eX-
, hausted, at the door. So she told us
) when she could speak, and lift up to
my face the loveliest eyes l ever saw.
She had no home or friends, and she
stayed with us. My sister liked her;
| loved her.
May came. The sunshine looked tc
S me like liquid gold as it fell on me as ]
t came homcward at night. The bird,
sang me an argosy. Tenderest brecze'
, came to WOO me to the beautiful face
which awaited me. And one of thosC
r jewelled May days l told her that
n loved her.
"And l love you," she said simply.
I "And will you be my wife, Cecilia
= when can take care Of you?"
d 81 will"
| ] looked into her eyes. 1 think sh
d loved me then.
t. | had but one relative besides my sis
e ter--a wealthy bachelor uncle, who ha,
once offered to favor me if / ever wishe
e to make n decided start in the world
DInnnipCr for fiIfIIrn I rnsnIuaI T.
G apply to him for counsel and assistanc
Il to render my circumstances thriving.
is Proud of her beauty and sweetness,
l asked Cecilia to accompany me when
e visited him.
l He welcomed me cordially, and eve
d politcnesS could not conceal his surpris
d and admiration rs he observed Cecilia
t He showed us every attention, conduct
ing us over his superb house to displa
e its latest improvements, ordering luXu
/ riouS refreshments to be served, and dis
playing hundred objects, rare and cost
/ ly, to our admiring eyes. talked wit
d him in private, and he promised N
e every assistance l needed.
g The next day he came to our house
Z and brought my sistcrand Cecilia gift c
c costly books. did not see him; but h
e made them promise, / learned, to com
and spend week with him. Twas flat
tered by the request, saw them go, an
took up Il weeks abode in the city.
l did not see them during that time
. and every lonely evening seemed un
supportable. But upon the seventh da.
- l received Il note from my sister bidding
=, me come directly to my uncle's hous
in LennoX. When / met her she wa
+ fearfully agitated.
4 "Mary, what is the matter?" asked
n with IA terrible pang of fear.
= Cecilia has gone away" she sale
. " Before going she gave me this pacllag
7 for you. She kissed me and bade III
good-by, and oh, Weston, fear"
7 | tore open the package. 1t held m
, gift-the engagement-ring of chase
= gold, some books and notes, and Il Gu
of my hair,
! "Where is my uncle?" l asko
'o hoarsely.
II "IIc has gone too. lie went ava
,s with her in the carriage"
=, ! waited a moment, holding in n
r hand the ring.
.o "She is false" l said then calml
fe "May God forgive her! Mary, dear, |
US go home"
We returned Immediately to Broo,
- side. The chanting birds and gay tioN
~ ers welcomed us. God! what a moe
of cry they were!
id / went about calmly for weeks.
rv never wept nor cursed. But one da
Sc when | came across a scarlet ribbc
ed which had tied her hair, all the ten
nd chords of my heart seemed to snap, al
K / fell down senselesS with the pain.
of was terribly ill for months.
lp | returned to my business at la
ad Soon | heard of my uncle's beautif
IT. new wife; but no one who comment
" on her before me knew my secret. \
ry employers asked me about the marrial
and | replied that | had seen Mrs. w,
y, ton, and that she was very handsome
in Two years arterward / met Cecilia
e; one Of the city parks. She was strollil
te. leisurely, richly dressed, and Il serva
tie walked behind her, carrying an infa
ct for its airing. l watched her, unC
ife served, until she sat down beneath o
| of the shade-trees Of the park. Loo
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